Jump to content

1970 New Orleans Saints season: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
 
(37 intermediate revisions by 21 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox NFL season
{{short description|NFL team season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL team season
| team = New Orleans Saints
| team = New Orleans Saints
| year = 1970
| year = 1970
| record = 2–11–1
| record = 2–11–1
| division_place = 4th [[NFC West]]
| division_place = 4th [[NFC West]]
| coach = [[Tom Fears]] and [[J. D. Roberts]]
| coach = [[Tom Fears]] (1–5–1)<br>[[J. D. Roberts]] (1–6)
| general manager = Vic Schwenk
| general manager = [[Vic Schwenk]]
| owner = John W. Mecom, Jr.
| owner = [[John W. Mecom Jr.]]
| stadium = [[Tulane Stadium]]
| stadium = [[Tulane Stadium]]
| playoffs = ''did not qualify''
| playoffs = ''Did not qualify''
| pro bowlers = ''None''
| uniform =
| uniform =
| shortnavlink = Saints seasons
| shortnavlink = Saints seasons
}}
}}
[[File:New_Orleans_Saints_(1967_-_1999).png|thumb|Logo of New Orleans Saints (1967-1999)]]
The '''1970 New Orleans Saints season''' was the team's fourth as a member of the [[National Football League]]. After spending their first three seasons in the NFL's [[Eastern and Western Conferences (NFL) 1933–69|Eastern Conference]], the Saints moved in [[1970 NFL season|1970]] to the [[NFC West|West Division]] of the new [[National Football Conference]]. They failed to improve on their [[1969 New Orleans Saints season|previous season]]'s output {{nowrap|of 5–9,}} winning only two games,<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nor/1970.htm 1970 New Orleans Saints]</ref> and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.


Following a 1–5–1 start, head coach [[Tom Fears]] was fired by owner [[John W. Mecom Jr.]] and replaced by [[J.D. Roberts]],<ref name=sbfahc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Aw9ZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zmwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6928%2C458566 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |agency=Associated Press |title=Saints bounce Fears as head coach |date=November 4, 1970 |page=25}}</ref><ref name=ppffbs>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HtEbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ilAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5712%2C2353702 |work=Pittsburgh Press |agency=UPI |title=Fears fired by Saints |date=November 4, 1970 |page=73}}</ref><ref name=sgnc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GwBYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DPcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2723%2C5784710 |work=The Bulletin |location=(Bend, Oregon) |agency=UPI |title=Saints get new coach |date=November 4, 1970 |page=11}}</ref> whose first game was a {{nowrap|19–17}} victory over the [[1970 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]] at [[Tulane Stadium]] in which [[Tom Dempsey]] set an NFL record with a 63-yard field goal on the final play;<ref name=lftsts>{{cite news |url=
The '''1970 New Orleans Saints season''' was the team's fourth as a member of the [[National Football League]]. After spending their first three seasons in the NFL's [[Eastern and Western Conferences (NFL) 1933–69|Eastern Conference]], the Saints moved in 1970 to the [[NFC West|West Division]] of the new [[National Football Conference]]. They failed to improve on their [[1969 New Orleans Saints season|previous season]]'s output {{nowrap|of 5–9,}} winning only two games.<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nor/1970.htm 1970 New Orleans Saints]</ref> The team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZNwNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zmwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3374%2C1141089 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |agency=Associated Press |title=63-yard FG lifts Saints over Lions |date=November 9, 1970 |page=25}}</ref> it broke the record held by [[Bert Rechichar]] of the [[1953 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]] by seven yards, set seventeen years {{nowrap|earlier.<ref name=dfgwgmms>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IJtRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KhEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3930%2C1540387 |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |agency=Associated Press |title=Dempsey's 63 yard FG jolts Lions |date=November 9, 1970 |page=1, part 2 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name=cjbrs>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=E5ExAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OxAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2279%2C3321799 |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |agency=Associated Press |title=Colts jolt Bears, 13-9, get record 56-yard field goal |date=September 28, 1953 |page=2, part 2 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>}} Dempsey's record was tied by three: [[Jason Elam]] ([[1998 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]], {{nfly|1998}}), [[Sebastian Janikowski]] ([[Oakland Raiders]], {{nfly|2011}}), and [[David Akers]] ([[2012 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]], {{nfly|2012}}). {{nowrap|It was}} broken by [[Matt Prater]] of the [[2013 Denver Broncos season|Broncos]] in {{nfly|2013}}, at 64 yards at elevation in [[Colorado]] (Prater's record was broken in {{nfly|2021}} by [[Justin Tucker]] of the [[Baltimore Ravens]], who kicked a 66-yard game winner vs. the Lions).

