Team Spirit author Mark Stewart talks about the OVERTIME web page.

Mark picks his favorite Saints.

What’s new with the New Orleans Saints? That’s what this page is all about.

The Team Spirit OVERTIME website begins where the Team Spirit books end.

That’s because football never stands still … And I can never squeeze everything I want into 48 pages!

Scroll down for team updates, player profiles, and stats you won’t find in the book. Click on the videos to the left to hear me talk about Team Spirit OVERTIME as well as my favorite players. And take a look below at some of the Saints collectibles I have in my home—pretty cool, right?

Enjoy this site, check back whenever you like, and contact me with any questions or comments.

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Updates

2022 Season

2022 Season Roundup: New Orleans fans never knew what to expect from their team from week to week in 2022. Some games the Saints looked great and other games they looked terrible. Injuries to stars Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry, Marshon Lattimore, and quarterback Jameis Winston were part of the problem. Many blamed new coach Mike Allen, who took over from Sean Payton following his retirement. A three-game winning streak in December came too late, and the Saints missed the playoffs with a 7–10 record.

2022 Season Preview: New coach Dennis Allen has a great defense to work with, and an offense featuring three good receivers: Jarvis Landry, Michael Thomas, and rookie Chris Olave. If quarterback Jameis Winston is healthy and his blocking holds up, they may have enough firepower to worry the Buccaneers, whom the Saints beat twice last season.

2021 Season

2021 Season Roundup: If there was an award for a coach who leads his team to a winning record starting three different quarterbacks, Sean Payton would win it. The Saints finished 9–8 and just missed the playoffs after losing passers Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill to injury and finishing the year with Trevor Siemian. The New Orleans defense kept the club in most games, thanks to outstanding play by Marshon Lattimore, J.T. Gray, Demario Davis, and Cameron Jordan. Alvin Kamara had another brilliant year in the Saints’ backfield, with more than 1,300 rushing and receiving yards, as well as 9 touchdowns.

October 31, 2021: After injuries kept their first two quarterbacks off the field, the Saints beat Tom Brady and the Super Bowl-winning Buccaneers 36–27 behind third-string QB Trevor Siemian and a big-play defense.

2021 Season Preview: New Orleans fans accustomed to watching Drew Brees drill passes all over the field will have to get used to watching Jameis Winston (or someone else) guide the offense in 2021, since Brees hung up his pads and retired. Alvin Kamara will shoulder more of the load, which could mean a 100-catch, 1,000-yard rushing season—or lots of time on the injured list. One thing that won’t change for the Saints is its attacking defense, which should be one of the best in the NFL again this year.

2020 Season

2020 Season Roundup: The Saints edged the Buccaneers for the NFC South title, but lost to Tampa Bay in the playoffs in a battle between future Hall of Famers Drew Brees and Tom Brady. New Orleans had won their two regular-season meetings. At age 41, Brees was good when he was healthy, but missed four games due to injury. Alvin Kamara was the difference-maker for the offense, with an NFL-best 21 touchdowns as a runner and receiver. The Saints defense was one of the best in the league, with great years from Cameron Jordan, Marshon Lattimore, Trey Hendrickson, and Demario Davis.

December 25, 2020: Alvin Kamara ran for six touchdowns in a 52–33 victory over the Vikings. The six rushing TDs tied a record set by Hall of Famer Ernie Nevers in 1929.

October 25, 2020: Drew Brees completed the 7,000th pass of his career. He is the first player in history with that many completions.

2020 Season Preview: Bad luck in the playoffs has ended Super Bowl runs three years in a row, but the Saints have a good chance of making it back to the big game in 2020. Drew Brees is still a top quarterback, and the New Orleans defense looks fantastic heading into the season. The Saints should put a lot of points on the board thanks to Alvin Kamara, their exciting pass-catching running back, and Michael Thomas, their record-breaking wide receiver.

2019 Season

2019 Season Roundup: Drew Brees missed five games for the Saints with a thumb injury but they barely skipped a beat, finishing the year 13–3. Brees still turned in a Pro Bowl season, but for the third year in a row New Orleans lost a heartbreaker in the playoffs—this time to the Vikings in overtime. Alvin Kamara was sensational as a do-it-all running back, while Michael Thomas led the league with 149 catches and 1,725 receiving yards. Thomas’s 149 receptions set a new NFL record, breaking a mark that had stood for 17 years. He was also named Offensive Player of the Year.

December 22, 2019: Michael Thomas broke Marvin Harrison’s NFL record for receptions when he caught his 144th pass of the season against the Titans.

December 16, 2019: Drew Brees set a new NFL career record for touchdown passes with his 540th in a win over the Colts.

October 27, 2019: Drew Brees became the first quarterback to throw for more than 75,000 yards in his career.

2019 Season Preview: Can the Saints make another run at the Super Bowl after two heartbreaking playoff losses? Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, Latavius Murray, Michael Thomas, and Jared Cook give New Orleans championship-caliber stars at key positions on offense. The defense has some big question marks, especially when it comes to stopping the pass.

