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: 1979 Topps Football Card #390

Team/Position: Houston Oilers / Runningback

Cost: $2.80

I knew this deal was too good to be true, I knew it.  I purchased this Earl Campbell with a Dan Fouts Rookie Card because the seller agreed to ship it via standard airmail.

Rant Ensues, Feel Free To Skip

I didn’t feel like spending 11 dollars on shipping for 5 dollars worth of cards and she agreed, yet every time that I requested an invoice she sent it back with shipping of 11 dollars.  In her messages, she said she was going to ship it via the two dollar option, but her invoices said differently.

I eventually just paid the 11 dollar option and politely asked for a refund of the difference if she decided to ship it via the $2.00 option.  Of course that was the wrong decision as she shipped it via the two dollar option before ignoring my refund requests for 3 weeks.

I eventually won the dispute because she didn’t bother responding to eBay either.  I like to reward people that ship to Canada, even if they don’t get it postmarked until 10 days after payment, but this is just a piss-off.

Rant Ends, Earl Campbell Worship Begins

Some folks enjoy watching highlights of Barry Sanders or Gale Sayers, but in my opinion, neither could hold a candle to Earl Campbell.

In ’77 Campbell won the Heisman with the Texas Longhorns after leading the nation in rushing.

Sanders and Sayers would make your jaw drop, but Earl Campbell would make you grimace.

The Houston Oilers selected Campbell with the first overall selection in the 1978 Draft.  Campbell won the Offensive Rookie Of The Year Award in 1978 and followed it up with an MVP award in ’79.

As you see on the front of the card, Campbell was awarded the first of his three-consecutive All-Pro selections in his rookie year.  Campbell also has a “RECORD BREAKER” rookie card in the ’79 set, but it’s far less valuable.

Time For Another Video

Campebll went onto five Pro Bowls over the course of his eight year career.  Unfortunately, Campbell’s career was cut far too short by his bruising running style.

After his epic 1980 season (373 Attempts, 1934 Yards, 13 TD, 5.2YPC,) it was essentially down-hill for Campbell.  While he received a full workload in 1981, Campbell failed to average four yards per carry.