re: Alltime Saints Jersey # Countdown to First Preseason Game

all time # link


In his only season with the Saints, Dwight Smith appeared in 15 games, all starts, and registered 86 tackles, one sack, two interceptions, seven passes defensed and two forced fumbles. He was released once Sean Payton took over. I really didn't understand the move at the time as he was really one of our only good defensive players.



But today, I'm going to go with RB Mario Bates. In true Saints fashion of the time... coulda, woulda, shoulda been a good running back.



Drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the 2nd round (44th overall) of the 1994 NFL Draft. Played four years for the Saints with 40 starts, 678 carries for 2554 yards 21 touchdowns and 44 receptions for 262 yards. He played 2 years for Arizona and 1 year for Detroit after that.


I remember he had a great pre season and missed the first half of the season because his teammate broke his jaw in a bar fight. Only the Saints.

quote:

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New Orleans Saints running back MARIO BATES, the team's No. 2 draft pick this year, will miss up to six weeks after having his jaw broken by teammate LORENZO NEAL, the club said.

Bates and Neal went out after the Saints' 38-24 loss to the Washington Redskins on Sunday night, ending up at Club 57, a lounge owned by former Saints linebacker RICKEY JACKSON. "Neither one of them are quite sure as to exactly what happened," Coach Jim Mora said. "Things got out of hand and we've got a player with a broken jaw."

Bates was hospitalized to have the jaw surgically repaired. There will be no disciplinary action.

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