2018 Season

2018 Season Roundup: The Saints finished 13–3 and had a nine-game winning streak between Week 2 and Week 12. Drew Brees was fantastic as usual, along with the unstoppable backfield duo of Mark Ingram II and Alvin Kamara. Receiver Michael Thomas led the NFL with 125 catches. The New Orleans defense, sparked by rookie Marshon Lattimore, made big plays when it had to. The Saints made it to the NFC Championship game against the Rams, but lost in overtime. A poor decision by an official near the end of regulation probably cost Brees a chance to play in his second Super Bowl.

2018 Season Preview: Rookie of the Year Alvin Kamara is only going to get better in 2018, quarterback Drew Brees looks 10 years younger than his 39 years, and the New Orleans O-line is as good as any in football. That translates into an offense that can score from anywhere on the field. The defense has shown it can rise to the occasion against the league’s best receivers, and is solid against in the run. The Saints should be right there in December challenging for the NFC South crown.

2017 Season

2017 Season Roundup: The Saints blended veteran stars and exciting newcomers to win the NFC South with an 11–5 record. Drew Brees threw for 4,334 yards, Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara ran for 1,852 yards and caught 139 passes and were both picked for the Pro Bowl. Lineman Cameron Jordan led a defense that also starred rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore. The Saints nearly reached the NFC championship game, but lost to the Vikings on a last-second play.

December 24, 2017: During a win over the Falcons, Drew Brees became the third quarterback in history to pass for more than 70,000 yards. He joined Brett Favre and Peyton Manning in the “70,000 Club.” In the same game, Brees set a new record with his 12th season in a row with more than 4,000 passing yards.

October 12, 2017: Drew Brees threw the 500th touchdown pass of his career in a win over the Green Bay Packers. He is just the 4th NFL player with 500 TD passes.

2017 Season Preview: The Saints’ offense should be fun to watch in 2017, with Drew Brees passing and a running attack that features Adrian Peterson and Mark Ingram. The defense has a couple of playmakers, but mostly players who need to show they can make plays. If the D comes together, New Orleans could easily put together a winning season.

2016 Season

2016 Season Roundup: The Saints set a record in 2016, but not one the fans like to boast about. They became the first NFL club to go 7–9 three years in a row. Seven of those losses were games they could have won with a big play and a little luck in the 4th quarter. Drew Brees had another sensational season with over 5,000 passing yards and 37 touchdowns. But the defense gave up 454 points, and it’s hard to win games when you’re always playing catch-up.

2016 Season Preview: Forget about the New Orleans offense—it’s excellent thanks to Drew Brees and a talented group of runners and receivers. The defense has to step up in 2016 for the Saints to return to the playoffs. The secondary has great potential, with Delvin Breaux, Kenny Vacarro and Jarius Byrd. Closer to the line is where the improvement must come from. The rebuilding starts with Cameron Jordan and rookie Sheldon Rankins.

2015 Season

January 3, 2016: Drew Brees became the first quarterback in history to throw for 4,500 yards six years in a row.

December 6, 2015: Stephone Anthony became the first player ever to return a blocked extra-point kick for a two-point score.

November 1, 2015: Drew Brees passed for 7 touchdowns in a wild 52–49 win over the Giants. Eli Manning threw 6 TD passes for New York. Their 13 total scoring passes broke a record that had lasted since 1969. The 101 points was the third-highest total in NFL history.

2015 Season Preview: Age and injuries may finally be catching up with Drew Brees. One of his favorite receivers, Jimmy Graham, left as a free agent. The New Orleans offense is still above-average, however, so a lot will depend on the defense, which should be better against the pass this year.

2014 Season

December 28, 2014: Drew Brees tied with Ben Roethlisberger of the league lead in passing yards. Brees also joined Hall of Famers Sonny Jurgensen and Dan Marino as the only QBs to lead the league 5 times.

September 1, 2014: No team in the NFC has better balance or talent than New Orleans. Drew Brees has new receivers to work with, and many believe this will be the breakout year for running back Mark Ingram. A defense geared toward stopping the pass is another strength of the Saints.

2013 Season

October 6, 2013: Jimmy Graham tied an NFL record for tight ends with his fourth 100-yard receiving day in a row. It was the second time in his career that Graham had four consecutive 100-yard games.

September 4, 2013: The return of coach Sean Payton should have a positive effect on an already-good offense. Drew Brees is one of the game’s best quarterbacks and Jimmy Graham has become an elite tight end. The defense has nowhere to go but up. It allowed more than 7,000 yards in 2012—more than any team in history. Linebacker Victor Butler—an unknown backup for the Cowboys—is one of the newcomers the Saints are hoping will make a difference.

2012 Roundup

February 2, 2013: Without their head coach—who was suspended by the league for a year—the Saints defense crumbled. New Orleans became the first team in history to give up more than 7,000 yards in a season. Even so, the powerful offense kept them in the playoff hunt until mid-December. They finished 7–9.