Following a 1–5–1 start, coach [[Tom Fears]] was fired by owner John W. Mecom Jr. and replaced by [[J.D. Roberts]], whose first game was a {{nowrap|19–17}} victory over the [[1970 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]] at [[Tulane Stadium]] in which [[Tom Dempsey]] set an NFL record with a 63-yard field goal on the final play; it broke the record held by [[Bert Rechichar]] of the [[1953 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]] by seven yards, set seventeen years {{nowrap|earlier.<ref name=dfgwgmms>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IJtRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KhEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3930%2C1540387 |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |agency=Associated Press |title=Dempsey's 63 yard FG jolts Lions |date=November 9, 1970 |page=1, part 2}}</ref><ref name=cjbrs>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=E5ExAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OxAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2279%2C3321799 |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |agency=Associated Press |title=Colts jolt Bears, 13-9, get record 56-yard field goal |date=September 28, 1953 |page=2, part 2}}</ref>}} Dempsey's record was tied by three: [[Jason Elam]] ([[1998 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]], {{nfly|1998}}), [[Sebastian Janikowski]] ([[Oakland Raiders]], {{nfly|2011}}), and [[David Akers]] ([[2012 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]], {{nfly|2012}}). {{nowrap|It was}} broken by [[Matt Prater]] of the [[2013 Denver Broncos season|Broncos]] in {{nfly|2013}}, at 64 yards at elevation in [[Colorado]].


The victory over the Lions was last of the season for the Saints, but both victories came over teams in the thick of the NFC playoff race. The other, a {{nowrap|14–10}} triumph over the [[1970 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] in week three, cost the Giants the NFC East division championship. The Lions qualified for the [[1970–71 NFL playoffs|playoffs]] as the wild card from the NFC, but were nearly forced into a coin toss with the [[1970 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]], a situation which was only averted when the Giants lost their season finale to the [[1970 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]].
The victory over the Lions was last of the season for the Saints, but both victories came over teams in the thick of the NFC playoff race. The other, a {{nowrap|14–10}} triumph over the [[1970 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] in week three, cost the Giants the NFC East division championship. The Lions qualified for the [[1970–71 NFL playoffs|playoffs]] as the wild card from the NFC, but were nearly forced into a coin toss with the [[1970 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]], a situation which was only averted when the Giants lost their season finale to the [[1970 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]].


The Saints' 2–11–1 record was the worst in the NFC and gave them the second overall pick in the [[1971 NFL draft]]; they selected quarterback [[Archie Manning]] of [[1970 Ole Miss Rebels football team|Mississippi]].
==Offseason==


