There’s very little doubt that Archie Manning has become the Saints most memorable player in their history, but he’s probably not the best. When it comes to the best player in Saints’ history, I’m very tempted to lean the way of the absurdly dominant, Willie Roaf.

I’d like to take a step back from Roaf though — just one more generation — to the DOME PATROL.

It’s almost mandatory to own the following cards, if you’re a real Saints fan.

1. Ricky Jackson, 1984 Topps Football Card #303

Outside linebacker for the Saints during their Dome Patrol period, Jackson was probably the most skilled of the bunch.  Jackson still holds the All-Time career record for most sacks with 123.  Jackson was an absolute beast that eventually moved onto San Francisco to win his title.  Jackson was voted to 6 Pro Bowls and probably amongst the top-5 Saints of all-time.

2. Sam Mills, 1988 Topps Football Card #65

Mills was absolutely tiny for a linebacker at the NFL-level at 5’9″.  That’s why he didn’t originally stick in the league, or even the Canadian Football League for that matter. But Mills found a home with Jim Mora in the USFL and eventually followed him to the Saints.  Four games into his NFL career and he was a starting Middle Linebacker. Some of the younger generation may remember Mills as not a Saints’ ‘backer, but rather that old guy that played so well for the most successful expansion team of all-time — The Carolina Panthers.  In ’96, as a 37-year old, Sam Mills made his fifth and final Pro-Bowl with those very same Panthers. With the Saints, Sam made the Pro-Bowl in ’87, ’88, ’91 and ’92 and formed the second piece of a deadly Saints’ linebacker crew.

3. Pat Swilling, 1988 Topps Football Card #66

Pat Swilling was the second outside linebacker and earned five Pro Bowl invitations, himself.  In 1991, Pat Swilling had 17 quarterback sacks and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Earlier this year, Swilling was named to the College Football Hall of Fame as a Georgia State Yellow Jacket.

4. Vaughan Johnson, 1989 Score Football Card #65

Last but not least, Johnson was an All-Pro with the Saints from ’89 to 92.  Johnson, like Sam Mills, also played in the USFL to start his career before making his way to the Saints. This entire group, the Dome Patrol, went on to lead the league in sacks in 1992 and together all made the Pro Bowl. Crazy.

Card: 1964 Topps Football #92

Team/Position: Kansas City Chiefs / Defensive Tackle

Cost: $6.00

There’s so much history wrapped up in this card I’m just not sure where to start.  Rather than digging into the history of Topps, the AFL, or Buck Buchanan right off the bat; I’ll just discuss the overall appearance of the card.  While ’64 can’t compare to the downright gold that is the 1965 Topps set; I love the bold colours and star-spangled border.

When you compare the ’64 Topps to it’s NFL-counterpart, the ’64 Philadelphia, it’s really a matter of taste.  The AFL cards are flashy and filled with bright colours, while the NFL cards are beautiful in more of a historical kinda way.

Topps was limited to only producing AFL cards from ’64 to ’67 and this was their real first effort.  You can see the beginnings of the ’65 set in the bright colours and great poses of the ’64 set.

Now onto Junious “Buck” Buchanan:

Buck Buchanan made history after the Kansas City Chiefs made him the first African-American to be selected first overall in an entry draft*.

Buchanan came from the traditionally African-American school, Grambling University, where he learned under one of the greatest college coaches of all time in Eddie Robinson.

The NFL largely ignored these hotbeds of talent, as shown by the New York Giants selecting Buchanan in the 19th round compared to the first-overall selection.

Buchanan would go on to be selected to six All-AFL teams and win two AFL Championships with the Kansas City Chiefs.  Buchanan was part of a dominant front four that’d go on to win the Superbowl in ’69 after falling short against the Green Bay Packers in the very first Superbowl in ’66.

Buchanan had the speed and strength required to be one of the best defensive players of all time.  Weighing in at 275lbs was no small feet during the ’60s and being able to run 10.2 in the 100 at that size was just unbelievable.