Summer, 2012: The Saints have the NFL’s hottest quarterback in Drew Brees. However, they are missing their head coach, Sean Payton, who is a genius at calling plays. Can the offense put up numbers in 2012 like it did last year?

More Go-To Guys

When George Rogers came out of college, some people were saying he was the best running back they ever saw. (Author’s Collection)

Am I crazy or does Bobby Hebert look like he’s 11 on this card? (Topps, Inc.)

Roman Harper signed this photo. He was a big reason the Saints became a Super Bowl contender. (Author’s Collection)

  • George Rogers — Running Back
    Born: 12/8/1958
    Played for Team: 1981 to 1984
    The Saints selected George Rogers with the first pick in the 1981 draft, and he rewarded them by leading the NFL in rushing with 1,647 yards. At the time, that was the most ever by a rookie. Rogers was the first of five Heisman Trophy winners drafted by the Saints in the first round. The others were Danny Wuerffel, Ricky Williams, Reggie Bush, and Mark Ingram.

  • Eric Martin — Receiver
    Born: 11/8/1961
    Played for Team: 1985 to 1993
    In 1987, Eric Martin helped the Saints reach the playoffs for the first time with 44 catches and seven touchdowns. From 1988 to 1993, he was one of the NFL’s most consistent receivers. Martin caught more than 60 passes each year, including a high of 85 in 1988.

  • Bobby Hebert — Quarterback
    Born: 8/19/1960
    Played for Team: 1985 to 1992
    Bobby Hebert was a Louisiana native who was nicknamed the “Cajun Cannon.” After leading the Saints to their first winning season and first trip to the playoffs, Hebert became a folk hero to New Orleans fans.

  • Aaron Brooks — Quarterback
    Born: 3/24/1976
    Played for Team: 2000 to 2005
    In his rookie season, Aaron Brooks took over the starting job after an injury to Jeff Blake. He helped the team win the NFC West, and then beat the St. Louis Rams in the playoffs—a year after the Rams had won the Super Bowl. During that game, the Saints lost Ricky Williams and Joe Horn, but Brooks threw four touchdown pass to give New Orleans its first-ever postseason victory.

  • Roman Harper — Defensive Back
    Born: 12/1//1982
    First Year with Team: 2006
    Roman Harper was one of the young defensive stars that helped the Saints win their first Super Bowl. He was good at covering pass receivers and had a special talent for sacking the quarterback. Opponents were never be sure where he would line up. Harper was a Pro Bowl pick in 2009 and 2010.

More Fun Facts

Archie looks a little like his son, Peyton, in this picture, doesn’t he? (Topps, Inc.)

  • JOE COLLEGE
    During the 1970s, one of the Saints’ most reliable players was linebacker Joe Federspiel. After his playing days, that same quality made Federspiel one of the top college football umpires in the Southeast Conference (SEC).

  • PERFECT TIMING
    Seven games into the 1970 season, the Saints fired their coach, Tom Fears, and hired J.D. Roberts to replace him. In Roberts’s first game, the Saints beat the Detroit Lions on Tom Dempsey’s famous 63-yard field goal.

  • ARCHIE! ARCHIE!
    In Archie Manning’s first NFL game, he led the Saints to victory over the powerhouse Los Angeles Rams with a touchdown run on the last play. A few weeks later, Manning stunned the Super Bowl-bound Dallas Cowboys 24–14.

League Leaders

All hail Drew Brees, the NFL’s new single-season passing champion! (Black Book Partners)

Defensive tackles almost never lead the league in sacks, but La’Roi Glover made it happen in 2000. (Topps, Inc.)

  • RUSHING YARDS
    1981 — George Rogers — 1,674

  • RECEIVING YARDS
    2019 — Michael Thomas — 1,725

  • PASSING YARDS
    2006 — Drew Brees — 4,418
    2008 — Drew Brees — 5,069
    2011 — Drew Brees — 5,476
    2012 — Drew Brees — 5,177
    2014 — Drew Brees — 4,952 (tied with abother player)
    2015 — Drew Brees — 4,870
    2016 — Drew Brees — 5,208

  • RUSHING TDs
    2013 — Jimmy Graham — 16

  • RECEIVING TDs
    No Saint has led the league in receiving touchdowns.

  • PASSING TDs
    2008 — Drew Brees — 34 (tied for NFL lead)
    2009 — Drew Brees — 34
    2011 — Drew Brees — 46
    2012 — Drew Brees — 43

  • POINTS
    No Saint has led the league in points.

  • INTERCEPTIONS
    2009 — Darren Sharper — 9 (tied for NFL lead)
    1967 — Dave Whitsell — 10 (tied for NFL lead)

  • SACKS
    1991 — Pat Swilling — 17
    2000 — La’Roi Glover — 17

Playing for the Championship

SEASON GAME OPPONENT SCORE
2006 NFC Championship Chicago Bears Lost 39–14
2009 NFC Championship Minnesota Vikings Won 31–28 (OT)
2009 Super Bowl XLIV Indianapolis Colts Won 31–17
2018 NFC Championship Los Angeles Rams Lost 26–23

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