I'm SO glad that the Dome Patrol is recognized by someone as the #1 linebacking corps in NFL history. THE BEST!!! RICKEY JACKSON NEEDS TO BE IN THE HALL OF FAME!
Sam Mills was the most underrated line backer in the history of the game. I love watching these guys as a kid growing up in La. Back then you could wait outside the players entrance and they would actually stop and say hello. Sam Mills was a kind and humble man who would always stop and say hello and sign autographs. What a great role model taken way to young. “Keep Pounding No 51”
I think they also wanted to show someone who represented some of those watching in that moment. The Saints Dome Patrol #1?? Those people would say watching at home. But where's those rings?? Bringing those people back to earth showcasing yes, these people not only belong but are at #1 for a reason.
I can't begin to imagine the fear that would run through your body when you saw Mills, Jackson, Johnson, and Swilling across the line...or the joy if you were on the Saints' sideline.
I've been a Niner fan since '87 and I DEFINITELY remember those 2-a-year Saints match ups. Walsh would uncharacteristically put in longer pass plays and fewer run plays. Sometimes that didn't work though when you were dealing with Swillings' speed. I saw him fall back into coverage on John Taylor one time and it blew me away how he was able to stick to him. Rickey Jackson ended up joining the Niners for a season or 2 and helped us win our 5th SB I think. To any Niners fans out there....just think, if Aldon Smith could've stayed the course of dignity and if Willis would've never retired. We would've had, along with up and comer Chris Borland and a returning Navarro Bowman, the illest LB squad since 2000 Ravens
Six-Ten Visuals the way you felt about your 49ers playing the Saints in the 80s is how I felt about Drew Brees having to deal with those 49ers linebackers from 2011-2013. Those guys were dangerous.
That linebacking corps from 2011-2013 was among the best in NFL history. Now look at today with Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw. Hell, even Azezz Al Shair is no slouch.
Rickey Jackson(CONGRADS!) was one of the greatest outside LBs in the 80s.A balance of pass rushing and cover skills.Pat Swilling was the best pass rusher after Lawrence Taylor.Sam Mills(RIP) an underrrated genius and leader/coach on the field.A respected and productive man for the Carolina Panthers also.Vaughn Johson was one of the hardest hitters that was overshadowed by this all star group. Ill rather listen to Bill Walsh and Roger Craig who played against these guys than a stuckup Steeler fan
I remember watching Niner games vs. the Saints and it seemed like the Niners a would avoid blocking the linemen to make sure they could block the Dome Patrol. Craig could outrun the D-Line. He couldn't get away from everyone on the Dome Patrol.
Carlito1988 I guess all those Saints Lombardi Trophies count for something. They're the Linebacking Corps with 4 from the 70's right, plus two Hall of Famer's?
Harry Douglas So you're saying the 'Aints of the late 80's and early 90's were better than the Steelers of the 70's? The team with 1 playoff win (if that many) vs 4 Lombardi Trophies?
Harry Douglas So now the Steelers linebackers of the 70's are overrated and weren't any good in your opinion? Everyone can think what they want but that's a strong opinion.
I had saints season tickets from 87 to 90 an I've never heard it so loud since, no joke... when the defense walk on the field, we went nuts... The dome patrol days definitely was louder.. It was so freaking loud
Rickey Jackson is a Hall of Famer and I'm sure Sam Mills and Pat Swilling will join him. I can see why their number one. Plus the Steelers did have a good offense.
If I had to describe in one word what made the Dome Patrol so exceptional, it would be *synergy.* If you take four linebackers who -- in terms of speed, quickness, strength, size and all the rest of it -- look ideal on paper, and throw them together, it won't necessarily produce anywhere near the desired results you think it will if each of them is an egocentric, emotionally infantile primadonna who doesn't work well with others. But if they're team players who have that intangible called "chemistry," then the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. That's synergy, in a nutshell. And the Dome Patrol had it.
Anyone notice the clear forward lateral by Dion Sanders? The postion of the ball is dead on the 40 yard line and the receiver grabs the ball dead on the 39. The Saints once again got screwed by a bad call, as was so common before replay.
Been a saints fan , I remember these days man I hoped for a offense because that defense was beastly they should have been recognized in 91 they were really hitting being number one in yhe league with Philly number 2 because the minister of defense Reggie White was a killa .
