Countdown to New Orleans Saints Kickoff: A History of No. 32

The New Orleans Saints will begin their 2017 journey on the road. They venture north, to play the Minnesota Vikings in a national telecast on Monday night football. The game is in only 32 days, and Canal Street Chronicles continues our journey to kickoff today by looking back at some of the Saints players that have worn the No. 32.

Antowain Smith (RB, 2005)

Smith had a solid 9-year career as a running back in the NFL. He rushed for over 800 yards four times (2 with Buffalo and 2 with New England), and won a Super Bowl championship with the '01 Patriots, rushing for 1,157 yards and 12 touchdowns. Smith joined the Saints as a free agent in 2005, what would turn out to be his final season in the league. He led the Saints with 659 rushing yards and 3 scores, standing out as one of the few offensive bright spots in a 3-13 season.

Jabari Greer (CB, 2009)

Greer was spotlighted once already in our countdown, for having a standout career from 2010-13 while wearing No. 33. His first season with the Saints after being obtained as a free agent, however, Greer sported the number 32. He was almost an instant leader in the Saints secondary, and was regarded by many as their best cover cornerback, often taking on the responsibility of the opponent's best receiver in man coverage. Greer started the first half of the season in 2009, recording 2 interceptions and a fumble recovery, before an injury forced him to sit out most of the last half of the season. Fortunately, he recovered in time for the Saints push through the playoffs on their way to winning Super Bowl XLIV.

Kenny Vaccaro (S, 2013-current)

New Orleans drafted Vaccaro with the 15th overall selection of the 1st round in 2013, and plugged him in as an immediate starter at safety. Vaccaro responded by starting 14 games, finishing second on the team in tackles, and being named to the NFL All-Rookie team. Vaccaro enters his 5th year with the Saints, perennially among the team lead in tackles, with 5 career interceptions, 6 sacks, and 6 fumbles either forced or recovered. The 27 year old has become an "elder statesman" of the Saints starting secondary, emerging as one of it's team leaders as New Orleans looks to rebuild it's defense.

Other Saints players to wear No. 32: Tom Barrington (1967-70), Lincoln Minor (1973), Jimmy DeRatt (1975), Kim Jones (1976-79), Scott Stauch (1981), Vernon Perry (1983), Darrel Toussaint (1987), Paul Frazier (1989), Mark Lee (1991), Vaughn Dunbar (1992-95), Ernest Hunter (1996), Aaron Craver (1998-99), Jerald Moore (2000), Ki-Jana Carter (2003-04), Johnny Patrick (2011-12)