Surf Wiki
Save to docs
sports

From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

1977 New Orleans Saints season

NFL team season

NFL team season

FieldValue
teamNew Orleans Saints
year1977
record3–11
division_place4th NFC West
coachHank Stram
stadiumLouisiana Superdome
playoffs*Did not qualify*
pro bowlers*None*
shortnavlinkSaints seasons

The 1977 New Orleans Saints season was the team's eleventh as a member of the National Football League. They were unable to improve on their previous season's output of 4–10, winning only three games. The most notable part of the season was when they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who won their first game in franchise history after losing their first 26 games. The team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the eleventh consecutive season, while coach Hank Stram was fired following the season. In his two seasons as coach the Saints only won seven games.

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1977 NFL draft

Personnel

Staff

  • President – John W. Mecom, Jr.

  • Vice-president of administration – Harry Hulmes

  • Vice-president and treasurer – Eddie Jones

  • Vice-president/head coach – Hank Stram

  • Quarterbacks – Dick Wood

  • Offensive backfield – John Beake

  • Receivers – Sam Rutigliano

  • Offensive line – Dick Stanfel

  • Quality control – Rich Kotite

  • Defensive line – Buck Buchanan

  • Linebackers – Dick Nolan

  • Defensive backfield – Jim Garrett

  • Special teams – Whitey Campbell

  • Strength and Conditioning – Alvin Roy

Roster

  • Dave Hubbard T
  • Dave Lafary G

Regular season

The first victory overall for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, did not come until week 13 on the road against the Saints, almost two seasons after their first game against the Houston Oilers in 1976. The Bucs led at halftime by a score of 13–0. Dave Green had two field goals, while Gary Huff threw a touchdown pass to Morris Owens. Upon their arrival in Tampa Bay, the Bucs were greeted by 8,000 fans.

The Saints were 11-point favorites before the game, and fans booed as the Buccaneers scored. "Eleven years I've supported this franchise!" one shouted, adding, "With all this money I've spent on this lousy team I could have bought some land in Colombia and raised pot." Losing to a team with a 0–26 losing streak was so humiliating that safety Tom Myers said, "We've been made the laughingstocks of the business ... I'm too embarrassed to say that I play for the team that got beat by Tampa Bay." Said head coach Hank Stram, "We're all very ashamed of what happened today. Ashamed for our people, for our fans, the organization, everybody. It is my worst coaching experience." Team owner John Mecom said during the loss that the Saints "is a poorly coached team", and Stram was fired January 28, 1978.

Schedule

New Orleans Saintsyear=1977border=2}}"WeekNew Orleans Saintsyear=1977border=2}}"DateNew Orleans Saintsyear=1977border=2}}"OpponentNew Orleans Saintsyear=1977border=2}}"ResultNew Orleans Saintsyear=1977border=2}}"RecordNew Orleans Saintsyear=1977border=2}}"VenueNew Orleans Saintsyear=1977border=2}}"Attendance1234567891011121314
September 18[Green Bay Packers](1977-green-bay-packers-season)**L** 20–240–1Louisiana Superdome56,250
September 25at [Detroit Lions](1977-detroit-lions-season)**L** 19–230–2Pontiac Silverdome51,458
October 2at [Chicago Bears](1977-chicago-bears-season)**W** 42–241–2Soldier Field51,488
October 9[San Diego Chargers](1977-san-diego-chargers-season)**L** 0–141–3Louisiana Superdome53,942
October 16at [Los Angeles Rams](1977-los-angeles-rams-season)**L** 7–141–4Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum46,045
October 23at [St. Louis Cardinals](1977-st-louis-cardinals-nfl-season)**L** 31–491–5Busch Memorial Stadium48,417
October 30[Los Angeles Rams](1977-los-angeles-rams-season)**W** 27–262–5Louisiana Superdome59,023
November 6at [Philadelphia Eagles](1977-philadelphia-eagles-season)**L** 7–282–6Veterans Stadium53,482
November 13[San Francisco 49ers](1977-san-francisco-49ers-season)**L** 7–102–7Louisiana Superdome41,564
November 20[Atlanta Falcons](1977-atlanta-falcons-season)**W** 21–203–7Louisiana Superdome43,135
November 27at [San Francisco 49ers](1977-san-francisco-49ers-season)**L** 17–203–8Candlestick Park33,702
December 4[New York Jets](1977-new-york-jets-season)**L** 13–163–9Louisiana Superdome40,464
December 11[Tampa Bay Buccaneers](1977-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season)**L** 14–333–10Louisiana Superdome40,124
December 18at [Atlanta Falcons](1977-atlanta-falcons-season)**L** 7–353–11Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium36,895
**Note:** Intra-division opponents are in **bold** text.