Seriously a book needs to be written about why so many contenders mid 80s to mid 90s failed to make the sb - saints, eagles, vikings, rams, jets, browns, oilers, chiefs and seahawks. No period in history can match this list.
I am from and still live in New Orleans but my first jersey was bought at Security sporting goods and it was # 43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1975 or 1976 can exactly remember(Frank Lewis from Grambling)I an fond of both linebacking, in fact all the Steeler linebacking "krewes" and the Saint's krewe.But its Steelers of the 70's.
At the 3:48 mark, the Steelers player (#33) who Jim Wilkes and Vaughan Johnson stopped on that game winning 4th down play at the goal line in 1987 to ensure the Saints' first ever winning season was none other than future ESPN personality Merril Hoge.
Yea Mark Madden speaks like a biased Steelers fan.That was all the Saints had were those guys.They are easily the best if not you don't have to go very far down the list of best before you get to them.They did not have enough other pieces to win a Championship.The Steelers had HOFers all over their defensive line and backfield so Madden is just an idiot who is a fanboy who cannot recognize greatness in other teams.I'm glad I don't have that kind of blindspot.
Chris Kreager Of course,people that played against are the ones you can believe.These writers and broadcasters especially ones who never played the game,let alone aginst those guys are simply being obviously biased.I mean they had 4 guys who were routinely in the pro bowl,all on the same defense.It's a shame they never won a Championship because that does make people forget your greatness or not consider it as well.You can never underestimate the importance of a decent QB and running game and had they had that,they might have a ring or two.
Never a losing season when the Dome Patrol was there. Man, wish Carl Smith's offense wasn't so ultra conservative. That was 99% of the problem right there.
The Dome Patrol is Rickey Jackson, Vaughan Johnson, Pat Swilling & Sam Mills. In 2009, we had Jonathan Vilma, Scott Fujita, Scott Shanle & Marvin Mitchell. Not to mention Jonathan Casillas, Anthony Waters & Troy Evans. Now we got James Laurinitis, Craig Robertson, & Nate Stupar! And don't forget about Stephone Anthony, Hau'oil Kikaha (who soon we be a Defensive End) Dannell Ellerbe, & Michael Mauti. We're in the making, y'all! #WhoDat #DomePatrol2016
As far as their defense with a 4 man LBer setup these guys were the best. As far as a 3 LBer setup 85 Bears (Singletary, Wilson n Marshall) were the best.
As great as that LB group was the Saints had absolutely nothing on the offensive side . They would lose games where all they needed was a first down once after many possessions only to 3& out each time and the great defense would just run out of gas . They were a legendary group of LB surrounded by sup .500 team
These guys are great but....The Steelers LB's were better. Steelers: Jack Lambert: 9x Pro Bowl, HOF Jack Ham: 8x Pro Bowl, HOF Andy Russell: 7x Pro Bowl All 3 made it to the pro bowl in 1975.
@coach1day Steelers had an entire great defense surrounding its LBs...great line and secondary. The Saints LBs had no support, they carried that defense and the entire team. Plus, as harsh as this might sound, during those great years of the Steelers, the AFC was overall inferior to the NFC. NFC west, which Saints were in, was considered to be the toughest in football during that era...49ers, Rams and Falcons. Saints defense played 6 games a year against 3 of the top offenses in NFL then.
@ 4:38 It's interesting how back then, they were saying if the Saints had an offense they would've won several championships and now we're saying if the Saints had a defense they would have won about 3 or 4 championships. The Saints just never seem to have both a strong offense and a strong defense to win multiple Super Bowls that they are capable of. @ 2:50 This guy sounds like a major hater.
@SQITT3Z I know. Saying you can't be considered good if you never won a super bowl means mark Madden thinks Dan Marino sucks. And Rickey Jackson won a super bowl with the 49ers in 1994
My question is what happened in that Falcons playoff game. The film shows Deion lateraling to Donaldson for a TD, but the game's box score on Pro Football Reference doesn't have it. Was it called back?
