- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,195,674
- Reaction score
- 59
We are down to 67 days before the New Orleans Saints take the field for their regular season opener. This year, the Saints will open up on the road with a showdown at the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 13. Undrafted rookie defensive tackle Zxavian Harris is currently wearing No. 67 for the Saints.
Despite a productive collegiate career, Harris surprisingly went undrafted. He'll now be trying to become the 11th player to wear a 67 jersey in New Orleans history. Our countdown to kickoff series continues with a look at each who did it.
A sixth-round choice in the first Saints draft in 1967, George Harvey wore 67 first for the franchise. He did so for six games during that inaugural campaign. John Shinners followed him in the jersey two seasons later, arriving as the 17th overall choice in the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft. Shinners didn't exactly live up to the expectations of a first-round pick. He was with New Orleans for three years, playing 25 games and making four starts. Holding the distinction for the shortest stint in 67 for the Saints is Bob Kuziel, who appeared in just one game during the 1972 campaign. Phil LaPorta came in as a ninth-round choice in the 1974 NFL Draft. He'd stick around for two years and 20 games. John Watson would follow LaPorta, playing five games in each of his three seasons and at various positions along the offensive line.
New Orleans picked offensive tackle Stan Brock with 12th overall choice in the first round of the 1980 NFL Draft. Brock quickly earned a starting job and would go on to be one of the best tackles in franchise history. Not only was Brock the highest drafted player by New Orleans to wear No. 67, his 186 games were by far the most of anyone to have the uniform. Outside of Drew Brees, no Saints offensive player has played more games. In 1997, Brock was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame.
Following Stan Brock was a tough assignment, but Andy McCollum managed 59 games over four years in 67. After him came Jamar Nesbit, whose 84 games were second only to Brock in the 67 uniform. Nesbit started 43 of those contests. He and McCollum were not nearly at Brock's level, but each were reliable blockers up front.
Larry Warford came to New Orleans for the last three years of his seven-year career. Warford made the Pro Bowl all three of those seasons, starting 44 regular season contests. Landon Young followed him as a sixth-round choice in the 2021 NFL Draft. Young appeared in 56 games over four years, but started just 12 of those contests.
Zxavian Harris now gets his turn to make an impact in the 67 uniform. Despite going undrafted, Harris has an enticing combination of size, power, and burst. If he makes the team, Harris would be the first defensive player for the Saints to wear the 67 uniform.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 67 days until Saints opener: Every player to wear the No. 67 jersey
Continue reading...
Despite a productive collegiate career, Harris surprisingly went undrafted. He'll now be trying to become the 11th player to wear a 67 jersey in New Orleans history. Our countdown to kickoff series continues with a look at each who did it.
Saints History of No. 67
- OT George Harvey (1967)
- G John Shinners (1969-71)
- C Bob Kuziel (1972)
- OT Phil LaPorta (1974-75)
- OL John Watson (1977-79)
- OT Stan Brock (1980-92)
- G Andy McCollum (1995-98)
- G Jamar Nesbit (2004-09)
- G Larry Warford (2017-19)
- OT Landon Young (2021-25)
- DT Zxavian Harris (current)
A sixth-round choice in the first Saints draft in 1967, George Harvey wore 67 first for the franchise. He did so for six games during that inaugural campaign. John Shinners followed him in the jersey two seasons later, arriving as the 17th overall choice in the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft. Shinners didn't exactly live up to the expectations of a first-round pick. He was with New Orleans for three years, playing 25 games and making four starts. Holding the distinction for the shortest stint in 67 for the Saints is Bob Kuziel, who appeared in just one game during the 1972 campaign. Phil LaPorta came in as a ninth-round choice in the 1974 NFL Draft. He'd stick around for two years and 20 games. John Watson would follow LaPorta, playing five games in each of his three seasons and at various positions along the offensive line.
You must be registered for see images
New Orleans picked offensive tackle Stan Brock with 12th overall choice in the first round of the 1980 NFL Draft. Brock quickly earned a starting job and would go on to be one of the best tackles in franchise history. Not only was Brock the highest drafted player by New Orleans to wear No. 67, his 186 games were by far the most of anyone to have the uniform. Outside of Drew Brees, no Saints offensive player has played more games. In 1997, Brock was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame.
Following Stan Brock was a tough assignment, but Andy McCollum managed 59 games over four years in 67. After him came Jamar Nesbit, whose 84 games were second only to Brock in the 67 uniform. Nesbit started 43 of those contests. He and McCollum were not nearly at Brock's level, but each were reliable blockers up front.
You must be registered for see images attach
Larry Warford came to New Orleans for the last three years of his seven-year career. Warford made the Pro Bowl all three of those seasons, starting 44 regular season contests. Landon Young followed him as a sixth-round choice in the 2021 NFL Draft. Young appeared in 56 games over four years, but started just 12 of those contests.
Zxavian Harris now gets his turn to make an impact in the 67 uniform. Despite going undrafted, Harris has an enticing combination of size, power, and burst. If he makes the team, Harris would be the first defensive player for the Saints to wear the 67 uniform.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 67 days until Saints opener: Every player to wear the No. 67 jersey
Continue reading...
