Choosing a New Orleans Saints Mount Rushmore

Jan 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees speaks on the game of financial football at the New Orleans convention center. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

It’s the quietest point of the NFL offseason now that rookie minicamp has concluded, so there’s no better time to pick out a New Orleans Saints Mount Rushmore!

Picking a Mount Rushmore is a recent trend started by the folks over at ProFootballTalk. We thought it would be a great idea to attempt our own Mount Rushmore for the Saints.

It’s not as easy as you might think at first glance. You can only pick four names for a Saints Mount Rushmore, and you have to find a delicate balance between statistics, lasting legacy and more when picking those names. Also, should it include coaches and decision makers?

For the purposes of this Saints Mount Rushmore, we’ll include all types of personnel spanning franchise history  Feel free to let us know what you think in the comments section below and give us your very own  Saints Mount Rushmore!

Drew Brees 

December 30, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) prior to kickoff of a game against the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Come on, did you think we would start anywhere else?  Where do you even start with Brees? He’s the most recognizable face in franchise history and brought home the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl XLVI.

Brees has broke numerous passing records over the course of his journey, and the scary part is he’s not quite done yet. Perhaps Brees’ most impressive record is the face he’s the NFL’s All-time single season passing yard leader with 5,476 yards.

There’s no question Brees’ should be the first mug on the wall of a Saints Mount Rushmore. We could dedicate an entire post to Brees alone, but that just wouldn’t be fair to the rest of the guys on the wall.

Sean Payton 

March 20, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton answers questions from reporters during the annual NFL meetings at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Payton is another name that is an easy pick if you had to pick a Saints Mount Rushmore. Sure, there’s been some issues over the horribly-named Bountygate, but it’s safe to say the good outweighs the bad.

Payton joined the Saints in 2006, and after just three years led the team to a Super Bowl victory. Overall as a head coach he has compiled a 62-34 record.

Like his quarterback, Payton appears to be far from done with the Saints. There’s no question Payton is one of the most important figures in franchise history, and for that, he lands right next to his quarterback on the wall.

Rickey Jackson 

January 1, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints former linebacker Rickey Jackson before the Saints played the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

From 1981 to 1993 there was no bigger name in the world of the New Orleans Saints than linebacker Rickey Jackson, who broke numerous franchise records while on his path to the Hall of Fame.

Over the course of his career, Jackson racked up 1,173 tackles and a Saints franchise record with 128 sacks. He was also a six Time Pro-Bowler and a four-Time All-Pro.

Jackson is now enshrined in the Hall of Fame and easily belongs on any Saints Mount Rushmore. His contributions to the franchise may be forgotten as current generations take over, but he deserves to live on in the realms of Saints history with the biggest names of them all.

Deuce McAllister

Jan 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; NFL former running back Deuce McAllister carries the Vince Lombardi trophy into the Super Bowl XLVII Experience at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Deuce McAllister is a case where legacy has more of a lasting impact on a Mount Rushmore nomination rather than statistics. McAllister is one of the most recognizable names in franchise history thanks to his key role in some of the best moments the franchise has to offer.

Despite joining the Saints in 2001 and only playing for seven seasons, McAllister rushed for over 6,000 yards and 49 touchdowns while playing an integral role in the team’s Super Bowl victory.

McAllister is another modern player who makes the wall over some of the legends in team history, but it’s well deserved given his role in what is easily the best years the Saints have had since being created.

Love our Mount Rushmore? Hate it?  Let us know on Twitter @whodatdish or  on Facebook. Make sure to leave your own Saints Mount Rushmore in the comments section below!