===NFL draft===
== Offseason ==
=== NFL draft ===
{{main article|1970 NFL draft}}
{{main article|1970 NFL draft}}
{{NFL team draft start
{{NFL team draft start
Line 40: Line 45:
| round = 3
| round = 3
| pick = 62
| pick = 62
| player = Clovis Swinney
| player = [[Clovis Swinney]]
| position = [[Defensive tackle]]
| position = [[Defensive tackle]]
| college = [[Arkansas State Red Wolves football|Arkansas State]]
| college = [[Arkansas State Red Wolves football|Arkansas State]]
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 4
| pick = 88
| player = [[Delles Howell]]
| position = [[Defensive back]]
| college = [[Grambling State Tigers football|Grambling]]
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 5
| pick = 106
| player = Glenn Cannon
| position = [[Defensive back]]
| college = [[Ole Miss Rebels football|Mississippi]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 5
| pick = 126
| player = [[Steve Ramsey (American football)|Steve Ramsey]]
| position = [[Quarterback]]
| college = [[North Texas Mean Green football|North Texas State]]
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 6
| pick = 140
| player = Mel Easley
| position = [[Defensive back]]
| college = [[Oregon State Beavers football|Oregon State]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 7
| pick = 166
| player = Lon Woodard
| position = [[Defensive end]]
| college = [[San Diego State Aztecs football|San Diego State]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 8
| pick = 192
| player = [[Larry Estes]]
| position = [[Defensive end]]
| college = [[Alcorn State Braves football|Alcorn A&M]]
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 9
| pick = 218
| player = [[Jim Otis]]
| position = [[Running back]]
| college = [[Ohio State Buckeyes football|Ohio State]]
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
| probowl = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 10
| pick = 244
| player = [[Jim Brumfield]]
| position = [[Running back]]
| college = [[Indiana State Sycamores football|Indiana State]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 11
| pick = 270
| player = Gary Klahr
| position = [[Linebacker]]
| college = [[Arizona Wildcats football|Arizona]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 12
| pick = 296
| player = [[Willie Davenport]]
| position = [[Defensive back]]
| college = [[Southern Jaguars football|Southern]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 13
| pick = 322
| player = Ralph Miller
| position = [[Tight end]]
| college = [[Alabama State Hornets football|Alabama State]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 14
| pick = 348
| player = [[Doug Sutherland (American football)|Doug Sutherland]]
| position = [[Defensive end]]
| college = [[Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjackets football|Wisconsin-Superior]]
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 15
| pick = 374
| player = Jim Vest
| position = [[Defensive end]]
| college = [[1969 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 16
| pick = 400
| player = Cliff Gaspar
| position = [[Defensive tackle]]
| college = [[Grambling State Tigers football|Grambling]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 17
| pick = 426
| player = [[Doug Wyatt]]
| position = [[Defensive back]]
| college = [[Tulsa Golden Hurricane football|Tulsa]]
| notes =
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
| maderoster = yes
Line 49: Line 190:
| hof = no
| hof = no
}}
}}
<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nor/1970_draft.htm |title=1970 New Orleans Saints draftees |work=Pro-Football-Reference.com |accessdate=November 10, 2014 }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nor/1970_draft.htm |title=1970 New Orleans Saints draftees |work=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=November 10, 2014 }}</ref>


==Personnel==
== Personnel ==
===Staff===
=== Staff ===
{{NFL final staff
{{NFL final staff
| year = 1970
| year = 1970
Line 74: Line 215:
| defensive =
| defensive =
* Defensive Line – [[Ed Khayat]]
* Defensive Line – [[Ed Khayat]]
* Linebackers – [[Jerry Smith (coach)|Jerry Smith]]
* Linebackers – [[Jerry Smith (American football coach)|Jerry Smith]]
* Defensive Backfield – [[Ed Biles]]
* Defensive Backfield – [[Ed Biles]]
}}
}}
<ref>{{cite web |title=All-Time Roster |url=http://www.neworleanssaints.com/team/history/all-time-roster.html |publisher=NewOrleansSaints.com |accessdate=June 24, 2012}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web |title=All-Time Roster |url=http://www.neworleanssaints.com/team/history/all-time-roster.html |publisher=NewOrleansSaints.com |access-date=June 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618110940/http://www.neworleanssaints.com/team/history/all-time-roster.html |archive-date=2012-06-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


===Roster===
=== Roster ===
{{NFL season roster
{{NFL season roster
| year = 1970
| year = 1970
Line 87: Line 228:
{{NFLplayer|14|Ed Hargett}}
{{NFLplayer|14|Ed Hargett}}
{{NFLplayer|17|Billy Kilmer}}
{{NFLplayer|17|Billy Kilmer}}
{{NFLplayer|16|Steve Ramsey|d=American football|rookie=y}}


| running_backs =
| running_backs =
{{NFLplayer|38|Tony Baker|d=running back, born 1945}}
{{NFLplayer|32|Tom Barrington}}
{{NFLplayer|32|Tom Barrington}}
{{NFLplayer|47|Bill Dusenbery|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|36|Dick Davis|d=running back}}
{{NFLplayer|48|Andy Livingston}}
{{NFLplayer|36|Vic Nyvall|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|35|Jim Otis|rookie=y|FB}}
{{NFLplayer|35|Jim Otis|rookie=y|FB}}
{{NFLplayer|22|Elijah Pitts}}
{{NFLplayer|22|Elijah Pitts}}
Line 101: Line 242:
{{NFLplayer|00|Ken Burrough|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|00|Ken Burrough|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|25|Al Dodd}}
{{NFLplayer|25|Al Dodd}}
{{NFLplayer|85|Ray Poage}}
{{NFLplayer|47|Bill Dusenbery|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|30|Bob Shaw|d=wide receiver|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|30|Bob Shaw|d=wide receiver|rookie=y}}


