On this day in Saints history-December 30th 1987—WDSU-TV aired “A Long Time Coming: The ’87 Saints”, a look back at the club’s first-ever winning season & preview of upcoming first-ever playoff game hosted by Ed Daniels & Ro Brown. 2000—Saints finally win their first-ever playoff game, 31-28 over the Rams in the Superdome. The Saints had a 31-7 lead after scoring three unanswered TDs in the third & early fourth quarters before the Rams slowly came back with 3 TDs of their own (Rams QB Kurt Warner with 2 TD passes & a TD run). With 1:50 left in the game, Rams return man Az Hakim fumbled a Saints Toby Gowin punt at his own 10-yard line which was recovered by Saints FB Brian Milne to seal the victory. The game is also remembered for radio play-by-play man Jim Henderson’s call of the play, “Hakim dropped the ball, Hakim dropped the ball.” Saints DT La’Roi Glover has one fumble recovery, WR Joe Horn leaves game in first quarter with an ankle injury opening the door for WR Willie Jackson (142 yards) who has three TD catches to tie a then NFL playoff record. Saints safety Sammy Knight has two INTs. Rams RB Marshall Faulk has 123 combined yards, WR Issac Bruce has 127 yards & a TD. Rams offense has five turnovers, Saints two. 2001—Saints lose on Sunday Night (ESPN) 40-10 after a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. Saints LB Darrin Smith has 13 tackles, Saints threw three INTs and lost a fumble. Redskins defense has four sacks, Saints two. Redskins RB Stephen Davis has 111yards & a TD, Brett Conway has four fieldgoals. Redskins have four rushing TDs (2 by RB Ki-Jana Carter). Saints only TD by RB Deuce McAllister, WR Michael Lewis has 120 kick return yards. 2007—Saints close out the season with a 33-25 loss at Chicago to finish the season 7-9. Saints WR Marques Colston has 2 TD catches, RB Pierre Thomas has 1 TD catch plus has a rare milestone with 105 rushing yards & 121 receiving yards, safety Roman Harper has two sacks. Bears WR Devin Hester has 106 return yards including a 64-yard TD punt return, also has a 53-yard TD catch from QB Kyle Orton (2 TD passes). Bears defense has 3 sacks including a safety after Saints guard Jahri Evans is called for holding in the endzone. Each defense has an INT and 2 fumble recoveries. 2012—Saints lose at home to Carolina 44-38 & finish the season 7-9. Saints TDs by WR Marques Colston (2), LB Jonathan Vilma (18-yard INT runback), TE Jimmy Graham, & RB Darren Sproles (catch). Saints Garrett Hartley makes a 53-yard fieldgoal. For the 12th time in Saints history that have dual 100-yard receivers (Graham-121, WR Lance Moore-115). Turning point of game came with 10:06 left in 3rd quarter where Panthers TE Greg Olsen was awarded a catch, officials ruled after Saints challenge the ball came loose (forced by S Roman Harper) before Olsen hit the ground but couldn’t tell if DB Johnny Patrick’s feet were in bounds while recovering the football, Carolina kept the ball & scored shortly afterwards on a 54-yard TD run by RB DeAngelo Williams (has 2 TDs & 210 yards), Panthers RB Michael Tolbert has 3 TDs, Graham Gano has 3 FGs, LB Luke Kuechly has 10 tackles, DE Charles Johnson has 2 sacks. Saints Drew Brees becomes first NFL QB to throw for at least 5000 yards in each of three seasons. Saints defense sets NFL season record for most opposing yards given up with 7042 (gave up 530 to Carolina). Today’s birthdays: Chris Bordano—Born in 1974 (Linebacker 1998-99) Paul Boudreau—Born in 1949 (Offensive Line Coach 1987-93) Kerry Collins—Born in 1972 (Quarterback 1998) Signed during the season after Carolina released him Kyle Eckel—Born in 1981 (Fullback 2009) Heath Evans—Born in 1978 (Fullback 2009-10) Part of Superbowl 44 team *Odell Lawson—Born in 1948 (Fullback 1973-74) He passed away February 14, 2008, known as “Butch” Bob Pollard—Born in 1948 (Defensive Tackle 1971-77) Saints Hall of Famer
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 04:30:47 +0000