There are 72 days between now and the opening game of the 2025 season for the New Orleans Saints. They'll kick off their year at home against the Arizona Cardinals.
After a 5-12 finish last season, the Saints will have a new coach on the sidelines in Kellen Moore. This will be their 59th year of existence in the NFL. Offensive tackle Josiah Ezirim currently wears number 72 for the Saints.
A seventh round choice in last year's draft, Ezirim spent his entire rookie campaign on the practice squad. He'll now try to become the 11th player in franchise history to wear 72 for New Orleans during the regular season.
Saints History of 72
Dec 11, 2016; New Orleans Saints tackle Terron Armstead (72) blocks Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Robert Ayers (91). Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images
Dec 11, 2016; New Orleans Saints tackle Terron Armstead (72) blocks Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Robert Ayers (91). Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images
• Earl Leggett, DT (1967-68)
• Dan Talbert, OT (1969-70)
• Joe Owens, DE (1971-75)
• Mike Fultz, DT (1977-80)
• Leon Gray, OT (1982-83)
• Chris Ward, OT (1984)
• Jim Dombrowski, G/T (1986-96)
• Wayne Gandy, OT (2003-05)
• Montavious Stanley, DT (2006)
• Terron Armstead, OT (2013-21)
• Josiah Ezirim, OT (2024-present)
Nov 29, 1970, FILE PHOTO; New Orleans Saints quarterback Billy Kilmer (17) and tackle Don Talbert (72) in action against the Cincinnati Bengals. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY NETWORK
Nov 29, 1970, FILE PHOTO; New Orleans Saints quarterback Billy Kilmer (17) and tackle Don Talbert (72) in action against the Cincinnati Bengals. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY NETWORK
The first to suit up in 72 for the Saints was Earl Leggett, who had 4 unofficial sacks in 20 games over the Saints first two seasons. Don Talbert was the first offensive player to wear 72, starting 28 games on the offensive line over his two years on the team.
Joe Owens played in 70 games for New Orleans over five years, making 37 starts. Mike Fultz was the first Saints draft choice to wear 72, getting selected in the second round. He'd be with the team for four years, recording 8.5 sacks in 49 outings.
Leon Gray's claim to New Orleans fame was the fact that he was the player that the Saints received in exchange for trading quarterback Archie Manning to the Houston Oilers.
A four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro with the New England Patriots and Oilers, Gray fell far short of that standard during his two-year stint in New Orleans. He played in 18 of a possible 25 games, but made no starts and retired after the 1983 campaign.
Nov 1, 1987; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Mike Gann (76) battles New Orleans Saints tackle Jim Dombrowski (72) blocks end Mike Gann and another Atlanta Falcons defender. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-Imagn Images
Nov 1, 1987; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Mike Gann (76) battles New Orleans Saints tackle Jim Dombrowski (72) blocks end Mike Gann and another Atlanta Falcons defender. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-Imagn Images
With the sixth choice in the first round of a strong 1986 NFL Draft for the Saints, they selected Jim Dombrowski, an All-American and future College Football Hall of Famer with the Virginia Cavaliers. Dombrowski would play his entire 11-year career with the Saints, playing in 151 games and making 137 starts. It is by far the most by any player to wear 72 for New Orleans.
Dombrowski started his career at left tackle, then moved inside to guard in his fourth season. He was the standout example on a physical and underrated Saints line through his career. In 2003, Dombrowski was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame.
Wayne Gandy joined the Saints as a free agent in 2003, becoming the first to wear 72 since Dombrowski retired in 1997. Gandy played three years in New Orleans, starting all of his 48 games.
Oct 25, 2021; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead (72) blocks against the Seattle Seahawks. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Oct 25, 2021; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead (72) blocks against the Seattle Seahawks. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Little-known offensive lineman Terron Armstead was a third round pick by the Saints out of tiny Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the 2013 NFL Draft. By the end of his rookie year, Armstead was the team's starting left tackle. He'd quickly become one of the most respected blockers in the NFL.
Armstead dealt with several injuries over his career. However, he was a dominant blocker for the running game and in pass protection. Armstead earned three Pro Bowls with the Saints, playing in 97 regular season games with 93 starts over nine years with the organization.
Josiah Ezirim will try to become the first player since Armstead to wear 72 for the Saints in the regular season. He didn't play at all as a rookie, despite injuries that decimated the offensive line and an alarming lack of depth up front. For Ezirim to make this year's roster, he'll have to show tremendous development from last season.