All 4 of their LB'S made atleast 4 pro bowls without a dominant d-line or a secondary & their offense sucked!! Name another linebacking core without no talent around them dominated like they did
That mark madden dude is a little greedy eh. I mean pitt has 6 superbowls, one of the best defences ever, numerous hall of famers. And this dude is crying that we got the 1 spot witch we should have. I mean at least give us that.
@eXfaktor8360 exMan, I predicted it 2 months ago....guess my taking Big Ben into the French Quarter the night before worked..boy, you should see some of the pics I took! ;-)
@coach1day the list is about the BEST LINEBACKERS OF ALL TIME,not the best defense of all time. DAMN IT MAN, you steelers fans have enough credit already,your got damn team been around 40 years before the SAINTS even was born. Shit let the SAINTS have their fun in the sun,you guys have to take credit for everything
is jim moras fault we couldnt win 1 damn playoff game,you dont need a good offense to win a superbowl ,tampa and ravens proved that they could win and not have an offense
no mark madden is right the saints have not won a playoff game in those years and they did not go to the superbowl. so you can hate on mark madden all you want to.
but who did the dome patrol have when they were not on the field and the offense was playing? The steel curtain had arguably the best quarterback of the 70s on their side along with lynn swan and other great offensive players
The Dome Patrol also had nobody in front of them. They did not have a dominant defensive line like the Steelers did. They did have to make plays all on their own.
Nobody is arguing those facts. It is his conclusion that those facts mean they can't be the best ever that people disagree with. Try and keep up. That would be like saying Barry Sanders couldn't be the best RB of all time because he only won a single playoff game his entire career. Stupid conclusion to jump to.
The Great Bill Walsh back then even said if we had a OFFENSE,the SAINTS would have been a threat in the NFC WEST. They would have been a DYNASTY
I'm SO glad that the Dome Patrol is recognized by someone as the #1 linebacking corps in NFL history. THE BEST!!! RICKEY JACKSON NEEDS TO BE IN THE HALL OF FAME!
Imagine Drew Brees offense with these boys Defense
Yep. They could just pin their ears back and attack.
The Dome Patrol was the reason I became a Saints fan.
Sam Mills was the most underrated line backer in the history of the game. I love watching these guys as a kid growing up in La. Back then you could wait outside the players entrance and they would actually stop and say hello. Sam Mills was a kind and humble man who would always stop and say hello and sign autographs. What a great role model taken way to young. “Keep Pounding No 51”
Only dislike was from Mark Madden
Did they REALLY have to insert Mark Madden into this?
he's a moron
I think they also wanted to show someone who represented some of those watching in that moment. The Saints Dome Patrol #1?? Those people would say watching at home. But where's those rings?? Bringing those people back to earth showcasing yes, these people not only belong but are at #1 for a reason.
I can't begin to imagine the fear that would run through your body when you saw Mills, Jackson, Johnson, and Swilling across the line...or the joy if you were on the Saints' sideline.
I've been a Niner fan since '87 and I DEFINITELY remember those 2-a-year Saints match ups. Walsh would uncharacteristically put in longer pass plays and fewer run plays. Sometimes that didn't work though when you were dealing with Swillings' speed. I saw him fall back into coverage on John Taylor one time and it blew me away how he was able to stick to him. Rickey Jackson ended up joining the Niners for a season or 2 and helped us win our 5th SB I think.
To any Niners fans out there....just think, if Aldon Smith could've stayed the course of dignity and if Willis would've never retired. We would've had, along with up and comer Chris Borland and a returning Navarro Bowman, the illest LB squad since 2000 Ravens
Six-Ten Visuals the way you felt about your 49ers playing the Saints in the 80s is how I felt about Drew Brees having to deal with those 49ers linebackers from 2011-2013. Those guys were dangerous.
That linebacking corps from 2011-2013 was among the best in NFL history.
Now look at today with Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw. Hell, even Azezz Al Shair is no slouch.
Rickey Jackson(CONGRADS!) was one of the greatest outside LBs in the 80s.A balance of pass rushing and cover skills.Pat Swilling was the best pass rusher after Lawrence Taylor.Sam Mills(RIP) an underrrated genius and leader/coach on the field.A respected and productive man for the Carolina Panthers also.Vaughn Johson was one of the hardest hitters that was overshadowed by this all star group. Ill rather listen to Bill Walsh and Roger Craig who played against these guys than a stuckup Steeler fan
the saints offense sold these dudes out,
james bondero and defensive backs and defensive linemen
james bondero they didn't have any offense, you are so right.
