Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Darren Sproles had one historic year, but Marcus Williams had durability. Who was the better Saints player to wear No. 43 for New Orleans? Our staff writers made their picks:
This was a fun debate: who wore No. 43 better for the New Orleans Saints out of running back Darren Sproles and free safety Marcus Williams? Both standouts left their mark on Saints history, and they each have a strong case to be called the best to ever wear their shared jersey number.
Our staff writers made their picks, but you can share yours in the poll below:
Jonathan Vilma shared his take on the best-ever Saints team, acknowledging that ‘I don’t think about that season as a success’ in an interview with his old teammate Lance Moore
[anyclip pubname=”2123″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8169″]
Here’s a great interview from former New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who recently talked shop with his former teammate Lance Moore for Boot Krewe Media. When asked to share his take on the best-ever Saints team regardless of the season’s result, Vilma took a painful trip down memory lane.
“2011, it’s 2011,” Vilma said. “Bro, to be very frank for everyone that’s watching us, we felt like that season was a disappointment when we lost — especially the way we lost — to San Francisco. Like we were supposed to run all the way back to the Super Bowl. It still hurts to this day when I think about that season. I don’t think about that season as a success. All the records you guys broke offensively, we were humming on defense. And then we literally just s— the bed with a minute left in the damn game.”
Vilma grimaced, adding, “God knows how we let Alex Smith score a touchdown on us.”
That 2011 Saints team is the stuff of legend, rebounding from a stunning upset loss to the winless Rams in Week 8 to claim victory in each of the eight games left on their regular season schedule — including a 49-24 dismantling of the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants. Drew Brees broke Dan Marino’s single-season passing yards record, and four different players racked up 900 or more scrimmage yards while scoring six or more touchdowns:
But as Vilma said, it all came undone when Smith led a miraculous comeback in the playoffs. That Saints-49ers divisional-round matchup is widely considered one of the best playoff games of all time. The game featured four lead changes in the final four minutes, including touchdown catches of 44 yards and 66 yards by Sproles and Graham, respectively. But it came down to a 28-yard touchdown by Smith and a 14-yard scoring pass to Vernon Davis in the closing seconds to wipe that all away.
It’s a shame. If the Saints had won that game, they’d have hosted the same Giants team they ran off the field at midseason, and then all that stood in their way was a vulnerable New England Patriots squad. As Vilma said, it’s the one that got away.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3]
Darren Sproles said he planned to sign with the Falcons after the Saints made plans to cut him, prompting them to trade him to the Eagles instead:
[anyclip pubname=”2103″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8036″]
You’d be hard-pressed to find a free agent signing who excited New Orleans Saints fans as strongly as Darren Sproles, who immediately made an impact on the Saints’ offense and special teams units when they padded him back in 2011. Sproles spoke about his experience in the NFL and New Orleans on the Truss Levelz podcast with Cameron Jordan and Mark Ingram II.
But things fell apart by 2013, as Sproles’ usage on offense became more predictable and opposing defenses began to key in on their intentions. Sproles said he planned to sign with a division rival after the Saints made plans to cut him, prompting them to trade him instead.
“Sean (Payton) called us and was like, ‘We’re going to release you,'” Sproles said, thinking back on the phone call with his agent. He saw an upside in that split because it would allow him to choose his destination, “Cool, go ahead, then I’ll get to pick where I go. Two days later and they still hadn’t released me, my agent’s on the phone with the Falcons, the Saints had found out that I was going to go to the Falcons so they was like, ‘Oh, no, we’re just going to trade (you).'”
Obviously, that’s not what the outcome he hoped for, and Atlanta wasn’t going to cut a deal with New Orleans to get him. So other trade partners emerged — with Sproles vetoing one of them right away.
“So the two teams was Philly, Minnesota, and the Redskins. I told my agent if they traded me to the Redskins, I’m not going. That was going to be a jacked-up trade, I’m not going,” Sproles said, referring to the chronic organizational disruption that has plagued Washington’s team over the years.
Instead, he went to another NFC East team and found more success. Sproles earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition with the Eagles, as well as a Super Bowl ring. He finished, “Everything happened for a reason. I wanted the Saints mad at that trade, you know what I’m saying? And they was. That (expletive) hurt me though.”
