1988 New Orleans Saints season

The 1988 New Orleans Saints season was the team's 22nd as a member of the National Football League (NFL). They were unable to match their previous season's output of 12–3, winning only ten games and missing the playoffs (and losing the division) by a tiebreaker, going 6-6 vs. NFC opponents compared to 8-4 for the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams. Road losses to the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings, as well as a sweep by San Francisco, ended up being the difference in New Orleans staying home and the California teams advancing.[1]

1988 New Orleans Saints season
OwnerTom Benson
General managerJim Finks
Head coachJim Mora
Home fieldLouisiana Superdome
Results
Record10–6
Division place3rd NFC West
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersTE Hoby Brenner
WR Eric Martin
LB Sam Mills
K Morten Andersen

With the Louisiana Superdome hosting the 1988 Republican National Convention; all but the last pre-season game (against the Pittsburgh Steelers) for the Saints were played on the road.[2]

Offseason

NFL Draft
Main article: 1988 NFL Draft
1988 New Orleans Saints draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 24 Craig Heyward *  Running back Pittsburgh
2 52 Brett Perriman  Wide receiver Miami (FL)
3 81 Tony Stephens  Defensive tackle Clemson
4 106 Lydell Carr  Running back Oklahoma
5 112 Greg Scales  Tight end Wake Forest
5 134 Keith Taylor  Defensive back Illinois
6 162 Bob Sims  Guard Florida
7 190 Brian Forde  Linebacker Washington State
8 218 Glenn Derby  Offensive tackle Wisconsin
9 246 Clarence Nunn  Defensive back San Diego State
10 274 Todd Santos  Quarterback San Diego State
10 276 Vincent Fizer  Linebacker Southern
11 302 Gary Couch  Wide receiver Minnesota
12 330 Paul Jurgensen  Defensive end Georgia Tech
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[3]

Training Camp

Prior to the start of the 1988 season, the Saints held training camp for the first time at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The team would hold training camp in La Crosse through the 1999 season.[4]

Personnel

Staff
1988 New Orleans Saints staff
Front office
  • Owner/general partner – Tom Benson
  • President/general manager – Jim Finks
  • Vice-president of administration – Jim Miller
  • Director of player personnel – Bill Kuharich

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Russell Paternostro

[5]

Roster
1988 New Orleans Saints roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists
  • 40 Michael Adams CB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 67 Stan Brock T (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 59 James Campen C (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 42 Lydell Carr RB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 79 Glenn Derby T (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 99 Tony Elliott NT (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 74 Ted Gregory NT (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 54 Alvin Toles LB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 68 Jeff Walker T/G (IRTooltip Injured reserve)


Practice squad None

47 active, 9 inactive


Rookies in italics

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 4 San Francisco 49ers L 33–34 0–1 Louisiana Superdome 66,357
2 September 11 at Atlanta Falcons W 29–21 1–1 Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium 48,901
3 September 18 at Detroit Lions W 22–14 2–1 Pontiac Silverdome 32,943
4 September 25 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 13–9 3–1 Louisiana Superdome 66,671
5 October 3 Dallas Cowboys W 20–17 4–1 Louisiana Superdome 68,474
6 October 9 at San Diego Chargers W 23–17 5–1 Jack Murphy Stadium 42,693
7 October 16 at Seattle Seahawks W 20–19 6–1 Kingdome 63,569
8 October 23 Los Angeles Raiders W 20–6 7–1 Louisiana Superdome 66,249
9 October 30 Los Angeles Rams L 10–12 7–2 Louisiana Superdome 68,238
10 November 6 at Washington Redskins L 24–27 7–3 RFK Stadium 54,183
11 November 13 at Los Angeles Rams W 14–10 8–3 Anaheim Stadium 63,305
12 November 20 Denver Broncos W 42–0 9–3 Louisiana Superdome 68,075
13 November 27 New York Giants L 12–13 9–4 Louisiana Superdome 66,526
14 December 4 at Minnesota Vikings L 3–45 9–5 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 61,215
15 December 11 at San Francisco 49ers L 17–30 9–6 Candlestick Park 62,977
16 December 18 Atlanta Falcons W 10–9 10–6 Louisiana Superdome 60,566
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1

Week 2
1 234Total
• Saints 3 9107 29
Falcons 7 770 21
Scoring summary
Q1NOAndersen 41 yard field goalNO 3–0
Q1ATLWhisenhunt 12 yard pass from Miller (Davis kick)ATL 7–3
Q2ATLHigdon 34 yard pass from Miller (Davis kick)ATL 14–3
Q2NOAndersen 29 yard field goalATL 14–6
Q2NOMartin 14 yard pass from Hebert (kick failed)ATL 14–12
Q3NOAndersen 28 yard field goalNO 15–14
Q3ATLSettle 1 yard run (Davis kick)ATL 21–15
Q3NOMayes 17 yard run (Andersen kick)NO 22–21
Q4NOHilliard 4 yard run (Andersen kick)NO 29–21

[6]

Week 3

The Saints won for the first time in Detroit going 0-4-1 in their previous five trips to Michigan (three to Tiger Stadium and two to the Pontiac Silverdome).