@@joeparks3040 Saints have some good defensive lineman remember Wayne Martin.
Just like this season smh
@@savant9482 after brees left i dont think there aint nuthin else to watch
I remember watching Niner games vs. the Saints and it seemed like the Niners a would avoid blocking the linemen to make sure they could block the Dome Patrol. Craig could outrun the D-Line. He couldn't get away from everyone on the Dome Patrol.
Mark Madden never sat well with me for some reason. After watching this for the 10th time, I'm reminded why.
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They were SCARY. The difference between them and the Steel Curtain was that the Steelers had HOF members everywhere.
All 4 of these dudes were beasts and went to at least a few pro bowls I can see they were #1
Saints were the best, followed by Pittsburgh with Lambert, Russell & Ham.
Carlito1988 I guess all those Saints Lombardi Trophies count for something. They're the Linebacking Corps with 4 from the 70's right, plus two Hall of Famer's?
It takes a team and yes the saints lb corps was the best
Harry Douglas So you're saying the 'Aints of the late 80's and early 90's were better than the Steelers of the 70's? The team with 1 playoff win (if that many) vs 4 Lombardi Trophies?
J High Nahhhh i'm saying their linebacker unit was better
Harry Douglas So now the Steelers linebackers of the 70's are overrated and weren't any good in your opinion? Everyone can think what they want but that's a strong opinion.
WHO DAT? THEY DAT! DAT'S WHO!!!!
Congratulations Rickey Jackson and all true Saints fans. It was a long wait, but I bet it was worth it.
I had saints season tickets from 87 to 90 an I've never heard it so loud since, no joke... when the defense walk on the field, we went nuts... The dome patrol days definitely was louder.. It was so freaking loud
Rickey Jackson is a Hall of Famer and I'm sure Sam Mills and Pat Swilling will join him. I can see why their number one. Plus the Steelers did have a good offense.
If I had to describe in one word what made the Dome Patrol so exceptional, it would be *synergy.* If you take four linebackers who -- in terms of speed, quickness, strength, size and all the rest of it -- look ideal on paper, and throw them together, it won't necessarily produce anywhere near the desired results you think it will if each of them is an egocentric, emotionally infantile primadonna who doesn't work well with others. But if they're team players who have that intangible called "chemistry," then the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. That's synergy, in a nutshell. And the Dome Patrol had it.
Anyone notice the clear forward lateral by Dion Sanders? The postion of the ball is dead on the 40 yard line and the receiver grabs the ball dead on the 39. The Saints once again got screwed by a bad call, as was so common before replay.
2:01 is probably one of the greatest things I've ever seen in a football game.
caje41 that was a great play
Damn. I'm Ravens guy but this group is not bad
To hell with Mark Madden. In his mind the only team in existence is Pittsburg
Rickey Jackson belongs in the Hall of Fame
Best group of lnebackers in NFL history- without a doubt!
Been a saints fan , I remember these days man I hoped for a offense because that defense was beastly they should have been recognized in 91 they were really hitting being number one in yhe league with Philly number 2 because the minister of defense Reggie White was a killa .
Seriously a book needs to be written about why so many contenders mid 80s to mid 90s failed to make the sb - saints, eagles, vikings, rams, jets, browns, oilers, chiefs and seahawks. No period in history can match this list.
Here is the question I have about Mark Madden: Is the closest thing he ever did in becoming an athlete is catch Athlete's foot?
I am from and still live in New Orleans but my first jersey was bought at Security sporting goods and it was # 43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1975 or 1976 can exactly remember(Frank Lewis from Grambling)I an fond of both linebacking, in fact all the Steeler linebacking "krewes" and the Saint's krewe.But its Steelers of the 70's.
R.I.P Sam Mills and Vaughn Johnson.
He is NOW! Wooooo-hooo! WHO DAT, BABAY!!!
At the 3:48 mark, the Steelers player (#33) who Jim Wilkes and Vaughan Johnson stopped on that game winning 4th down play at the goal line in 1987 to ensure the Saints' first ever winning season was none other than future ESPN personality Merril Hoge.
