New Orleans Saints quarterbacks and offensive linemen have been terrorized by some pass rushers over the years; some more than others. The Saints have had the bad luck to share a division with a Hall of Fame talent like Kevin Greene, only to see him join a new team in another conference while they’re leaving to form a new rivalry with the expansion-era Carolina Panthers — only for Greene to return and bully them with Carolina for a few more years to close out his career.
And that’s just one story. We’re continuing to highlight the Saints’ most challenging opponents, rivals, and villains over the years, this time putting a focus on the many sack artists who have lined up against the black and gold:
1. Simeon Rice (Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos)
16.0 sacks in 15 games played against the Saints
2. Travis Hall (Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers)
12.5 sacks in 18 games played against the Saints
3. Kevin Greene (Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers)
12 sacks in 23 games played against the Saints
4. Bryant Young (San Francisco 49ers)
11 sacks in 18 games played against the Saints
5. Fred Dean (San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers)
10 sacks in 6 games played against the Saints
Honorable mentions
Chris Doleman (Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons): 9.5 sacks in 16 games played against the Saints
Mario Addison (Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans): 8.5 sacks in 16 games played against the Saints
D’Marco Farr (Los Angeles Rams): 8.0 sacks in 14 games played against the Saints
John Abraham (Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals): 8.0 sacks in 16 games played against the Saints
Chuck Smith (Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers): 8.0 sacks in 16 games played against the Saints
Other players who deserve a mention include Robert Quinn (7.0 sacks in just 6 games) and Julius Peppers (7.0 sacks in 22 games), both of whom gave the Saints offensive line some serious challenges over the years. Shoutout to Justin Houston, too (5.5 sacks in only 3 games) for making the most of his opportunities.