Season summary

Week 1: vs Green Bay Packers

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

;Top passers

  • GB – Lynn Dickey – 11/20, 142 yards, TD, INT
  • NO – Archie Manning – 18/30, 225 yards, TD, INT ;Top rushers
  • GB – Eric Torkelson – 12 rushes, 27 yards
  • NO – Chuck Muncie – 20 rushes, 86 yards, 2 TD ;Top receivers
  • GB – Ken Payne – 3 receptions, 71 yards, TD
  • NO – Henry Childs – 5 receptions, 83 yards, TD
Week 3 at Chicago Bears

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

;Top passers

  • NO – Archie Manning – 8/17, 168 yards, TD
  • CHI – Bob Avellini – 18/38, 238 yards, TD, 2 INT ;Top rushers
  • NO – Tony Galbreath – 21 rushes, 61 yards
  • CHI – Walter Payton – 19 rushes, 140 yards, 2 TD ;Top receivers
  • NO – Jim Thaxton – 3 receptions, 63 yards
  • CHI – Bo Rather – 6 receptions, 113 yards
Week 4: vs San Diego Chargers

First quarter

  • SDG – Mike Fuller 88-yard punt return (Rolf Benirschke kick), 11:19. Chargers 7–0. Second quarter
  • No scoring plays. Third quarter
  • No scoring plays. Fourth quarter
  • SDG – Rickey Young 5-yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick), 1:16. ''Chargers 14–0. '''Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 4:28.''''' Top passers
  • SDG – James Harris – 11/21, 137 yards
  • NO – Archie Manning – 16/26, 124 yards, INT Top rushers
  • SDG – Rickey Young – 11 rushes, 40 yards, TD
  • NO – Chuck Muncie – 18 rushes, 78 yards Top receivers
  • SDG – Larry Dorsey – 3 receptions, 43 yards
  • NO – Tony Galbreath – 9 receptions, 55 yards
Week 10 vs. Atlanta Falcons
  • TV Network: CBS
  • Announcers: Gary Bender, Johnny Unitas Before a Regional TV Audience, Atlanta, which had never given up more than 14 points in a game this year, tried to keep it that way with one minute to go - In New Orleans - And Archie Manning was waiting. The Saints quarterback, back in action for the first time in six weeks, read the blitz and beat it with a 18-yard TD Pass, his second scoring strike to tight end Henry Childs. It was Hank Stram's 136th victory as a head coach... and his last.

Standings

Notes

References

References

  1. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nor/1977.htm 1977 New Orleans Saints]
  2. "1977 New Orleans Saints draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  3. "All-Time Roster". NewOrleansSaints.com.
  4. (2007). "Numbelievable!". Triumph Books.
  5. Martz, Ron. (1977-12-12). "BUCS WIN: Saints historic victims 33-14". St. Petersburg Times.
  6. Martz, Ron. (1977-12-13). "Well, forget about encouraging words". St. Petersburg Times.
Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

new-orleans-saints-seasons 1977-nfl-season-by-team 1977-in-sports-in-louisiana 1970s-in-new-orleans
Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about 1977 New Orleans Saints season — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report