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Thinking about the Alontae Taylor pick reminded me of a great Saints draft story
Posted on 5/6/22 at 6:25 pm
Posted on 5/6/22 at 6:25 pm
I believe Peter Finney, of the old Times Picayune, was the source of this story
In 1974, John North was the Saints head coach. The Saints were picking 13th in round 1. When it was the Saints turn to pick, North asked the Saints director of player personnel, "Who is the best outside linebacker in this year's draft?" The guy told North, "The best linebacker this year is Randy Gradishar, but he's a middle linebacker." Those of you old enough to remember, know that Gradishar was an All-American at Ohio State and a great NFL prospect. He was still available at #13 because he had some knee injuries.
North told the guy, "I've already got a MLB (Joe Federspiel). Who's the best OLB?" The personnel guy responded, "Rick Middleton, but he's not a first round talent." North said, "draft him."
Rick Middleton spent 4 or 5 very forgettable years in the league as a backup OLB before moving on with his life. He eventually became a high school history teacher.
Randy Gradishar was selected by the Denver Broncos the next pick after Middleton. He was named to seven Pro Bowls, was named first- or second-team All-Pro six times, first- or second-team All-AFC seven times, and was voted NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1978 by the AP, Pro Football Weekly, and NEA.
In 1974, John North was the Saints head coach. The Saints were picking 13th in round 1. When it was the Saints turn to pick, North asked the Saints director of player personnel, "Who is the best outside linebacker in this year's draft?" The guy told North, "The best linebacker this year is Randy Gradishar, but he's a middle linebacker." Those of you old enough to remember, know that Gradishar was an All-American at Ohio State and a great NFL prospect. He was still available at #13 because he had some knee injuries.
North told the guy, "I've already got a MLB (Joe Federspiel). Who's the best OLB?" The personnel guy responded, "Rick Middleton, but he's not a first round talent." North said, "draft him."
Rick Middleton spent 4 or 5 very forgettable years in the league as a backup OLB before moving on with his life. He eventually became a high school history teacher.
Randy Gradishar was selected by the Denver Broncos the next pick after Middleton. He was named to seven Pro Bowls, was named first- or second-team All-Pro six times, first- or second-team All-AFC seven times, and was voted NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1978 by the AP, Pro Football Weekly, and NEA.
This post was edited on 5/6/22 at 7:33 pm
7
Posted on 5/6/22 at 6:53 pm to L.A.
quote:
now in the NFL Hall of Fame
Randy Gradishar?
Posted on 5/6/22 at 7:19 pm to Lester Earl
Posted on 5/6/22 at 7:21 pm to L.A.
quote:
now in the NFL Hall of Fame
Has anyone told Randy or the Hall of Fame?
Posted on 5/6/22 at 7:27 pm to L.A.
So is Alontae Taylor Middleton or Gradishar?
Posted on 5/6/22 at 8:34 pm to PNW_TigerSaint
He’s obviously the guy who ended up being a history teacher.
Come on man lol
Come on man lol
Posted on 5/6/22 at 8:40 pm to Lester Earl
Why are you such a douche bag?
That whole post, yet you chose the one thing that may or may not be correct to nitpick
Even if you’re right, good lord you’re such a tool
That whole post, yet you chose the one thing that may or may not be correct to nitpick
Even if you’re right, good lord you’re such a tool
Posted on 5/7/22 at 6:34 am to TheRouxGuru
quote:
Why are you such a douche bag?
Lester is Lester.
quote:
That whole post, yet you chose the one thing that may or may not be correct to nitpick
Well, I'd say that is pretty significant and it is not correct. There is no may or may not.
quote:
Even if you’re right, good lord you’re such a tool
He is right. And yeah, he is generally a tool as well.
Posted on 5/7/22 at 6:44 am to L.A.
It's like the saints were happy with what they got in the first round and put a bunch of names on pieces of paper of players they liked folded them up and put them in a bag shook it up and drafted whatever name that was picked from the bag. The second round was a head scratcher but we are used to that with Mickey
This post was edited on 5/7/22 at 6:45 am
Posted on 5/8/22 at 12:29 am to L.A.
That's not the story about that pick that Buddy D told.
Apparently, the Saints GM at the time said after they drafted Rick Middleton from Ohio State instead of the his higher rated teammate for a reason. Gradishar only looked better "because they were running away from Middleton."
Apparently, the Saints GM at the time said after they drafted Rick Middleton from Ohio State instead of the his higher rated teammate for a reason. Gradishar only looked better "because they were running away from Middleton."
Posted on 5/8/22 at 1:08 am to Jwho77
quote:
Apparently, the Saints GM at the time said after they drafted Rick Middleton from Ohio State instead of the his higher rated teammate for a reason. Gradishar only looked better "because they were running away from Middleton."
Good Lord
Old timer Saints fans deserve some kind of medal for what we've been through with this team
Posted on 5/8/22 at 5:19 pm to L.A.
quote:
In 1974, John North was the Saints head coach. The Saints were picking 13th in round 1. When it was the Saints turn to pick, North asked the Saints director of player personnel, "Who is the best outside linebacker in this year's draft?" The guy told North, "The best linebacker this year is Randy Gradishar, but he's a middle linebacker." Those of you old enough to remember, know that Gradishar was an All-American at Ohio State and a great NFL prospect. He was still available at #13 because he had some knee injuries.
North told the guy, "I've already got a MLB (Joe Federspiel). Who's the best OLB?" The personnel guy responded, "Rick Middleton, but he's not a first round talent." North said, "draft him."
I know the draft is drastically different now than it was in the 70s. (I heard Archie recently tell the story that he was called out of class at Ole Miss during the day, asked to come do a little photo shoot, then sent back to class.) However, I feel like this was a conversation that should have been had quite a bit sooner than when the Saints were on the clock.
And who the frick was John North and how did he have the juice to make that call period, especially since he clearly did zero prep work whatsoever? When’s the last HC that wasn’t familiar with probably at least the top 100 players on their board? And this a-hole couldn’t even go 13 deep? 
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