In 1990, Buchanan was finally elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  Buchanan was also selected as the 67th best overall football player by the Sporting News.  It’s quite fitting that I’ve done Merlin Olsen and Buck Buchanan back-to-back, as they’re probably both in the top-five defensive tackles of all-time and both played during the same era, but in different leagues.  Bob Lilly, arguably the greatest defensive tackle of all time, also played the majority of his career in the 1960′s — If you were into skilled defensive tackles, the ’60′s was for you.

*Ernie Davis, who inspired the movie “The Express” was selected first overall by the Washington Redskins and traded to the Cleveland Browns two years previous, but never played a single down of football unfortunately.

Card: 1964 Philadelphia Football #91

Team/Position: Los Angeles Rams / Defensive Tackle

Cost: $4.00

Depending on when you discovered the wonderful game of football, you’ll definitely have a different opinion of Merlin Olsen.

Olsen played 15 years of Pro Football all with the same team:  The Los Angeles Rams.  If you were watching the game anywhere from 1962 to 1976, you know Merlin Olsen as a hard-working, smart,  defensive beast that couldn’t help but work his way to the Pro-Bowl in 14 of his 15 seasons.

Arguably more impressive than the 14 Pro Bowls, a record that he shares with Bruce Matthews, is Olsen’s participation in every single game.  Olsen didn’t miss a game in his entire 15-year career, as a defensive end!Along with Olsen, the Rams’ defensive line consisted of Deacon Jones, Lamar Lundy and Roosevelt Grier — The Fearsome Foursome.  Without a doubt, this was one of the greatest defensive lines ever assembled.

After Olsen’s playing career came to an end, he quickly teamed-up with Dick Enberg to form one of the better broadcasting teams of the 1980′s.

Around the same period, Olsen enjoyed moderate success as an actor.  Olsen stared on Little House on the Prairie as Jonathan Garvey for 49 episodes alongside Michael Landon.

Finally, in one of the better lines of Anchor Man, Will Farrell claims to know Merlin Olsen to impress a woman.

Olsen’s Alma-Mater, Utah State, recently re-named the field to honour their greatest player, none other than Merlin Olsen!

I really love these Philadelphia cards, especially the backs.  As you can see Olsen was a great student, and eventually went on to earn a masters degree in Economics during the off-season.

Card: 1972 Topps Football #240

Team/Position: Miami Dolphins / Guard

Cost: $2.00

With the Saints and the Indianapolis Colts recently losing, what better time than to feature a member of the 1972 Miami Dolphins.  The Dolphins remain the only team in the history of the NFL to complete a perfect season, although they only won fourteen regular season games as opposed to the current 16-game regular season schedule.

Off the top of my head, I can’t think of a single person that has any respect for the ’72 Dolphins squad.  Every year they celebrate by popping the cork on a fine bottle of Champagne when the final undefeated team loses and somehow, Mercury Morris finds his way onto ESPN. The Dolphins’ perfect season will always put them in the conversation for the greatest team ever, but for what it’s worth — they’re not even close.

Little arrived in Miami via trade after San Diego had signed him two years previous as an undrafted free-agent.  When the great Don Shula took over the helm, Larry Little’s life was about to change.

Don Shula replaced George Wilson as the Dolphin coach. When he first met Larry Little during the off-season, the new coach glared.

“How much do you weigh?” Shula asked.

“About 285 right now,” Little replied.

“I want you at 265,” Shula ordered.

Larry Little frowned. Growing up in downtown Miami, he recalls, “We were poor, but I never was hungry. We ate good. I ate more than anybody in the family. Any food anybody didn’t want, I was always around to get it.” He still takes many of his meals at his mother’s home. But when he trimmed himself to 265, he realized that his quickness had increased. When the Dolphins began to win, his reputation also increased. In each of his first three seasons under Shula, he was selected as the AFC’s outstanding offensive lineman in a NFL Players Association poll that determines the best player in various categories. (SPORT magazine — a great read if you get a chance)

Little became known for his quickness from the guard position and his ability to haul ass around the corner when Shula pulled him.  Little’s versatility in the ground-game allowed both Miami running-backs, Morris and Csonka, to eclipse 1,000 yards a piece in ’72 — the first teammates to accomplish such a feat.