| tight_ends =
| tight_ends =
{{NFLplayer|83|Dave Parks}}
{{NFLplayer|83|Dave Parks}}
{{NFLplayer|85|Ray Poage}}


| offensive_linemen =
| offensive_linemen =
Line 113: Line 255:
{{NFLplayer|67|John Shinners|G}}
{{NFLplayer|67|John Shinners|G}}
{{NFLplayer|73|Jerry Sturm|C}}
{{NFLplayer|73|Jerry Sturm|C}}
{{NFLplayer|60|Doug Sutherland|d=American football|rookie=y|G}}
{{NFLplayer|72|Don Talbert|T}}
{{NFLplayer|72|Don Talbert|T}}
{{NFLplayer|77|Mike Taylor|d=offensive tackle|T}}
{{NFLplayer|77|Mike Taylor|d=offensive tackle|T}}
Line 119: Line 262:
| defensive_linemen =
| defensive_linemen =
{{NFLplayer|84|Larry Estes|rookie=y|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|84|Larry Estes|rookie=y|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|89|Dave Long|d=American football|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|89|Dave Long|d=American football|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|87|Richard Neal|d=American football|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|87|Richard Neal|d=American football|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|76|Dave Rowe|d=American football|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|76|Dave Rowe|d=American football|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|60|Doug Sutherland|d=American football|rookie=y|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|79|Clovis Swinney|rookie=y|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|74|Mike Tilleman|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|74|Mike Tilleman|DT}}


Line 129: Line 272:
{{NFLplayer|82|Johnny Brewer}}
{{NFLplayer|82|Johnny Brewer}}
{{NFLplayer|55|Jackie Burkett}}
{{NFLplayer|55|Jackie Burkett}}
{{NFLplayer|66|Bill Cody|d=American football}}{{NFLplayer|59|Wayne Colman}}
{{NFLplayer|66|Bill Cody|d=American football}}
{{NFLplayer|59|Wayne Colman}}
{{NFLplayer|52|Harry Jacobs|d=American football}}{{NFLplayer|57|Mike Morgan|d=linebacker, born 1942}}
{{NFLplayer|57|Mike Morgan|d=linebacker, born 1942}}


| defensive_backs =
| defensive_back =
{{NFLplayer|49|Major Hazelton}}
{{NFLplayer|18|Hugo Hollas|rookie=y|SS}}
{{NFLplayer|18|Hugo Hollas|rookie=y|SS}}
{{NFLplayer|20|Delles Howell|rookie=y|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|20|Delles Howell|rookie=y|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|43|Dicky Lyons|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|24|Elijah Nevett|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|24|Elijah Nevett|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|21|Joe Scarpati|FS}}
{{NFLplayer|21|Joe Scarpati|FS}}
Line 142: Line 288:
{{NFLplayer|19|Tom Dempsey|K}}
{{NFLplayer|19|Tom Dempsey|K}}
{{NFLplayer|10|Julian Fagan|P}}
{{NFLplayer|10|Julian Fagan|P}}

| reserve_lists =
{{NFLplayer|38|Tony Baker|d=running back, born 1945|RB|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|48|Andy Livingston|RB|IR}}

