Countdown to New Orleans Saints Kickoff: A History of No. 90

We sit only three months away from a new football season. The New Orleans Saints open their new campaign by traveling north to take on the Vikings on Monday, Sept. 11. Canal Street Chronicles continues our own countdown, with a historical glance at the Saints players who have worn the number 90.

Some player information courtesy of Pro Football Reference.

James Williams (LB, 1990-1994)

Williams came to the Saints as a 6th round draft pick from Mississippi State in 1990. Despite joining a team absolutely loaded at the linebacker position, Williams made the team and went on to contribute two interceptions, the only three sacks of his career, and the only touchdown of his career while backing up the "Dome Patrol" for five seasons. Upon leaving New Orleans, Williams bounced around with three different teams over his final four years in the league.

Jared Tomich (DE, 1997-2000)

Tomich was drafted by Mike Ditka's Saints in 1997's second round with hopes that the defensive star from Nebraska would be able to provide the same sort of force that Ditka was accustomed to from his Chicago Bears squads. While that never came close to fruition, Tomich did show some decent pass rush ability at times, taking down the quarterback six times in 1998 for a career-high. Tomich was out of the league by 2001, never fulfilling the promise he showed with his dominating collegiate teams.

Nick Fairley (DT, 2016-present)

Fairley was a dominating defender for a National Championship Auburn team that was taken as the 13th overall selection in the first round of the 2011 draft by the Detroit Lions. After four somewhat disappointing years with the Lions, and another with the St. Louis Rams, Fairley was labelled by many as a draft "bust". That is, until he signed on with the Saints prior to the 2016 season.

Fairley played, and started, all 16 games for the first time in his career. Finishing with a career-high in sacks (6.5), and tackles, Fairley most definately showed why he was such a coveted player coming out of college. The Saints thought so highly of him that they rewarded Fairley with a lucrative 4-year contract this past March. Unfortunately, he was recently diagnosed with a heart condition that could jeopardize the continued playing career of the 29-year-old Fairley. He is currently undergoing a third medical evaluation, and all our thoughts and prayers continue to be with him for a clean bill of health.

Other Saints to wear No. 90: Walter Johnson (1989), Israel Stanley (1995), Kenny Smith (2001-2003), DeMario Pressley (2009), Shaun Rogers (2011), Turk McBride (2011-2012), Tavaris Barnes (2015).