Tag: Joe Horn

Alvin Kamara won another Saints franchise record against the Giants

Alvin Kamara won yet another Saints franchise record against the Giants. No player has had more seasons with 1,000-plus scrimmage yards in team history:

Don’t look now, but Alvin Kamara has won yet another New Orleans Saints franchise record during his performance against the New York Giants. No player has had more seasons with 1,000-plus scrimmage yards in team history — a feat Kamara has now accomplished seven times.

Kamara went into Sunday’s matchup with 966 scrimmage yards through his first 10 games in 2023, and he went the distance midway through the third quarter to join the Comma Club again. Here are the leaders in Saints franchise history for 1,000-yard seasons:

  • RB Alvin Kamara: 7
  • WR Marques Colston: 6
  • WR Michael Thomas, RB Mark Ingram II, RB Deuce McAllister, and WR Joe Horn: 4
  • WR Eric Martin, RB Ricky Williams: 3

Kamara’s impact on the Saints can’t be understated: he’s a rare talent who landed in the perfect spot to make the most of his talents with Drew Brees throwing to him and Sean Payton drawing up his plays to start his career. And he’s still producing. Hopefully he can keep it going for years to come.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Cowboys won’t be fined for celebration that cost Michael Thomas $30,000

The Cowboys reportedly won’t be fined for a celebration that cost Michael Thomas $30,000:

Here’s a double standard from the league office. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissesro reports that the Dallas Cowboys will not be fined for their celebratory antics in their Thanksgiving Day win over the Washington Commanders — with players having stashed turkey legs inside Salvation Army kettles near the end zones to enjoy after scoring a big touchdown.

That’s the good news. This celebration didn’t hurt or upset anyone; if anything, it led to an outpouring of fan engagement on social media. Using props in celebrations like this may be against the rules, but it’s not harmful, and it’s good that the players were not punished for it.

Now the bad news. It’s a double standard by the NFL to not penalize anyone with fines after the league office took $30,000 from Michael Thomas. The New Orleans Saints wide receiver paid tribute to Joe Horn’s iconic cell phone celebration in a 2018 win against the Los Angeles Rams, having hidden flip phones under each goalpost to poste with in the event of a score. His game-winning touchdown catch met the criteria, and it was a widely-lauded moment.

But the NFL didn’t think so. And it’s not right for commissioner Roger Goodell and his decision-makers in New York to punish some players and let others get off scot-free. Unless they’re giving the green light for props in celebrations by not issuing any fines to Cowboys players, the league office should be consistent with this policy. It’s great that no one in Dallas lost money because of it. It’s a shame that Thomas did, and that other players likely will in the future. Either have the policy and enforce it fairly, or don’t bother with it all.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Every 1,000-yard receiver in New Orleans Saints history

Marques Colston, Michael Thomas, and Joe Horn have the most 1,000-yard seasons in Saints history. Overall, there have been 27 such seasons. | @southexclusives

In the Drew Brees-Sean Payton era, the New Orleans Saints became known for their high powered offense and gaudy passing yards. That era from 2006-2020 alone produced 15 of the 27 1,000 yard receiving seasons in team history. Those years were highlighted by the leading receiver in team history, Marques Colston, the only receiving threat with multiple First Team All Pro selections, Michael Thomas, and one of the best tight ends in the league, Jimmy Graham. The Saints finished with two 1,000 yard receivers in 2011 (Colston, Graham), 2012 (Colston, Lance Moore), and 2016 (Brandin Cooks, Thomas.)

Prior to this era, Saints wide receivers were highlighted by Joe Horn and Eric Martin. Horn hit the ground running with three consecutive seasons over 1,250 yards upon his arrival in New Orleans in 2000. Martin was the lead receiver from the late 1980’s to early 1990’s.

The first Saints 1,000 yard receiver was Danny Abramowicz and the latest is Chris Olave. Here is a breakdown of those two and every receiver to cross the century mark in the Black & Gold.

Tyrann Mathieu says Joe Horn was his first favorite Saints player

There aren’t many New Orleans Saints players who can say they grew up as a fan of the team, but Tyrann Mathieu can. He says Joe Horn was his first favorite Saints player:

There aren’t many players on the New Orleans Saints’ roster who can say they grew up as a fan of the team, but Tyrann Mathieu can. The hometown hero has deep roots in the city, and like a lot of fans he recalls growing up watching games locally on the family TV. And when the Saints asked their followers on Twitter to name their first favorite player in black and gold, he was quick to respond: Joe Horn.

That’s probably a common sentiment for many Saints fans. Horn was a superstar in New Orleans, earning four Pro Bowl nominations from 2000 to 2004 and setting multiple team receiving records. In 2004, he ranked second-best in the NFL with 1,399 receiving yards. When he left the team in 2006, his 50 career touchdown receptions were also a team record, though he was eventually surpassed by tight end Jimmy Graham (51) and wide receiver Marques Colston (72).

Still, “Hollywood” Joe Horn left his mark on New Orleans as one of the most prolific receivers in franchise history. Fans like Mathieu have a lot of fond memories from his heyday. And as a rare fan-turned-player, Mathieu knows exactly what sort of standard Horn set for those who’d get to wear the fleur-de-lis after him.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[stnvideo key=”VMKiH82I5R-2470349-7618″ type=”float”]

Where Michael Thomas ranks amongst all-time Saints WRs

If the Saints and Michael Thomas are heading toward a split, here’s where the wideout stacks up amongst all-time WRs in franchise history, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

After having reworked his contract, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas looks like he could be on his way out this offseason. That’s a disappointing end to what was an exhilarating opening to the 2022 season in which Thomas played a large role in the Saints mounting their largest come-from-behind victory in franchise history against the Atlanta Falcons. But unfortunately, injuries have continued to mount up for the two-time All-Pro keeping him off the field for the better part of the last three seasons.