Were the Saints feeling some remorse about parting ways with Sproles? Payton has all but said as much, gushing about everything he brought to the Eagles offense ahead of their matchup in the 2018 playoffs, which was a sentiment shared by Drew Brees. In the end, Sproles experienced continued success and found more opportunities in Philadelphia, where he began working in the Eagles personnel department back in 2020. It’s a shame he didn’t finish his playing career in New Orleans, but Sproles certainly left his mark on the Saints.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3]
If the rookie can have that type of production, he and the Dolphins would probably be very happy.
[connatix div_id=”3f8b015acdd24c648befc5d5dac47469″ player_id=”afe1e038-d3c2-49c0-922d-6511a229f69c” cid=”7cbcea0d-4ce2-4c75-9a8d-fbe02a192c24″]
The Miami Dolphins are wrapping up their rookie minicamp on Monday, which included the four drafted rookies, 21 undrafted rookies and a number of players who received tryouts.
One rookie who hopes to make an impact in his first season is third-round pick De’Von Achane.
The running back had a solid career at Texas A&M, recording 2,376 yards and 21 touchdowns on 6.4 yards per carry. However, he now enters a backfield that includes four veterans and an undrafted rookie.
Prior to the start of his rookie campaign, Achane has heard the comparisons that have been thrust his way to former Pro Bowl running back Darren Sproles.
“Yeah, I know who he is,” Achane told reporters on Friday. “He was one of the shorter backs like I am. Great running back. Like you said, all great running backs don’t have to be big, 6’3”, 6’4”. I feel like he’s a great example of that. So I feel like, like I said, everybody talks about my size, but I know what I’m capable of and I’m good at the size that I am right now.”
While Sproles (5-foot-6) may be a couple of inches shorter than Achane (5-foot-8) the two share more similarities than just their stature.
Both have shown the ability to be impressive pass-catchers and make plays with the ball in their hands. On top of that, they both have seen success on special teams.
Sproles played 14 years in the NFL, an extremely long career for a running back, especially one of his size. And, if the Dolphins can get that out of Achane, both sides would likely be ecstatic with how things turned out.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3]
Flashback Friday: Best performances from past Saints-Packers games
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
The New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers have combined for some incredible games over the years — last season’s tough home loss recalled a their 2011 matchup, both filled with exhilarating moments to pad out the highlight reel. Here are the most memorable plays in recent series history between the two storied franchises:
Drew Brees is as close to a first-ballot Hall of Fame lock as it gets. But which of his Saints teammates could join him in Canton someday?
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
At least one iconic former New Orleans Saints player will be watching the Pro Football Hall of Fame induct its 2021 class on Sunday night with attention — Drew Brees, the recently-retired quarterback-turned-NBC Sports broadcaster whose own eligibility will be considered in 2026. Brees arrived in 2006 along with head coach Sean Payton, ushering in the most successful period in franchise history, plus its first Super Bowl victory in 2009.
Brees’ own candidacy isn’t in doubt. He’s held every passing record anyone cares about at some point in his career and sustained his success for so long that no one can seriously question it. We’ll just have to keep an eye out for any funny business once his time is here — some of these same voters mistakenly picked Peyton Manning as the 2009 MVP over Brees while also awarding him just one All-Pro first team selection in all his years in the NFL. They’ve snubbed him before, though it’s unlikely to happen again in such a big spot.
So which of Brees’ teammates could join him with a bronze bust in Canton? Fan-favorites like Marques Colston and Thomas Morstead aren’t likely to make the cut. There are too many other deserving receivers lined up ahead of Colston like Hines Ward and Jimmy Smith, plus Torry Holt, Andre Johnson, and, annoyingly, Steve Smith. Morstead was incredibly consistent for so long in New Orleans, but punters just don’t get into the Hall of Fame — Ray Guy was the best to ever do it and he had to wait 28 years for enshrinement.
One Brees-era player with a great shot is right guard Jahri Evans, who racked up four All-Pro nods and made six Pro Bowl trips while starting a dozen years in the NFL. Evans was also recognized on the Hall of Fame’s All-Decade team for the 2010’s, which is a great indicator of his prospects. His accolades and accomplishments line up with the average Hall of Famer and that All-Decade team placement suggests plenty of voters are already in his corner. And he’s already eager to tell the world that he’s the best right guard in league history should he get voted in, starting in 2022.
