Rickey Jackson It's About Time

It's about time to give the greatest player in New Orleans Saints history the credit he deserves.Rickey Jackson played outside linebacker in 195 games for the New Orleans Saints from 1991 to 1993(32 for the 49ers 1994-1995).Saints fans will never forget his greatness.And now it is about time for the Hall of Fame voters to give him the credit he deserves.He was leader on the field,amongst one of the great linebacker corps ever to play in the NFL.But New Orleans is a small market team and during Rickey's time with the Saints the offense were underachievers.So his great NFL career tends to mostly go overlooked outside the New Orleans area.So I think it's about time not only to point out things like Rickey went to six Pro Bowls (1983,1984,1985,1986,1992,1993).Rickey was first team All Pro three times (1986,1992,1993).Rickey was a member of the only linebacker corps in NFL history to have all four of its starters elected to the  Pro Bowl in the same season(1992 the Dome Patrol Rickey Jackson,Pat Swilling,Sam Mills and Vaughn Johnson).But also how well Rickey Jackson's career stats compare to the linebacker who must people say was the greatest of his era (if not all time) Lawrence Taylor.And the linebacker who most people say is the best of this era Ray Lewis.

Sacks

Rickey Jackson 128  third all time amongst linebackers

Lawrence Taylor 132.5  second all time amongst linebackers (number one amongst linbackers Kevin Greene 160)

Ray Lewis 33.5

Fumble Recoveries

Rickey Jackson 29  first all time amongst linebackers (second overall behind only DE Jim Marshall's 30)

Lawrence Taylor 2

Ray Lewis 15

Forced Fumbles

Rickey Jackson 40

Lawrence Taylor 33

Ray Lewis 12

Interceptions

Ricky Jackson 8

Lawrence Taylor 9

Ray Lewis 28

So now we have compared four of the most important stats for a linebacker and Rickey Jackson was both ahead of Lawrence Taylor and Ray Lewis two out of four.Rickey also compares well in number of Superbowl wins. Rickey Jackson 1 (unfortunately with the 49ers) Ray Lewis 1 ,Lawrence Taylor 2.

Rickey Jackson was elected to the New Orleans Saints Hall Of Fame in 1997.Saints fans think its about time for him to be elected to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.