Rise of the Saints: A Quarterback's Journey Through History
The New Orleans Saints have a rich history filled with remarkable performances by their quarterbacks. From the early days of Archie Manning to the current talents of Taysom Hill, the Saints have had their fair share of game-changing players. The journey of the Saints quarterback has been a tumultuous one, filled with ups and downs, but the resilience and determination of these players have cemented their status as some of the best in the NFL.
Archie Manning's era marked the beginning of the Saints quarterback story. The first overall pick in the 1971 draft, Manning played for the Saints from 1971 to 1981. He faced his fair share of challenges, including the Saints' poor performance in the early years of the franchise. "The good times were few and far between," Manning said in an interview with the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "But we were a team on the rise, and I'm proud to have been a part of it." Manning set numerous franchise records, including most career passing yards and touchdowns.
Archie's son, Peyton Manning, chose not to play for his father's old team, instead joining the Indianapolis Colts in 1998. The Saints continued to search for the perfect quarterback. They found him in Brett Favre, who played for the Saints in 2005. Favre's passion and energy were just what the team needed, but a season-ending injury marred his time in New Orleans.
The Saints then turned to Drew Brees, who joined the team in 2006. Brees brought a level of consistency and accuracy that would become the hallmark of the Saints' quarterback position. During his 15-year tenure, the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV and established themselves as a top contender in the NFL. "Drew was more than just a quarterback, he was a leader," said Saints coach Sean Payton. "He set the tone for our entire team and helped us achieve greatness."
Several quarterbacks have shared the field with Brees, including Jimmy Garoppolo and Taysom Hill. The current quarterback situation is a tale of two players: Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill. Both have faced numerous challenges throughout their careers.
Taysom Hill's road to the starting position was a long one. He began as a wide receiver and quickly converted to a wild card versatile option.
• Signed by the Green Bay Packers in 2017 as a running back option for the team's 53-man roster.
• Spent four seasons with the Saints as a specialist on the punt team.