There could be some murmuring in favor of Darren Sproles (who joined Evans on that All-Decade team) when his eligibility opens up in 2024, but he lacks the raw rushing production that most running backs have used to vault into the Hall of Fame. It’s worth considering that he was more effective as a receiver than as a traditional runner, but it’s a high bar for his position to earn enshrinement. I’m not convinced he’ll get in despite having put together such an impressive career.
Another name to watch is Cameron Jordan. He needs to pick up the pace after a down season in 2020, but he was a member of that 2010’s All-Decade team, too, and he’s very popular among the media voters that make these decisions. If he can claim Rickey Jackson’s franchise sacks record (Jordan has 94.5 against Jackson’s officially-recognized 115) or at least come close to it while winning a few more Pro Bowl nods, he’ll have a shot. You just have to wonder if Jordan’s career is slowing down to its inevitable stop.
Let’s not forget the prodigal son. Jimmy Graham’s career numbers nosedived after his 2015 trade away from New Orleans, but they’re still strong enough for him to get into the Hall of Fame. The average Hall of Famer has started ten years and earned three All-Pro first team spots, half a dozen Pro Bowl nods, and caught 588 receptions for 7,656 yards while scoring 52 touchdowns. Graham has won a single All-Pro first team award and made five Pro Bowls while catching 699 receptions for 8,339 yards and scoring 82 touchdowns. Unless there’s a strong push against him by voters, he should get in.
What about the next generation? Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas both started out on the right track, and Kamara’s otherworldly production on touchdown runs (he’s scored 43 in four years; the average Hall of Famer nets 86 in ten years) alone gives him a shot. To say nothing of his prolific numbers as a receiver. If he can maintain his level of play over the next five or six years, he’ll get a gold jacket someday.
Thomas is trickier. On one hand, he is one of the only two wide receiver to ever win the AP Offensive Player of the Year award, along with Jerry Rice (who did it twice). But on the other hand, between his recent injury issues and friction with the team, there’s a very real chance his career continues away from New Orleans, and at not-quite such a productive pace. Hopefully he turns things around soon to remain a playmaker in black and gold.
I’ll be curious to see where things go for Ryan Ramczyk and Terron Armstead. Armstead has been around for a longer time, but he didn’t start to receive his due credit on All-Pro voting until very recently. And while Armstead does get the Pro Bowl votes, Ramczyk got the jump on the All-Pro lists (with one first-team nod and two second-team placements). After signing a long-term extension this summer, Ramczyk might be in a better position to receive Hall of Fame enshrinement some day.
Oh, and watch out for Erik McCoy to start earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl consideration soon. Beyond being a great player in his own right, he’s going to get on everyone’s radar with a huge contract extension next summer as the pivot-point on one of the league’s best offensive lines. He has an opportunity to start winning those awards with Travis Frederick retiring, Corey Linsley moving to the AFC, and Jason Kelce approaching the end of his career. But Lions center Frank Ragnow got an early lead by earning the NFC spot on the 2020 Pro Bowl roster as well as second-team All-Pro placement behind Kelce.
So let’s see where it goes. If I’m making a way-too-early prediction (I’m not), I’d guess that Evans gets voted in for the 2022 class, while Brees joins him a few years later (conveniently right around the time New Orleans hosts its next Super Bowl, which NBC will broadcast). Colston, Morstead, and Sproles won’t get in. Graham and Jordan will get in, maybe as first-ballot entrants. Kamara and Ramczyk should, too, and Armstead and Thomas may follow after a couple years of debate. But we’re looking so far into the future for these younger stars that it’s tough to say anything in confidence. If their careers ended today they wouldn’t be certain to get in. So, remember, @OldTakesExposed: I’m not predicting anything.
[vertical-gallery id=47339]
A nice comparison for the rookie RB out of LSU from Kansas City Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill.
With the 32nd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Clyde Edwards-Helaire, running back, LSU.
“Who?”
That’s at least how I imagine Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill’s reaction went during the draft.
On Friday, Hill revealed to reporters that he didn’t know who Edwards-Helaire was when Kansas City first selected him in the draft. But once Hill did his research, watching highlights of Edwards-Helaire at LSU, he was impressed knew exactly what he was all about. Hill even likened Edwards-Helaire’s skillset to that of a former NFL great Darren Sproles.