Jon de Silva dope!
rickey jackson IS in the hall of fame :)
WHO DAT
Yea Mark Madden speaks like a biased Steelers fan.That was all the Saints had were those guys.They are easily the best if not you don't have to go very far down the list of best before you get to them.They did not have enough other pieces to win a Championship.The Steelers had HOFers all over their defensive line and backfield so Madden is just an idiot who is a fanboy who cannot recognize greatness in other teams.I'm glad I don't have that kind of blindspot.
Makes no sense. You have guys like Roger Craig and Randy Cross praising the Dome Patrol. Then that.
Chris Kreager Of course,people that played against are the ones you can believe.These writers and broadcasters especially ones who never played the game,let alone aginst those guys are simply being obviously biased.I mean they had 4 guys who were routinely in the pro bowl,all on the same defense.It's a shame they never won a Championship because that does make people forget your greatness or not consider it as well.You can never underestimate the importance of a decent QB and running game and had they had that,they might have a ring or two.
How exactly is Pat Swilling not in the Hall of Fame? To me he's the best linebacker who's eligible but not yet inducted.
Randy Gradishar.
Saints would have won 3 championships easy if they had an offense
I once stood next to Pat Swilling and Sam Mills and said Rickey Jackson makes these two look small? NO WAY.
I love the comment Roger Craig made about us too!
I wish I could give you more than one thumbs up.
this was a great group of guys
Never a losing season when the Dome Patrol was there. Man, wish Carl Smith's offense wasn't so ultra conservative. That was 99% of the problem right there.
sam mills is the GOAT
R.I.P Sam Mills
mark madden, refresh my memory...was the entire Steelers defense on steroids?
Yes Sir the Only!
1:59 Unbelievable...
They played 4 times in the playoffs. 1987,1990,1991and 1992.
The Dome Patrol is Rickey Jackson, Vaughan Johnson, Pat Swilling & Sam Mills. In 2009, we had Jonathan Vilma, Scott Fujita, Scott Shanle & Marvin Mitchell. Not to mention Jonathan Casillas, Anthony Waters & Troy Evans. Now we got James Laurinitis, Craig Robertson, & Nate Stupar! And don't forget about Stephone Anthony, Hau'oil Kikaha (who soon we be a Defensive End) Dannell Ellerbe, & Michael Mauti. We're in the making, y'all! #WhoDat #DomePatrol2016
Gabriel D. Matthews II well....
Gabriel D. Matthews II Bounty hunters #skol
I love the Dome Patrol but Dallas is my team. Here's to a great game among great passers.
I believe we have the lineman, and DB's if we can find the 4 missing puzzle pieces we will dominate the NFL for years to come!!!
I think that kc Chiefs circa 2011-2016 should be considered top ten. Derrick Johnson, Tamba hali and Justin Houston
As far as their defense with a 4 man LBer setup these guys were the best. As far as a 3 LBer setup 85 Bears (Singletary, Wilson n Marshall) were the best.
The bears had a great d-line infront of them the saints didn't. And all 4 of the saints LB'S made at least 4 pro bowls without talent outside of them.
not even barry sanders can do that so i guess madden thinks he sucks too
GreekTheLlama exactly
Amen!
Rickey Jackson for the HOF.
I remember now. I have been trying to suppress that memory for a long time. Jack Daniel's made a lot of money off me because of that.
As great as that LB group was the Saints had absolutely nothing on the offensive side . They would lose games where all they needed was a first down once after many possessions only to 3& out each time and the great defense would just run out of gas . They were a legendary group of LB surrounded by sup .500 team
Yes these dudes were badass
I know Vaughn Johnson I live near him
Really that guy is a beast
pat swilling acts like hes mad with theworld wen u see him in public
Saints!
WHODAT !!!
These guys are great but....The Steelers LB's were better.
Steelers:
Jack Lambert: 9x Pro Bowl, HOF
Jack Ham: 8x Pro Bowl, HOF
Andy Russell: 7x Pro Bowl
All 3 made it to the pro bowl in 1975.
Where is tha 4 guy? EXACTLY
GO RICKEY JACKSON !!!!
