Best Saints By The Numbers: #79

All summer long, we’re going to list the best players in New Orleans Saints history to wear every number, 00-99.

Yesterday, we did #78

Today, #79:

The pick: Emanuel Zanders

When deciding who is the best New Orleans Saints player to ever wear #79, the choice is limited to defensive linemen Lou Cordileone, Clovis Swinney, Tory Epps, Troy Wilson, Jimmy Verdon, and Rob Ninkovich, and offensive linemen Emmanuel Zanders, Chuck Slaughter, Henry Thomas, Glenn Derby, Mike Halapin, Mitch White, Bryce Harris, and Rob Petitti.

Our selection is going to be Zanders, an offensive lineman, who played for the Saints for 7 years, from 1974-1980.

After playing his college football at Jackson St., Zanders was signed by the Saints as an undrafted free agent following the 1974 NFL Draft.

A native of Demopolis, Alabama, Zanders was a reserve in his rookie season, before becoming a starter in 1975.

From 1975-1977, Zanders started 41 of a possible 42 games at right guard, before an injury in 1978 limited him to only three games. He then returned to become the starter at left guard for all 32 games in the 1979-1980 seasons.

The 6-foot-1, 251-pound Zanders left the Saints following the 1980 season and played one season with the Chicago Bears, before retiring following the 1981 campaign.

In 7 years with the Saints, Zanders appeared in 87 games, including 76 as a starter.

In 8 NFL seasons, Zanders appeared in 99 games, including 88 as a starter.