“To be honest, I didn’t even know who that was at first,” Hill explained. “But then I looked at his highlights and I was like, ‘Dang this dude is short, but he’s good, he’s cold.’ I think he’s definitely going to be like a Darren Sproles type back, come in, scatback, who can catch the ball out of the backfield, get those scrimmage yards when you need them. It is going to be tough.”
Back in 2011, when Sproles became a free agent for the first time, Andy Reid and the Eagles were among his suitors. It’s definitely interesting that Hill sees Edwards-Helaire as a guy who has that same type of skillset. He adds yet another dimension to a bevy of offensive playmakers that were already difficult to defend. Perhaps the most exciting thing for Hill is just seeing the types of creative plays that Andy Reid will be able to come up with.
“I feel like with the mind of Andy Reid, anything is possible,” Hill said “He can line you up and gain 15 yards, which is crazy. He just takes over with it. And that’s not taking away from the amazing athletes that we have. Just saying, Coach Reid is a wizard with the way he draws these plays up.”
One thing is for certain, Reid will be able to really open up the playbook with the addition of Edwards-Helaire.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s NFL All-Decade Team for the 2010’s highlighted several New Orleans Saints stars, but snubbed Drew Brees.
[jwplayer saqLjTpc]
The Pro Football Hall of Fame released its NFL All-Decade Team, and three players familiar to New Orleans Saints fans made the cut. Right guard Jahri Evans and defensive end Cameron Jordan were joined by “flex” running back/punt returner Darren Sproles, who played 48 of his 195 career games (including the playoffs) in black and gold.
Evans and Jordan have spent nearly every NFL snap of their careers in New Orleans, with Jordan not missing a game since his rookie year in 2011. Originally drafted 24th overall out of California, Jordan has gone on to post historically-great numbers for the Saints. His 87 career sacks rank second-most in franchise history, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Rickey Jackson (115). If he keeps up the pace, that’s a title Jordan could claim for himself in a few years.
As for Evans: his NFL career turned out to be greater than anyone could have imagined, given where it started. He joined the Saints in 2006 as that year’s 108th overall pick out of Bloomburg, a small school in Pennsylvania. Five appearances on the All-Pro list (four times on the first team), six Pro Bowl nods, and a Super Bowl victory later, he has to be seen as one of the greatest offensive linemen in team history. It’s awesome to see him earn this recognition.
But it’s disappointing to see Drew Brees passed over in favor of Aaron Rodgers, who has accomplished less with a significantly better supporting cast over the last decade. Rodgers has been fortunate to work with a rotating cast of Pro Bowl wide receivers including Davante Adams, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Greg Jennings throughout the 2010’s, while none of Brees’ wide receivers reached the all-star game until Michael Thomas did so in 2017.
And that’s before you get into the defensive help; Rodgers was able to lean on Pro Bowl talents like defensive linemen B.J. Raji, Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark, Za’Darius Smith, and linebacker Clay Matthews (selected to five Pro Bowls), as well as defensive backs including Charles Woodson, Sam Shields, Nick Collins, Tramon Williams, and HaHa Clinton-Dix. Meanwhile, Brees was tearing his hair out while saddled with several of the worst defenses in NFL history.
So, sure, these selections are based off of individual performance. But you have to think Brees’ last ten years are perceived differently if he could have counted on his defense to hold a last-minute lead every now and then. Maybe the 2020’s will begin on a different note.
[lawrence-related id=25781,14685]
Fletcher Cox and Jason Peters are among four current or former Philadelphia Eagles named to the NFL’s All-Decade team
The NFL and the Pro Football Hall of Fame just announced the 2010s All-Decade Team consisting of 52 players and two head coaches.
The Buccanneers Tom Brady was one of just eight players unanimously voted to the squad.
Fletcher Cox was among four current or former Eagles named to the team, joining Jason Peters (free agent), LeSean McCoy (free agent) and Darren Sproles (retired).
