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We're on to Day 79 in our countdown to the New Orleans Saints' season opener, which means the Saints Play of the Day is the longest rushing attempt in franchise history. Back in 1981, rookie running back George Rogers gave the Saints a spark on a 79-yard carry, which you can see here in an old-school highlight reel.
Rogers took the handoff from Archie Manning and dodged a tackle to break out into the open field. A block from veteran wide receiver Guido Merkens bought enough time for Rogers to work his way to the goal line, where he dove through a Browns defender's tackle for the score. It was a gutsy effort which kept the Saints in it against one of the AFC's top teams that year.
It was an impressive play, but what's most surprising about it is that Rogers set a record no other Saints running back has broken. His 79-yard scamper remains the longest rush by anyone in a Saints uniform over the last 45 years. Think about all the great players who have worn black and gold in that time -- fan favorites like Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, plus first-round picks like Mark Ingram II and Reggie Bush. Playmakers like Taysom Hill and Rashid Shaheed worked hard to meet the standard Rogers set, too, but to this day no one has gone the distance. Maybe Travis Etienne Jr. can pull it off in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints Play of the Day: George Rogers' franchise-record 79-yard TD run
Continue reading...
Rogers took the handoff from Archie Manning and dodged a tackle to break out into the open field. A block from veteran wide receiver Guido Merkens bought enough time for Rogers to work his way to the goal line, where he dove through a Browns defender's tackle for the score. It was a gutsy effort which kept the Saints in it against one of the AFC's top teams that year.
It was an impressive play, but what's most surprising about it is that Rogers set a record no other Saints running back has broken. His 79-yard scamper remains the longest rush by anyone in a Saints uniform over the last 45 years. Think about all the great players who have worn black and gold in that time -- fan favorites like Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, plus first-round picks like Mark Ingram II and Reggie Bush. Playmakers like Taysom Hill and Rashid Shaheed worked hard to meet the standard Rogers set, too, but to this day no one has gone the distance. Maybe Travis Etienne Jr. can pull it off in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints Play of the Day: George Rogers' franchise-record 79-yard TD run
Continue reading...
