Countdown to New Orleans Saints Kickoff: A History of No. 79

The New Orleans Saints open the 2017 season with a Monday night tilt on the road against the Minnesota Vikings, just 79 days from today. To celebrate, Canal Street Chronicles continues our countdown to kickoff with a look at some of the Saints players who have worn No. 79.

Lou Cordileone (OG/DT, 1967-1968)

A 1960 1st round draft pick of the New York Giants, Cordileone's most famous football achievement was being the player traded by the Giants to obtain quarterback Y.A. Tittle from the San Francisco 49ers. After bouncing around the league a bit, Cordileone joined the Saints for their first season in 1967, and played his final season with New Orleans as well in '68. He appeared in 24 games with the Saints, and recorded his only career interception during his final year in the league.

Emanuel Zanders (OG, 1974-1980)

Zanders was a staple of the Saints offensive line from 1975-80, starting 41 of 42 games between '75 and '77, and another 32 straight between '79 and '80. He was part of a line that paved the way for star backs Chuck Muncie and Tony Galbreath to shine, including the franchise's first 1,000-yard rusher (Muncie) in 1979. Zanders was a team captain for three years, and in 1979 was voted the Saints lineman of the year. He left New Orleans after the 1980 season to play one final year with the Chicago Bears.

Bryce Harris (OT, 2012-2014, present)

Harris joined the Saints in 2012, and appeared in all 32 of the team's games in 2013 and '14. Used primarily as an extra lineman in short yardage and goal line packages, he was part of an offensive unit that was one of the most difficult to defend in the NFL. After stints on the practice squads of three teams over the past 2 seasons, Harris re-joined New Orleans this offseason.

Other Saints players to wear No. 79: Clovis Swinney (1970), Chuck Slaughter (1982), Henry Thomas (1987), Glenn Derby (1989-90), Tory Epps (1995), Troy Wilson (1998), Mike Halapin (1999), Jimmy Verdon (2005), Rob Petitti (2006)