| practice_squad =
}}
}}


==Schedule==
== Schedule ==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New Orleans Saints|year=1970|border=2}}"| Week
! Week
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New Orleans Saints|year=1970|border=2}}"| Date
! Date
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New Orleans Saints|year=1970|border=2}}"| Opponent
! Opponent
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New Orleans Saints|year=1970|border=2}}"| Result
! Result
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New Orleans Saints|year=1970|border=2}}"| Record
! Attendance
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New Orleans Saints|year=1970|border=2}}"| Venue
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New Orleans Saints|year=1970|border=2}}"| Attendance
| 1
|-style="background:#fcc"
| September 20, 1970
! 1
| [[Atlanta Falcons]]
| September 20
| L 14–3
| '''[[1970 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]]'''
| <center>77,042</center>
| '''L''' 3–14
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 2
| 0–1
| [[Tulane Stadium]]
| September 27, 1970
| 77,042
| at [[Minnesota Vikings]]
|-style="background:#fcc"
| L 26–0
! 2
| <center>47,900</center>
| September 27
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| at [[1970 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]
| 3
| '''L''' 0–26
| October 4, 1970
| 0–2
| [[New York Giants]]
| [[Metropolitan Stadium]]
| W 14–10
| 47,900
| <center>69,126</center>
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background:#cfc"
| 4
! 3
| October 11, 1970
| October 4
| [[1970 New York Giants season|New York Giants]]
| at [[St. Louis Cardinals (NFL)|St. Louis Cardinals]]
| '''W''' 14–10
| L 24–17
| 1–2
| <center>45,294</center>
| Tulane Stadium
|-style="background: #ffeeaa;"
| 5
| 69,126
|-style="background:#fcc"
| October 18, 1970
! 4
| at [[San Francisco 49ers]]
| October 11
| T 20–20
| at [[1970 St. Louis Cardinals (NFL) season|St. Louis Cardinals]]
| <center>39,446</center>
| '''L''' 17–24
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 6
| 1–3
| [[Busch Memorial Stadium]]
| October 25, 1970
| 45,294
| at [[Atlanta Falcons]]
|-style="background:#ffc"
| L 32–14
! 5
| <center>58,850</center>
| October 18
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| at '''[[1970 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]]'''
| 7
| '''T''' 20–20
| November 1, 1970
| 1–3–1
| [[Los Angeles Rams]]
| [[Kezar Stadium]]
| L 30–17
| 39,446
| <center>77,861</center>
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
|-style="background:#fcc"
| 8
! 6
| October 25
| November 8, 1970
| at '''Atlanta Falcons'''
| [[Detroit Lions]]
| '''L''' 14–32
| W 19–17
| 1–4–1
| <center>66,910</center>
| [[Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium|Atlanta Stadium]]
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 9
| 58,850
|-style="background:#fcc"
| November 15, 1970
! 7
| at [[Miami Dolphins]]
| November 1
| L 21–10
| '''[[1970 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]]'''
| <center>42,866</center>
| '''L''' 17–30
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 1–5–1
| 10
| Tulane Stadium
| November 22, 1970
| 77,861
| [[Denver Broncos]]
|-style="background:#cfc"
| L 31–6
! 8
| <center>66,837</center>
| November 8
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| [[1970 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]
| 11
| '''W''' 19–17
| November 29, 1970
| 2–5–1
| at [[Cincinnati Bengals]]
| Tulane Stadium
| L 26–6
| 66,910
| <center>59,342</center>
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background:#fcc"
| 12
! 9
| November 15
| December 6, 1970
| at [[Los Angeles Rams]]
| at [[1970 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]
| L 34–16
| '''L''' 10–21
| 2–6–1
| <center>66,410</center>
| [[Miami Orange Bowl]]
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 13
| 42,866
|-style="background:#fcc"
| December 13, 1970
! 10
| [[San Francisco 49ers]]
| November 22
| L 38–27
| [[1970 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]
| <center>61,940</center>
| '''L''' 6–31
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 2–7–1
| 14
| Tulane Stadium
| December 20, 1970
| 66,837
| [[Chicago Bears]]
|-style="background:#fcc"
| L 24–3
! 11
| <center>63,518</center>
| November 29
| at [[1970 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]]
| '''L''' 6–26
| 2–8–1
| [[Riverfront Stadium]]
| 59,342
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 12
| December 6
| at '''Los Angeles Rams'''
| '''L''' 16–34
| 2–9–1
| [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]]
| 66,410
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 13
| December 13
| '''San Francisco 49ers'''
| '''L''' 27–38
| 2–10–1
| Tulane Stadium
| 61,940
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 14
| December 20
| [[1970 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]
| '''L''' 3–24
| 2–11–1
| Tulane Stadium
| 63,518
|-style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New Orleans Saints|year=1970|border=2}}"
|colspan="7"| '''Note:''' Intra-division opponents are in '''bold''' text.
|}
|}


==Standings==
== Standings ==
{{1970 NFC West standings}}
{{1970 NFC West standings}}


==References==
== Quotes ==
[[Al Wester]] of [[WWL (AM)|WWL]] Radio describes [[Tom Dempsey]]'s 63-yard field goal against the [[1970 Detroit Lions|Detroit Lions]].

