The greatest player in New Orleans Saints history will take his rightful place in the Caesars Superdome rafters Sunday afternoon.
In what had to be one of the easiest decisions the organization has ever had, Brees will be inducted into the Saints’ Ring of Honor during Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
If the Saints really want to give Brees what he deserves, they will someday erect a statue of him outside the Dome, too. But that’s a column for another day.
For now, let’s talk about who should be the next Saints to gain a spot in the Ring of Honor. The Ring of Honor commemorates former players, administrators and individuals with significant contributions to the franchise. It’s a far more exclusive club than the Saints Hall of Fame. The team Hall of Fame will have 63 members after Terron Armstead and Mark Ingram go in next month. The Ring of Honor, however, will have just nine people after No. 9 goes in Sunday. Brees will join Rickey Jackson, Archie Manning, Willie Roaf, Morten Andersen, Tom Benson, Will Smith, Sam Mills and Jahri Evans.
So who should be next?
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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) celebrates after throwing his sixth touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (Staff photo by Chuck Cook, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
Here is my list of some other Saints who deserve a spot.
Jim Mora
Truth be told,, Mora already should be up there. The Saints never finished above .500 in the franchise’s first 19 years of existence. In Year 20, Mora was hired and things began to change. Mora guided them to a 12-3 record in his second season, the first time they had ever reached double digits in wins. They made their first playoff appearance that season and went on to make the playoffs in four of Mora’s first seven seasons. Saints fans no longer had to wear those paper bags over their heads.
Jim Finks
The former general manager only spent seven seasons in New Orleans. But Finks hired Mora and was named the NFL’s executive of the year in 1986 after that 12-win season. His work in New Orleans, along with his time as general manager of the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears, earned him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995.
Sean Payton
The winningest coach in franchise history raised the bar in New Orleans. Payton is to coaches what Brees is to players in Saints’ lore. Anyone who ever coaches the Saints will be measured against the standard Payton set. Because of what the Saints did in the Payton-Brees era, the expectations around here are different. All the wins and the Super Bowl are enough. But also throw in the fact that Payton arrived here and helped breathe life into a city that was going through a very difficult time.
Mickey Loomis
While Finks took the Saints out of their dark days, the franchise under Loomis reached new heights. His 20-plus years include nine playoff trips, seven division titles and the franchise’s only Super Bowl title. Hiring Payton changed the franchise. The past few years haven’t been great, but that shouldn’t overshadow the entire body of work.
Pat Swilling and Vaughan Johnson
OK, so I’m cheating a little bit here with a 2-for-1 special. But all four members of the Dome Patrol should be in the ring. Jackson and Mills, both Pro Football Hall of Famers, are already up there. But the Dome Patrol was so iconic and respected around the entire NFL that all four members deserve a spot. Before Brees came along, the Dome Patrol was what the Saints were known for. So add Swilling and Johnson.
Cam Jordan
The defensive end is in Year 16. Nobody in team history has played more games in a Saints uniform than Jordan. He checks all the boxes, which is why he’s on my Mount Rushmore of Saints players. Longevity. Productivity. Durability. His work in the community. He’s done it all. He’s one sack away from passing the great Lawrence Taylor and moving to No. 15 on the all-time sacks list. His place in the Ring of Honor is a no-brainer, much like the guy who’s getting his spot Sunday.