Little’s ability as a pass-protector was also top-notch.  From 1970 to 1972, Little was named the top offensive lineman in the AFC by the NFLPA.  When Little finished his career, he had been selected All-NFL six different times and had been selected to play in the Pro Bowl on five different occasions.

As always, it’s tough to put an offensive lineman’s greatness into context without having seen him play.  Unlike many of the interior linemen of today, Little wasn’t a hulking beast that relied solely on his mass.  Little did everything well which allowed him to take on huge defensive tackles and quick defensive backs with equal effectiveness.

A week or so ago before Christmas, I grabbed a few packs of Gridiron Gear and was pleased to pull a Larry Little autograph.  While youur average collector would probably be pretty pissed off pulling Little over even the worst rookie, I was quite happy.  The cards are a bit cheesy especially if you love vintage, though.

Card: 1948 Leaf Gum Co., Card #16

Team/Position: Philadelphia Eagles / Wide Receiver, Defensive End

Cost: $15.25

I had yet another chance to add a 1948 Bowman to my collection, but once again decided on the Leaf alternative.  It’s not that the ’48 Bowman set is ugly or the ’48 Leaf set is gorgeous, it’s just a preference thing.

The Leaf Gum Co., set offers a little bit of colour and a couple different variations; whereas the Bowman offering is a simple, but gorgeous, black and white photograph.  If you’re interested in checking out the Bowman, here’s the link:

Pete Pihos was the epitome of an early football player:  hard-nosed, intelligent, and more than anything he played the game the right way.  Pihos was a two-way star at Indiana before leaving to dedicate a year of his life to the U.S. Army in 1944.  Upon Pihos’ return in 1945, he helped lead Indiana to it’s first Big-10 title en route to a 9-0-1 season.  The only blemish that year was Pihos and Howard Brown’s first game after returning from WWII (a tie w/ Northwestern in the second game of the season). He led the Hoosiers in scoring in both 45 and 46 and was eventually named to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1966.

Pihos began his nine-year professional career, a career in which he’d miss only one game, with the Philadelphia Eagles.  Originally, Pihos was considered a two-way player before primarily switching to offense.  However, with Philly in dire need of a defensive end, Pete switched to the defensive side of the ball in 1952 and didn’t miss a beat as he put together an All-Pro season.

On offense, Pihos wasn’t spectacularly quick or fast, but possessed terrific hands and the physicality to repeatedly out-muscle defenders.  Pihos helped the Eagles to their first Championship Game in his rookie season, in large part due to a blocked punt that he returned for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers.  The Eagles would go on to win three consecutive division titles and two championships after Pihos’ arrival.

Pete Pihos would make the Pro Bowl from 1950 to 1955 (inclusively) and take home six All-Pro or All-NFL awards.  He also lead the league in receiving in 1953 through 1955.

On his career, Pihos amassed over 5600 yards on 373 receptions and will forever be tied to the early Eagles with Steve Van Buren and Chuck Bednarik.

Card: 1950 Bowman, Card #45

Team/Position: The Cleveland Browns / Quarterback

Cost: $15.50 for this snowed in version of one of the greatest rookie cards of all time

There were three or four cards that I genuinely thought I’d have no chance in hell of acquiring for a reasonable price.  The two big boys from the 1957 set, Johnny Unitas and Bart Starr, are almost impossible to acquire on the cheap regardless of condition — so they’ve been back-burnered.  Then there’s Topps’ 1965 version of Joe Namath, which literally offers no hope for eventual purchase.  Namath’s numbers don’t jump out at you, but when you’re the quarterback of the New York Jets and you captivated a nation of young people, your rookie card’s going to sit at 250 bucks with 24 bids and 4 days left in an eBay auction as a PSA5 .

Finally, there’s the 1950 Bowman rookie card of Cleveland’s Otto Graham. If you’re of the belief that a quarterback is the field general and should be judged based on his accomplishments rather than statistics: Otto Graham is the best quarterback of all-time, with very little room for argument.

Some people look at Montana and Bradshaw’s four Superbowls a piece or maybe Bart Starr’s epic courage under fire, but all Otto Graham did was win — something the Cleveland Browns haven’t done since his departure.  Graham’s career started with the Browns in 1946 after he finished his service with the U.S. Navy’s coast-guard division.  The legendary Paul Brown signed Graham to a 2-year deal paying him $7,500 per year to play with the AAFC’s Cleveland Browns.