When healthy, Thomas is one of the most dominant talents at wideout in the league. He became the first pass-catcher in Saints history to bring in 100 or more receptions in a single season back in 2017 and would then go on to cross the century mark the two seasons following. And famously, in of those seasons (2019) he broke the NFL single-season receptions record with 149. However, since then Thomas has appeared in just 10 games totaling 56 catches for 609 receiving yards. He also has 3 touchdown receptions during that time, but all of them took place in his trio of 2022 games.

If this is it for Thomas, he’ll be remembered as a great Saints player, one of the best receivers to don the black and gold. Even though his injury history may distract from that point here and there. To illustrate just how good Thomas has been for New Orleans despite his relatively short time with the team, here is where he ranks amongst some of the best Saints receivers of all-time:

Referee knocks over Cam Bynum resulting in Commanders touchdown

You can’t make up the Vikings’ bad luck

The Minnesota Vikings had a tremendous first drive of the game but the second half didn’t start off well at all with the Commanders scoring a touchdown on the opening drive.

Unfortunately for the Vikings, they were on the wrong end of an incredibly fluky play as Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel caught a 49-yard touchdown to take a 10-7 lead.

What made the play so fluky? The back judge ran right into safety Camryn Bynum causing him to get knocked down instead of a likely interception.

Unfortunately for the Vikings, this isn’t something that can be changed. The referee is a part of the field of play and it ends up as an unfortunate, poor result for the purple and gold.

This isn’t the first time that it’s happened. The most notable was to Joe Horn and the New Orleans Saints back in 2001.

Hopefully, the Vikings can overcome this and find a way to win the game.

[lawrence-related id=68556]

[listicle id=68555]

Michael Thomas surpasses Joe Horn, ranks No. 3 among Saints receptions leaders

Michael Thomas surpassed Joe Horn on Sunday to rank No. 3 among the Saints’ all-time receptions leaders. Only Eric Martin and Marques Colston are still ahead of him:

Michael Thomas made New Orleans Saints history on Sunday, totaling 5 catches for 49 yards against the Carolina Panthers, converting 3 first downs. Those added to his career numbers, which mean he’s up to 526 receptions in a Saints uniform — he’s now surpassed Joe Horn (523) to rank No. 3 among the franchise’s all-time receptions leaders. Only Eric Martin (532) and Marques Colston (711) are still ahead of Thomas.

So he’s got a realistic shot at lapping Martin in the near future, though that hinges on the severity of his new toe injury. He was questionable to return on Sunday before the team later downgraded his status, so we’ll hope that was a precautionary move. It’s something to watch out for when the first Saints injury report drops on Wednesday.

As for Thomas’ standing in the record books: he’s now up to 6,121 receiving yards, which trails Horn (7,622), Martin (7,854), and Colston (9,759) for the all-time lead. The expanded regular season could give him a real shot at reaching 7,000 yards if he maintains his current pace, but it’ll be close. It depends on whether he misses time with this toe injury or if anything else gets in the way, and whether the Saints passing game can truly find its footing.

Still, it goes to show how special his talent is, even after injuries kept him sidelined for most of the last two seasons. More consistent quarterback play will do a lot to help his case, but Thomas is still on track to end his Saints career as one of the finest receivers to ever wear black and gold.

[sendtonews_embed video_id=”2x0IW4gocz-2261125-7498″]

[listicle id=116294]

Jahri Evans nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023

Legendary Saints right guard and Super Bowl 44 champion Jahri Evans has been nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023:

Now this is cool to see. Legendary New Orleans Saints right guard and Super Bowl XLIV champion Jahri Evans has been nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023, making him the first Saints player from their 2009 title-winning squad with a serious, credible case at being enshrined in Canton. It’ll be a few more years before his Super Bowl-winning teammates like Drew Brees will be eligible for consideration.

Evans, 39, played his last snap in 2017 after being named to six consecutive Pro Bowls and earning four spots on the AP All-Pro first team offense, also being selected for the very exclusive Hall of Fame All-2010’s Team. He joined the Saints for training camp this summer as a coaching intern, working with the offensive line.

Still, stacked as that resume is he’ll face stiff competition with 10 finalists returning from last year’s group and 8 other strong first-year candidates, including former Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas and cornerback Darrelle Revis, a seven-time Pro Bowler.

Other players nominated for the Class of 2023 who suited up for New Orleans include wide receiver Joe Horn, defensive tackle La’Roi Glover, and linebacker Pat Swilling, among others. The list will be trimmed down from 129 initial nominees to 25 semifinalists in November, with 15 finalists announced in January. Enshrinement will take place next summer.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=109493]

7 former Saints nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022

ICYMI: 7 former Saints nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022

Seven former New Orleans Saints players are among the 122 modern-era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022, all of whom have been up for consideration before. There are two prominent members of the legendary Dome Patrol defense in Pat Swilling and the late Sam Mills, as well as fan-favorite wide receiver Joe Horn. Mills has repeatedly made it to the finalist stage, but to no avail.

The list of 122 modern-era nominees will be thinned down to 25 semifinalists in November, and then further whittled down to 18 finalists in January. Only five members of that group will ultimately be enshrined in Canton, Ohio next summer. Here are the seven former Saints to make the initial cut:

10 facts about Panthers No. 8 overall draft pick CB Jaycee Horn

The Carolina Panthers selected South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. Here are 10 facts surrounding the pick.

The Carolina Panthers have quarterback taken care of with Sam Darnold, which is whey they went with former South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

Here are 10 facts surrounding the Panthers’ selection of Horn.