Rickey Jackson:Will Canton Finally Canonize a Saint?

Ask any Saints fan, "Does Rickey Jackson have what it takes to make it to Canton?"

The answer would be an emphatic "Yes!"

The faithful believers of the Who Dat nation would also remind the masses that it is long overdue, and they have already been in that number.

It is not too late for the rest to become believers and join the exodus as we make that pilgrimage to Canton, Ohio, in August.

The general consensus is to be in the Hall of Fame you should be head and shoulders above the rest.  Let me tell you, if this man's head and shoulder were anywhere near you on the field, you said a prayer.

Rickey Jackson was part of the Dome Patrol, which was voted No. 1 Linebacker Corps of All-Time by NFL Films the past year. However, his quest started several years before they became one.

In 1981, Rickey Jackson was drafted in the second round by the New Orleans Saints. Earlier that day, the Saints had the first pick of the draft and selected running back George Rogers who would become "Rookie of the Year."

Many questioned the mindset of the front office of the Saints when they picked Mr. Rogers instead of another outside linebacker, Lawrence Taylor. The new head coach, Bum Phillips, knew exactly what he was doing.

Rickey Jackson started every game his rookie season and in 1983 was selected to the Pro Bowl. Under his then-defensive coordinator and 3-4 specialist, Wade Phillips, he would receive two more nods to the Pro Bowl in 1985 and 1986.

I recently came across a quote, "During the 1980s Taylor, DE Leonard Marshall, and fellow linebackers Carl Banks , Gary Reasons , and Hall of Famer Harry Carson gave the Giants linebacking corps and overall defense a reputation as one of the best in the NFL."

If LT is known to have been the anchor of "one of the best" and Rickey Jackson was the anchor of "The Best" linebacking corps then it stands to reason he should make it this year.

As good as Rickey Jackson's numbers were under Bum and Wade Phillips; it was under Coach Jim Mora when he would become great.

After the acquisition of middle linebacker Vaughn Johnson via the supplemental draft in 1985, the drafting of fellow outside linebacker Pat Swilling and Sam Mills following Coach Mora over from the Philadelphia Stars, the Dome Patrol emerged.

In the 1990 and 1991 seasons, he led the NFL in most fumble recoveries. In his 15 year career, he boasted a total of 29 fumble recoveries which still ranks second in NFL history.

This year’s finalists include some very prominent names on the offensive side of the ball.

Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Tim Brown, Cris Carter, André Reed and Shannon Sharpe have great numbers and are all deserving of the honor.

On the defensive side,players such Charles Haley, Richard Dent, Cortez Kennedy, and John Randle were forces to contend with on the field.

Rickey Jackson's 1,173 tackles, 128 sacks, 8 interceptions, 29 fumble recoveries and 6 Pro Bowl appearences sets him head and shoulders above any of the other defensive players in consideration.

According to the Hall of Fame rules and the Associated press:

"A final candidate must get 80 percent of the vote to make the Hall. A minimum of four and a maximum of seven inductees will be chosen, but no more than five modern-era nominees can be elected in a single year ."

Faithful believers know with those kinds of numbers Rickey doesn't need a miracle, but having a little help from your friends never hurts.

As fans, we can do our part by going to fanschoice.com to make our voice heard.

His former team and current Saints players can do their part and be in that number in full force as the 38-member selection committee meet in Florida for the final vote the day before the Super Bowl in Miami.