blacksaint

By SHELDON MICKLES
Advocate sportswriter

Former New Orleans Saints defensive end Joe Johnson has been chosen to enter the Saints Hall of Fame during ceremonies this fall, it was announced Wednesday.

Johnson, a first-round draft pick who played for the Saints from 1994-2001, was a fierce pass rusher and was also solid against the run. But he made his living as a pass rusher and ranks fifth on the club’s sack list with 50 1/2.

The 13th pick of the 1994 draft, Johnson played in 106 games with 104 starts during his eight-year stay in New Orleans. He made the Pro Bowl in 1998 and 2000, with the second visit to Hawaii coming after he missed the entire 1999 season with a knee injury.

Johnson had a career-high 12 sacks and also forced six fumbles in 2000 and was named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year after helping the Saints win the NFC West title and advance to the divisional playoffs.

He’ll be honored at halftime of the Saints matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 4, capping three days of activities which will be highlighted by the official induction ceremony in Metairie on Nov. 2.

Also, Saints fans will be recognized with the Joe Gemelli Fleur de Lis Award, which annually goes to the person or persons who contribute to the betterment of the organization.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the fans showed undying support in making sure the team remained in New Orleans and sold out every seat in the Superdome on a season basis for the first time in franchise history.

2theadvocate.com | Saints | Ex-DE Johnson to enter Saints' hall -- Baton Rouge, LA

saint4life
(504)

ScottF

Let me start by saying that Johnson was a very good football player. But, the time is coming when the guys who get into the hall are bona fide superstars. You cannot just 'create' a winning tradition by honoring better than average players.

A teams' Hall of Fame should be a source of pride, and to some degree, intimidation. Look at Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Dallas