Football History doesn’t look back kindly upon AAFC statistics, as it was generally considered an inferior league that produced meaningless statistics.  From 1946 until the 1950 merger, Otto Graham and his Cleveland Browns won four consecutive AAFC championships through utter domination.  In 1950 when the leagues merged, Otto Graham finally got his rookie card — a beautiful small Bowman, colour and all.

Graham also provided vindication for the AAFC in 1950 by leading the Cleveland Browns to the NFL Championship Game in their inaugural season.  Cleveland finished up the 1950 regular season with a 10-2 record with both loses coming courtesy of the New York Giants’ Umbrella defense (see. Emlen Tunnell). Graham would gain his revenge in the playoffs by defeating the Giants before leading a masterful drive against the Los Angeles Rams to win the NFL Championship for the Cleveland Browns.

In Graham’s six years with the Cleveland Browns of the NFL, he lead the team to six consecutive championship games (winning three).  If his AAFC career’s included, Graham lead the Browns to the title game in each of his 10 professional seasons: An accomplishment that’ll live on in the history books for eternity.

Graham’s four AAFC and three NFL titles place him amongst the most successful quarterbacks of all time; even if he is technically one NFL Championship short of matching Montana and Bradshaw.  Graham’s 57-13-1 record as a starter in the NFL represents the greatest winning percentage (81%) of all time for a starting quarterback.

Automatic Otto Graham or Otto-matic, also won an NBL Championship with the Rochester Royals, who would eventually become the Sacramento Kings,  in his only season of Professional Basketball.  Graham had an uncanny ability to excel in whatever athletic pursuit he engaged in, which will forever remain his legacy.

Graham was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965 along with Sid Luckman, Steve Van Buren and Bob Waterfield, forming one of the best NFL HOF classes of all-time.

Graham’s statistics are nowhere near those of the great quarterbacks, but nary a soul could match his proficiency on the field.  It’s unfair to Graham to limit him solely to his NFL statistics, eliminating some of his best years because they occurred in the AAFC.  With Lou Groza and Marion Motley at his side, Otto Graham was the perfect vessel for Paul Brown’s version of Football.

Card: 1984 John Elway, Card #63

Team/Position: Denver Broncos / Quarterback

Cost: $8 for this terribly off-centered beauty.

1984 is one of the few years in the modern era that can compete with the big-boys of the 1950′s.  Marino and Elway alone keep the year amongst the greatest of all time.

With that said, I have no use for John Elway or any other Quarterback that refuses to abide by the rules of the NFL Draft –  I’m looking at you, Mr. Eli Manning.

Elway played his college ball at Stanford where despite never leading the Cardinal to a bowl game, Elway posted ridiculous numbers and was part of everyone’s favourite sports highlight: “The Band IS OUT ON THE FIELD!!”

What many tend to forget about John Elway was his brief stint in the New York-Penn League prior to his senior season.  Elway obviously had all of the tools that scouts dream of, but whether or not he could’ve achieved greatness we’ll never know.

The Yankees selected Elway in the second round of the 1981 MLB Draft after the Royals had spent a selection on Elway in ’79.

From an ‘83 issue of Time Magazine:

How well Elway could play was a question, but how well he would be paid was not. The baseball “rights” to Elway belonged to the New York Yankees, who belong to George Steinbrenner, a free spender capable of buying a pennant and everything else on the shelf. And he seems loath to pay less than $1 million for anything. In six weeks of minor league baseball last summer, Class A ball in Oneonta, N.Y., Outfielder Elway batted .318. However, since Class A pitchers seldom throw a curve on purpose, there was naturally some uncertainty about whether Elway could ever be a major league baseball player, much less a star. Regarding his football skills, there is less doubt.

Elway eventually found himself a member of the Denver Broncos and would go on to lead DRIVES and DIVES.

Elway was the king of the comeback, and will be remembered more than any statistic, as such.  He holds the record for most game-winning or game-tying drives in the fourth-quarter with 47.