{{blockquote|''Here’s the snap. The ball is down. Dempsey's kick is on the way. And...it is good! It’s good! It’s good! The Saints have won! The Saints have won! The stadium is wild. Dempsey is being mobbed. The time has run out, and the Saints have won, 19-17! Dempsey with a 63-yard field goal! The longest field goal in the history of the National League!''}}

[[Don Criqui]] describing the same play for [[NFL on CBS|CBS]]:

{{blockquote|''He's trying a 63-yard field goal. Not only will Tom Dempsey if he hits this one--he has a very slight wind at his back--he'll set a National Football League record, in addition to winning the game. (Dempsey kicks) I don't believe this..."IT'S GOOD! I DON'T BELIEVE IT! THE FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT WAS GOOD FROM 63 YARDS AWAY! It's the incredible! Tulane Stadium has gone wild! A 63-yard field goal!''}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


Line 252: Line 445:
[[Category:1970 National Football League season by team|New Orleans Saints]]
[[Category:1970 National Football League season by team|New Orleans Saints]]
[[Category:1970 in sports in Louisiana|New Orl]]
[[Category:1970 in sports in Louisiana|New Orl]]


{{Americanfootball-season-stub}}

Latest revision as of 12:03, 17 October 2024

1970 New Orleans Saints season
OwnerJohn W. Mecom Jr.
General managerVic Schwenk
Head coachTom Fears (1–5–1)
J. D. Roberts (1–6)
Home fieldTulane Stadium
Results
Record2–11–1
Division place4th NFC West
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersNone
Logo of New Orleans Saints (1967-1999)

The 1970 New Orleans Saints season was the team's fourth as a member of the National Football League. After spending their first three seasons in the NFL's Eastern Conference, the Saints moved in 1970 to the West Division of the new National Football Conference. They failed to improve on their previous season's output of 5–9, winning only two games,[1] and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

Following a 1–5–1 start, head coach Tom Fears was fired by owner John W. Mecom Jr. and replaced by J.D. Roberts,[2][3][4] whose first game was a 19–17 victory over the Detroit Lions at Tulane Stadium in which Tom Dempsey set an NFL record with a 63-yard field goal on the final play;[5] it broke the record held by Bert Rechichar of the Baltimore Colts by seven yards, set seventeen years earlier.[6][7] Dempsey's record was tied by three: Jason Elam (Denver Broncos, 1998), Sebastian Janikowski (Oakland Raiders, 2011), and David Akers (San Francisco 49ers, 2012). It was broken by Matt Prater of the Broncos in 2013, at 64 yards at elevation in Colorado (Prater's record was broken in 2021 by Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens, who kicked a 66-yard game winner vs. the Lions).

The victory over the Lions was last of the season for the Saints, but both victories came over teams in the thick of the NFC playoff race. The other, a 14–10 triumph over the New York Giants in week three, cost the Giants the NFC East division championship. The Lions qualified for the playoffs as the wild card from the NFC, but were nearly forced into a coin toss with the Dallas Cowboys, a situation which was only averted when the Giants lost their season finale to the Los Angeles Rams.

The Saints' 2–11–1 record was the worst in the NFC and gave them the second overall pick in the 1971 NFL draft; they selected quarterback Archie Manning of Mississippi.

Offseason

[edit]

NFL draft

[edit]
Main article: 1970 NFL draft
1970 New Orleans Saints draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 10 Ken Burrough *  Wide receiver Texas Southern
3 62 Clovis Swinney  Defensive tackle Arkansas State
4 88 Delles Howell  Defensive back Grambling
5 106 Glenn Cannon  Defensive back Mississippi
5 126 Steve Ramsey  Quarterback North Texas State
6 140 Mel Easley  Defensive back Oregon State
7 166 Lon Woodard  Defensive end San Diego State
8 192 Larry Estes  Defensive end Alcorn A&M
9 218 Jim Otis *  Running back Ohio State
10 244 Jim Brumfield  Running back Indiana State
11 270 Gary Klahr  Linebacker Arizona
12 296 Willie Davenport  Defensive back Southern
13 322 Ralph Miller  Tight end Alabama State
14 348 Doug Sutherland  Defensive end Wisconsin-Superior
15 374 Jim Vest  Defensive end Washington State
16 400 Cliff Gaspar  Defensive tackle Grambling
17 426 Doug Wyatt  Defensive back Tulsa
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[8]

