Dome Patrol
The Dome Patrol was the nickname of the New Orleans Saints football team's linebacker corps of the late 1980s and the early 1990s. The Dome Patrol was rated by NFL Network as the #1 linebacker corps of all-time.[1]
Its members were:
- OLB Rickey Jackson (#57), 6 Pro Bowl Selections (1983, 84, 85, 86, 92, 93) (New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame, Pro Football Hall of Fame)[2]
- MLB Sam Mills (#51), 5 Pro Bowl Selections (1987, 88, 91, 92, 96)[3]
- MLB Vaughan Johnson (#53), 4 Pro Bowl Selections (1989, 90, 91, 92)[4]
- OLB Pat Swilling (#56), 5 Pro Bowl Selections (1989, 90, 91, 92, 93) (First Team All-Pro 91, 92)[5]
During the Dome Patrol's reign, the New Orleans Saints made four playoff appearances, including the franchise's first ever playoff appearance in 1987. The Saints also claimed one western division title. The Saints' defense led the league in least points surrendered and turnovers in 1991, and again in least points surrendered in 1992. The defense also boasted twenty-seven games giving up ten or fewer points, with five shutouts. The four linebackers made NFL history by collectively being named to the Pro Bowl in 1992.[6]
The "Dome Patrol" nickname was immortalized on a poster made in 1986, featuring all four players.[7][8]
[edit] References
- ^ "Top 10 Linebacking Corps: Jim Mora's Saints". http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-top-ten/09000d5d80748277/Top-Ten-Linebacking-Corps-Jim-Mora-s-Saints.
- ^ "Pro-Football-Reference: Ricky Jackson". http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JackRi01.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
- ^ "Pro-Football-Reference: Sam Mills". http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MillSa00.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
- ^ "Pro-Football-Reference: Vaughn Johnson". http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnVa01.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
- ^ "Pro-Football-Reference: Pat Swilling". http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SwilPa00.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
- ^ "New Orleans Saints History: Dome Patrol". http://www.nosaintshistory.com/bios/The_Dome_Patrol.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
- ^ [1] SportsNOLA.com - "Dome Patrol" poster image
- ^ [2] community.foxsports.com - "Dome Patrol" poster image
[edit] External links
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![[1]](http://www.sportsnola.com/imagesnov/sports/saints/dome_patrol_poster.jpg){kind=link}
![[2]](http://fast1.onesite.com/community.foxsports.com/user/h8t3d1/e20d6b67c24c9f0a13b8a695b13c7acb.jpg?v=270000){kind=link}