Tag: Russell Erxleben

The 33rd Team names Russell Erxleben the Saints’ worst draft bust

The 33rd Team named former Texas Longhorns kicker Russell Erxleben the New Orleans Saints’ worst-ever NFL draft bust:

Look, the New Orleans Saints haven’t always been known as a team that drafts well. We’ve recapped the biggest misses under general manager Mickey Loomis, but their history of draft-day mistakes runs back decades. And it’s tough to argue with the case against Russell Erxleben.

A surprise pick at No. 11 overall way back in 1979, the former Texas Longhorns placekicker would have had to accomplish rare feats to avoid being called a bust in the first place. But his Saints career was miserable from the start. His very first game against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons ended in overtime with Erxleben mishandling a poorly-snapped ball, which he threw away and into the arms of a Falcons defender, who returned it for the game-winning touchdown.

Things didn’t improve. Initially drafted with the idea that he could fill in as both kicker and punter, Erxleben struggled to connect on field goals (completing just 4 of his 8 tries, with his longest score traveling just 38 yards), and he suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined him for much of his rookie season. He was off the team within five years, and out of football altogether for another four, before making a single-game comeback with the Detroit Lions in 1987.

So this draft pick was an abject disaster, and poor on-field performance doesn’t even get into the multiple prison sentences Erxleben has served in the decades sense for investment and securities fraud, totaling tens of millions of dollars in restitution. The Saints have made some bad choices on draft day. But if you’re looking for a worst-case scenario, it has to be Erxleben’s unfortunate career.

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Two Longhorns Named To All-Time All-American Team

Russell Erxleben and Tommy Nobis were named to ESPN’s All-Time All-American Team. Both players were first round selections in the NFL Draft.

In celebration of the 150 years of college football this year, ESPN put together their All-Time All-American team. For the Texas Longhorns they were represented among the team with two selections. The Longhorns football team has been playing this game since 1893.

Their first-team selection comes on the defensive side of the ball with linebacker Tommy Nobis. Nobis played from 1963-65. He was part of the National Championship team of 1963, that season the Longhorns defeated the Navy Midshipmen led by Roger Staubach in the Cotton Bowl 28-7. Texas finished the season with a perfect record of 11-0.

During his career, Nobis was named All-American in 1965. He would also win the Knute Rockne Memorial Trophy, the Maxwell Trophy and the Outland Trophy. Nobis’ number 60 jersey is retired by the Longhorns. He would be selected number one overall in the 1965 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons where his number 60 jersey is also retired.

Nobis would win Rookie of the Year in 1966. He was named to five Pro Bowl teams, First and Second Team All-Pro. Nobis was also inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor and part of the 1960’s Team of the Decade.

Former Texas Longhorns punter and kicker Russell Erxleben was also named to the All-Time All-Decade team as a punter. Erxleben set the then record for the longest kick in NCAA history when he hit a 67-yard field goal against Rice in 1977. He played three seasons for Texas from 1976-1978. He is the only three time All-American at punter in NCAA history.

In the 1979 NFL Draft, Erxleben was drafted in the first round by the New Orleans Saints. He averaged 40.6 yards per punt on 280 attempts for the Saints and Detroit Lions. Russell’s son, Ryan was also a punter for Texas Tech from 2009-2013.