OFFENSE
WR – Antonio Brown, Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones
TE – Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce
T – Jason Peters, Tyron Smith, Joe Saley, Joe Thomas
G – Jahri Evans, Logan Mankins, Zack Martin, Marshal Yanda
C – Alex Mack, Maurkice Pouncey
QB – Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers
RB – Frank Gore, Marshawn Lynch, LeSean McCoy, Adrian Peterson
Flex – Darren SprolesDEFENSE
DE – Calais Campbell, Cameron Jordan, Julius Peppers, J.J. Watt
DT – Geno Atkins, Fletcher Cox, Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh
LB – Chandler Jones, Luke Kuechly, Khalil Mack, Von Miller, Bobby Wagner, Patrick Willis
CB – Patrick Peterson, Darrelle Revis, Richard Sherman
S – Eric Berry, Earl Thomas, Eric Weddle
DB – Chris Harris, Tyrann MathieuSPECIAL TEAMS
P – Johnny Hekker, Shane Lechler
K – Stephen Gostkowski, Justin Tucker
PR – Tyreek Hill, Darren Sproles
KR – Devin Hester, Cordarrelle PattersonCOACHES
Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll
Brady was also a member of the All 2000s team as well, further cementing his GOAT status.
Jason Kelce was a notable snub at the center position, along with Zach Ertz, who has a case for being named over Travis Kelce.
Players like Lane Johnson, Brandon Brooks, and Ertz are notable candidates for the next all-decade team.
[vertical-gallery id=632128]
The New Orleans Saints have signed some big-time veterans in unrestricted free agency, with Drew Brees clearly on top. But who’s behind him?
Which free agent additions rank highest in the Sean Payton era? The New Orleans Saints have signed many contributors off the open market, but their misses (Jairus Byrd, Brandon Browner, Jason David) haven’t convinced them to change an always-aggressive approach. Seriously, the list of veterans added since 2006 is long — just off the cuff, the names that come to mind include Keenan Lewis, Curtis Lofton, Nick Fairley, Ben Grubbs, Delvin Breaux, Brodrick Bunkley, David Hawthorne, Craig Robertson, and Scott Fujtia.
While Jonathan Vilma is one of the greatest Saints in the recent era, it’s important to remember that he was acquired in a trade with the New York Jets, not as a veteran free agent.
But which five players would you pick out as the greatest free agent signings in recent Saints history — since 2006, when Payton took the job and ushered in a new era of football in New Orleans? We gave it our best shot in the ranking you’ll find below.
Where were you when Sproles played his first game with the Saints, in the 2011 season-opener? He inspired a furious comeback effort with a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown, and didn’t let off the gas during his 48-game stint for New Orleans. While he stuck around for just three years before getting traded to the Philadelphia Eagles (where he went on to play six seasons before joining their front office), Sproles was an electric jolt to the Saints offense as both a receiver (averaging 45 receiving yards per game) and as a runner (logging 5.7 yards per carry), despite his smaller stature.
Greer has a case to make as the best non-Marshon Lattimore cornerback to play for the Saints since 2006. If not for his ugly, unfortunate 2013 knee injury (which ended his career with just 66 games played for New Orleans, including the playoffs), Greer would be remembered even better as someone the Saints recruited in free agency before their 2009 title run. But the stats speak for themselves: Greer’s 68 regular season pass deflections rank second-best in Saints history.
While he did take a step back in 2019, there’s not much to complain about with the overall steadiness of Warford’s play since he joined the Saints. He’s a solid pass protector (who, like many guards, should not be tasked with single-blocking Aaron Donald) and a great run blocker, who almost single-handedly enabled a few touchdown runs in the 2018 playoffs by pushing Carolina Panthers defensive tackles out of the back of the end zone. Warford has made the Pro Bowl as an alternate in each of his first three yars in New Orleans; let’s see if he can make it four-for-four.
Davis deserves serious props for stepping up his game since landing in New Orleans. The Saints signed him expecting a productive linebacker and a good locker room presence; instead, he’s beaten those expectations by becoming the best three-down linebacker in the NFL, a vocal leader of the team, and a tireless advocate for justice off the field. If not for Brees himself, Davis would be the easy choice for top free agent signing in recent Saints history. Now can they please work out a contract extension to ensure he retires in black and gold?
Brees has done it all. He won the first Super Bowl victory in Saints history. He elevated the team’s national brand from a Cleveland Browns-esque laughing stock to an annual title contender. He’s broken just about record out there, surpassing other NFL greats like Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady. He’s a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee and maybe the best free agent signing of any team in the history of this league, much less New Orleans.
[lawrence-related id=14685]
