1967 New Orleans Saints season

Expansion draft The Saints made a splash in the expansion draft by selecting Green Bay Packers running back Paul Hornung. Lombardi was distraught when the Saints selected Hornung in the draft. In later years, Hornung revealed that he spoke to Saints coach Tom Fears prior to the draft. Fears was a former assistant in Green Bay and Fears felt that Hornung would help sell tickets in New Orleans. An examination at the Scripps Clinic in California found the severing of the fifth, sixth, and seventh vertebrae, and damaged nerve roots in the spinal cord of Hornung. It was decided that Hornung would retire and he never played a game for the Saints. Cuozzo began the season as the Saints' starter, but lost the job to expansion draftee Billy Kilmer. After the season, Cuozzo was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in early 1968. Baltimore selected Michigan State All-America defensive end Bubba Smith with the first pick; he became a star for the Colts, starting at left end in Super Bowls III and V. ==Personnel==

The Saints played six pre-season games, finishing with a record of 5–1. ==Regular season==

Things couldn't have looked better for the Saints and their inaugural season. A 5–1 preseason record was followed by a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by rookie John Gilliam to begin the 1967 season against the Los Angeles Rams. (There is a rumor in the annals of New Orleans Saints legends that following this play many fans allegedly heard another fan in Tulane Stadium shout out aloud "This is going to be the greatest football team in history!" – thus jinxing the Saints for their first 20 years of existence). Apparently the Rams were not informed of this declaration as they quickly recovered from the opening blow to win 27–13. The first-ever win for the Saints came in week 8 when wide receiver Flea Roberts scored 3 touchdowns in a 31–24 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. With additional triumphs over Atlanta and Washington the 3 wins for the year matched the most for an expansion team. Former Green Bay great Jim Taylor led the team with 390 yards rushing and 17th round pick rookie Danny Abramowicz from Xavier College led in receiving with 50 grabs for 721 yards and 6 touchdowns. Defensive back Dave Whitshell led the team as well as the NFL in interceptions with 10 steals—still a New Orleans Saint season record. Schedule Game summaries Week 1: vs. Los Angeles Rams • Source: Week 2: vs. Washington Redskins • Source: [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196709240nor.htm Week 3: vs. Cleveland Browns • Source: Week 4: at New York Giants • Source: [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196710080nyg.htm Week 5: at Dallas Cowboys • Source: Week 6: at San Francisco 49ers • Source: [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196710220sfo.htm Week 7: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers • Source: Week 8: vs. Philadelphia Eagles • Source: [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196711050nor.htm Week 9: vs. Dallas Cowboys • Source: Week 10: at Philadelphia Eagles • Source: [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196711190phi.htm Week 11: vs. Atlanta Falcons • Source: Week 12: at St. Louis Cardinals • Source: [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196712030crd.htm Week 13: at Baltimore Colts • Source: Week 14: at Washington Redskins • Source: [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196712170was.htm Standings ==References==