The 70s were the first full decade in Saints history, so a much larger pool to pick from. The Saints didn’t have a winning season during this entire period and they never made the playoffs. They did go .500 for the first time ever in 1979, finishing 8-8, and missing the playoffs on a last second field goal in the final week of the season. Otherwise, their best records in the 70s were 7-9 once and 5-9 twice. Needless to say there was a lot of losing.
1. Archie Manning, QB – He made the Pro Bowl twice during this span and quarterbacked the Saints to 31 of their 42 wins in the 70s. As explosive with his legs as with his arm. He was the first player inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame (along with Danny Abramowicz) in 1988. Despite always have a very weak supporting case he did his best to carry the franchise on his back. He’s second in team history for passing yards and third in touchdown passes.
2. Derland Moore, DT – A dominant player starting in 1973 who quickly became an unquestioned starter throughout the 70s. They didn’t start counting sacks until 1982 which is too bad because Moore would have had a lot of them and been up there in Saints history. Along with Marques Colston he’s one of the best Saints players to never make a Pro Bowl. He was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 1991 as the 6th player ever.
3. Tommy Myers, S – Was the third player inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 1989. He’s second all time in team history with 36 interceptions. He made his only Pro Bowl in 1979 thanks to a 7 interception season. He was a solid starter from 1972 to 1981, consistently providing playmaking production.
4. Chuck Muncie, RB – Off the field issues tarnished a very productive career on the field for Muncie. His character and drug problems are what kept him from the Saints Hall of Fame. But it’s undeniable he was a beast on the field. He was the first back to ever break 1,000 yards rushing for the Saints in 1979 with 1,198 yards, which landed him in the Pro Bowl. That’s still 7th most all time in Saints history for a single season today. Muncie is 6th all time in team history for career rushing yards and 4th all time in team career rushing touchdowns.
5. Henry Childs, TE – Inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 1994, Childs in 3rd all time in Saints history for career receptions by a tight end. He made the Pro Bowl in 1979 but his best season was probably 1978. He’s also 2nd in team career touchdown receptions by a tight end and 7th in team career touchdown receptions overall.
6. Tony Galbreath, FB – Combined with Muncie to form a formidable tandem in the backfield referred to as “thunder and lightning”. Galbreath was an excellent short yardage bruising back and was also very good catching the ball out of the backfield. Inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 1991. He’s 9th all time in team history in career receptions. His 74 receptions in the 1978 season was a team single season record at the time. His career 27 rushing touchdowns is 5th all time in team history.
7. John Hill, C – Inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 1992 he was a tremendous leader and reliable blocker. Played with the Saints from 1975-1984.
8. Danny Abramowicz, WR – His best season came in 1969, but he was still a productive receiver in the 70s. He had 55 catches for 906 yards and 5 touchdowns in 1970 and a couple decent seasons leading the Saints in receiving after that.
9. Joe Federspiel, LB – 1993 Saints Hall of Fame inductee. A reliable tackler and consistently tough player in the trenches. Played from 1972 to 1980.
10. Wes Chandler – WR – Made the Pro Bowl in 1979 with 1,069 yards receiving (65 catches, 6 touchdowns) which at the time was a team single season record.
Previous entries:
Top 10 from 1960s
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