Personnel

[edit]

Staff

[edit]
1970 New Orleans Saints staff

Front office

  • President – John W. Mecom, Jr.
  • General Manager – Vic Schwenk
  • Director of Player Personnel – Jack Faulkner

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches




[9]

Roster

[edit]
1970 New Orleans Saints roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Reserve


Rookies in italics

Schedule

[edit]
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 20 Atlanta Falcons L 3–14 0–1 Tulane Stadium 77,042
2 September 27 at Minnesota Vikings L 0–26 0–2 Metropolitan Stadium 47,900
3 October 4 New York Giants W 14–10 1–2 Tulane Stadium 69,126
4 October 11 at St. Louis Cardinals L 17–24 1–3 Busch Memorial Stadium 45,294
5 October 18 at San Francisco 49ers T 20–20 1–3–1 Kezar Stadium 39,446
6 October 25 at Atlanta Falcons L 14–32 1–4–1 Atlanta Stadium 58,850
7 November 1 Los Angeles Rams L 17–30 1–5–1 Tulane Stadium 77,861
8 November 8 Detroit Lions W 19–17 2–5–1 Tulane Stadium 66,910
9 November 15 at Miami Dolphins L 10–21 2–6–1 Miami Orange Bowl 42,866
10 November 22 Denver Broncos L 6–31 2–7–1 Tulane Stadium 66,837
11 November 29 at Cincinnati Bengals L 6–26 2–8–1 Riverfront Stadium 59,342
12 December 6 at Los Angeles Rams L 16–34 2–9–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 66,410
13 December 13 San Francisco 49ers L 27–38 2–10–1 Tulane Stadium 61,940
14 December 20 Chicago Bears L 3–24 2–11–1 Tulane Stadium 63,518
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

[edit]
NFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
San Francisco 49ers 10 3 1 .769 3–2–1 6–3–1 352 267 W3
Los Angeles Rams 9 4 1 .692 4–1–1 7–3–1 325 202 W1
Atlanta Falcons 4 8 2 .333 3–2–1 3–6–2 206 261 L1
New Orleans Saints 2 11 1 .154 0–5–1 2–8–1 172 347 L6

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

Quotes

[edit]

Al Wester of WWL Radio describes Tom Dempsey's 63-yard field goal against the Detroit Lions.

Here’s the snap. The ball is down. Dempsey's kick is on the way. And...it is good! It’s good! It’s good! The Saints have won! The Saints have won! The stadium is wild. Dempsey is being mobbed. The time has run out, and the Saints have won, 19-17! Dempsey with a 63-yard field goal! The longest field goal in the history of the National League!

Don Criqui describing the same play for CBS:

He's trying a 63-yard field goal. Not only will Tom Dempsey if he hits this one--he has a very slight wind at his back--he'll set a National Football League record, in addition to winning the game. (Dempsey kicks) I don't believe this..."IT'S GOOD! I DON'T BELIEVE IT! THE FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT WAS GOOD FROM 63 YARDS AWAY! It's the incredible! Tulane Stadium has gone wild! A 63-yard field goal!

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 1970 New Orleans Saints
  2. ^ "Saints bounce Fears as head coach". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. November 4, 1970. p. 25.
  3. ^ "Fears fired by Saints". Pittsburgh Press. UPI. November 4, 1970. p. 73.
  4. ^ "Saints get new coach". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). UPI. November 4, 1970. p. 11.
  5. ^ "63-yard FG lifts Saints over Lions". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. November 9, 1970. p. 25.
  6. ^ "Dempsey's 63 yard FG jolts Lions". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. November 9, 1970. p. 1, part 2.[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ "Colts jolt Bears, 13-9, get record 56-yard field goal". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. September 28, 1953. p. 2, part 2.[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ "1970 New Orleans Saints draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  9. ^ "All-Time Roster". NewOrleansSaints.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2012.


Stub icon

This article relating to an American football season is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=1970_New_Orleans_Saints_season&oldid=1251672254"