I totally agree
i agree too
@coach1day Steelers had an entire great defense surrounding its LBs...great line and secondary. The Saints LBs had no support, they carried that defense and the entire team. Plus, as harsh as this might sound, during those great years of the Steelers, the AFC was overall inferior to the NFC. NFC west, which Saints were in, was considered to be the toughest in football during that era...49ers, Rams and Falcons. Saints defense played 6 games a year against 3 of the top offenses in NFL then.
Mark Madden disliked this video.
It doesn't help the Saints that they were stuck in the NFC West with the 49ers who were still in their dynasty either.
@ 4:38 It's interesting how back then, they were saying if the Saints had an offense they would've won several championships and now we're saying if the Saints had a defense they would have won about 3 or 4 championships. The Saints just never seem to have both a strong offense and a strong defense to win multiple Super Bowls that they are capable of.
@ 2:50 This guy sounds like a major hater.
@SQITT3Z I know. Saying you can't be considered good if you never won a super bowl means mark Madden thinks Dan Marino sucks. And Rickey Jackson won a super bowl with the 49ers in 1994
My question is what happened in that Falcons playoff game. The film shows Deion lateraling to Donaldson for a TD, but the game's box score on Pro Football Reference doesn't have it. Was it called back?
Yes, it was. Deion's lateral was actually an illegal forward pass.
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NO WAY IN THEEEEE HELLLL this is the #1 LB team of all time.
All 4 of their LB'S made atleast 4 pro bowls without a dominant d-line or a secondary & their offense sucked!! Name another linebacking core without no talent around them dominated like they did
Looks like one Falcon fan watched this video.
85 Giants have to be number one
I clicked on thinking this would be about the 1976 Steelers ????
That mark madden dude is a little greedy eh. I mean pitt has 6 superbowls, one of the best defences ever, numerous hall of famers. And this dude is crying that we got the 1 spot witch we should have. I mean at least give us that.
If defense wins championships, wtf happened, still trying to figure that out
You still need some sort of offense. Small Offense + Big Defense = Rings galore
james bondero need a whole defense. Like they said. Their defensive like and backs weren’t great
There QBs was doodoo
Put some respeck on our team
Have u ever heard of Jack Lambert,Jach Ham, and L.C Greenwood.
Andy Russell.. not L.C.
.. Greenwood played on the D line.
OfficialGamer126 LC Greenwood was a defensive end, clown
Core is 4 lbs
They really had to make plays to
.which is more outstanding..they didnt have bif name guys o the front so rhey had to fight off blocks all day
pat swilling's son goes to school with me. (Brother Martin High School)
@eXfaktor8360 exMan, I predicted it 2 months ago....guess my taking Big Ben into the French Quarter the night before worked..boy, you should see some of the pics I took! ;-)
@coach1day the list is about the BEST LINEBACKERS OF ALL TIME,not the best defense of all time. DAMN IT MAN, you steelers fans have enough credit already,your got damn team been around 40 years before the SAINTS even was born. Shit let the SAINTS have their fun in the sun,you guys have to take credit for everything
What do you mean "us"?
r u ac mechanic?
Best group of lb's? 1986 NY Giants and no team was close
4 Pro-Bowl LBs in one season is kinda hard to top TBH.
@@SimFootballFanatic and all four of them made the pro bowl atleast four times in their career without a dominant d-line
is jim moras fault we couldnt win 1 damn playoff game,you dont need a good offense to win a superbowl ,tampa and ravens proved that they could win and not have an offense
They defense put up points n there offense was better... I rather have tha Bucs WR Core with Key & Mcardell
Ridiculous, Bears are number 1.
no mark madden is right the saints have not won a playoff game in those years and they did not go to the superbowl. so you can hate on mark madden all you want to.
but who did the dome patrol have when they were not on the field and the offense was playing? The steel curtain had arguably the best quarterback of the 70s on their side along with lynn swan and other great offensive players
The Dome Patrol also had nobody in front of them. They did not have a dominant defensive line like the Steelers did. They did have to make plays all on their own.
Nobody is arguing those facts. It is his conclusion that those facts mean they can't be the best ever that people disagree with. Try and keep up. That would be like saying Barry Sanders couldn't be the best RB of all time because he only won a single playoff game his entire career. Stupid conclusion to jump to.