If you’re an Elway fan, you certainly have his Colorado Crush of the Arena Football League Jersey.  As the owner of the Crush, Elway’s pimpin’ out his jersey for the low-low-low price of 46.99.   Medium, Large and 2XL are sold out, so you’re out of luck unless you’re a size XL.

You can get pretty decent deals on Elway’s RC if you’re not picky — To me, it seems as though your best bet is an ungraded card in the PSA 7 range.

Card: 1951 Bowman Football, Card #91

Team/Position: NY Giants, GB Packers / DB, Safety.

Cost: Acquired in a Lot ($15)

As a side-project, I’ve started to put together than 1951 Bowman set.  That year really doesn’t offer a lot of value in the Rookie Card department, but it’s definitely cheaper than the ’50 or ’52 sets.  Emlen Tunnell is one of the few rookies in the set, along with Tom Landry and Stormin’ Norman Van Brocklin.

Now, my card doesn’t exactly have the best color to it, but wasn’t Emlen Tunnell supposed to be the first African American to ever suit up for the New York Giants?  If so, is there a reason as to why Emlen comes across as a son of the Mediterranean — Maybe Italian? Maybe Greek?  Thankfully by 1952, Bowman had corrected the matter and Emlen Tunnell was indeed the first African American to play for the New York Giants.

Tunnell has a fairly interesting story, especially for a man that passed away far too early. Tunnell started out at Toledo where he unfortunately broke his neck.  The injury cost him enlistment in both the Army and Navy during WWII, but Emlen was eventually accepted by the Coast Guard.  What I absolutely loved about that era of sports was the dedication to their country that these players showed.

Em eventually settled in Iowa after his tour of the Coast Guard was up.  Tunnell wasn’t drafted, as he surprisingly chose to forgo his third season at Iowa.  Tunnell eventually landed a gig with the New York Giants where he’d prove to be a cornerstone of their Umbrella Defense.

Tunnell was a 9-time Pro Bowl Selection, 8-time All Pro, a member of the All-Decade Team of the 1950′s and a two-time Champion.

Em was literally “offense on defense”  as you can see from the rear of the card: “On the defensive platoon, Em was a valuable factor in attack, returning 2 pass interceptions and 1 punt for TDs.  During season, he intercepted 10 passes and ran them back for 251 yards. Ran 26 punts back for 315 yards” (What awful grammar!)

I’d highly recommend checking out this biography of Emlen Tunnell:

Emlen Tunnell was, as he himself pointed out to Maury White of the Des Moines Register, the “first black everything” with the New York Giants of the National Football League—”player, scout, talent scout, assistant coach, and first full-time black assistant in the whole league.” Tunnell was more than a pioneer, however. Playing the position of safety, he was one of the greatest defensive backs in the history of the game, setting records that lasted for decades after his retirement in 1961. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967, he was not only the first African American to join that body but also the first defensive player. And on top of all this Tunnell was an individual with strong leadership skills that helped smooth the way for the integration of a pro game that was almost all-white when he first took the field.

Card: 1957 Topps Football Card #85

Team/Position: Chicago Cardinals, Detroit Lions / End, Defensive Back

Cost: $8.50

After a brief hiatus, I’m back with one of my favourite cards.  While the posts stopped; the cards just kept filling tiny apartment mailbox.

When it comes to defensive backs, Night Train Lane is the best of the best.  Dick was named the best defensive back of the first 50 years of professional football.His accolades are plentiful:

• Enshrined in the HOF in 1974
• Seven-time Pro Bowl Selection
• Six-time First Team All Pro and Four-Time Second Team.
• Named to the All-Decade Team for the 1950′s
• Named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team.

Dick’s name is also plastered all over the NFL Record Books.

Lane’s set the record (as a rookie) for interceptions in a year (1952) with 14.  The record continues to stand to this day and probably will never be touched.  Darren Sharper’s posting one hell of a season, but he’s only at 8 interceptions after playing eleven games.

Lane’s amongst the top-5 in almost every other major interception category.

Lane had his best years with the Detroit Lions, where he finished his career.  On the field, Lane was one of the best big-play athletes to ever play a down of football.  He took risks and almost always succeeded.