1 234Total
• Saints 0 7123 22
Lions 7 700 14
  • Date: September 18
  • Location: Pontiac Silverdome
  • Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 32,943
  • Game weather: Indoors (dome)
  • Referee: Johnny Grier
  • TV announcers (CBS): James Brown and Gary Fencik
Scoring summary
Q1DETBland 9 yard pass from Long (Murray kick)DET 7–0
Q2NOHill 29 yard pass from Hebert (Andersen kick)Tie 7–7
Q2DETBland 10 yard pass from Long (Murray kick)DET 14–7
Q3NOAndersen 37 yard field goalDET 14–10
Q3NOSafety, Long tackled by Jackson in end zoneDET 14–12
Q3NOHilliard 4 yard run (Anderson kick)NO 19–14
Q4NOAndersen 29 yard field goalNO 22–14

[7]

Week 4
1 234Total
Buccaneers 0 603 9
• Saints 10 300 13
  • Date: September 25
  • Location: Louisiana Superdome
  • Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 66,671
  • Game weather: Indoors (dome)
Scoring summary
Q1NOHill 5 yard pass from Hebert (Andersen kick)NO 7–0
Q1NOAndersen 28 yard field goalNO 10–0
Q2TBIgwebuike 25 yard field goalNO 10–3
Q2NOAndersen 41 yard field goalNO 13–3
Q2TBIgwebuike 35 yard field goalNO 13–6
Q4TBIgwebuike 35 yard field goalNO 13–9

[8]

Week 5
1 234Total
Cowboys 0 773 17
• Saints 7 733 20
  • Date: October 3
  • Location: Louisiana Superdome
  • Game start: 9:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 68,474
  • Game weather: Indoors (dome)
  • Referee: Gene Barth
  • TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford and Dan Dierdorf
Scoring summary
Q1NOHill 7 yard pass from Hebert (Andersen kick)NO 7–0
Q2NOPerriman 17 yard pass from Hebert (Anderson kick)NO 14–0
Q2DALMartin 13 yard pass from Pelluer (Ruzek kick)NO 14–7
Q3DALMartin 14 yard pass from Pelluer (Ruzek kick)Tie 14–14
Q3NOAndersen 27 yard field goalNO 17–14
Q4DALRuzek 39 yard field goalTie 17–17
Q4NOAndersen 49 yard field goalNO 20–17

[9]

Week 6
1 234Total
• Saints 0 1373 23
Chargers 14 030 17
  • Date: October 9
  • Location: Jack Murphy Stadium
  • Game start: 4:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 42,693
  • Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C); wind 8 mph (13 km/h)
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • TV announcers (CBS): Tim Ryan and Dan Jiggetts
Scoring summary
Q1SDMiller 47 yard pass from Laufenberg (Abbott kick)SD 7–0
Q1SDRoy Bennett recovered fumble in end zone (Abbott kick)SD 14–0
Q2NOAndersen 27 yard field goalSD 14–3
Q2NOAndersen 35 yard field goalSD 14–6
Q2NOHill 19 yard pass from Hebert (Andersen kick)SD 14–13
Q3NOMartin 10 yard pass from Hebert (Andersen kick)NO 20–14
Q3SDAbbott 35 yard field goalNO 20–17
Q4NOAndersen 34 yard field goalNO 23–17

[10]

Week 7
1 234Total
• Saints 0 1073 20
Seahawks 3 367 19
  • Date: October 16
  • Location: Kingdome
  • Game start: 4:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 63,569
  • Game weather: Indoors (dome)
  • Referee: Pat Haggerty
  • TV announcers (CBS): Dick Stockton and Dan Fouts
Scoring summary
Q1SEAJohnson 22 yard field goalSEA 3–0
Q2NOMartin 19 yard pass from Hebert (Andersen kick)NO 7–3
Q2SEAJohnson 47 yard field goalNO 7–6
Q2NOAndersen 23 yard field goalNO 10–6
Q3SEAJohnson 46 yard field goalNO 10–9
Q3NOWaymer 58 yard blocked field goal return (Andersen kick)NO 17–9
Q3SEAJohnson 42 yard field goalNO 17–12
Q4NOAndersen 31 yard field goalNO 20–12
Q4SEABlades 3 yard pass from Stouffer (Johnson kick)NO 20–19

[11]

Week 8

The Saints defeated the Raiders for the first time in six meetings (the 1971 matchup, the first between the teams, ended in a 21-21 tie).

1 234Total
Raiders 0 600 6
• Saints 3 0143 20
  • Date: October 23
  • Location: Louisiana Superdome
  • Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 66,249
  • Game weather: Indoors (dome)
  • Referee: Jerry Seeman
  • Television network: NBC
Scoring summary
Q1NOAndersen 51 yard field goalNO 3–0
Q2LAFernandez 85 yard pass from Schroeder (kick failed)LA 6–3
Q3NOHeyward 73 yard run (Andersen kick)NO 10–7
Q3NOHilliard 7 yard run (Andersen kick)NO 17–7
Q4NOAndersen 25 yard field goalNO 20–7

[12]

Week 11
1 234Total
• Saints 0 770 14
Rams 0 307 10
  • Date: November 13
  • Location: Anaheim Stadium
  • Game start: 4:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 63,305
  • Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C); wind 6 mph (9.7 km/h)
  • Referee: Tom Dooley
  • TV announcers (CBS): Dick Stockton and Dan Fouts
Scoring summary
Q2NOHilliard 4 yard run (Andersen kick)NO 7–0
Q2LALansford 23 yard field goalNO 7–3
Q3NOMayes 3 yard run (Andersen kick)NO 14–3
Q4LABell 1 yard run (Lansford kick)NO 14–10

[13]

Week 12

In the Broncos' first appearance in the Louisiana Superdome since Super Bowl XII 11 years earlier, the Saints defeated Denver for the first time in five tries, and posted their largest margin of victory at the time.

1 234Total
Broncos 0 000 0
• Saints 14 7147 42
Scoring summary
Q1NOMayes 2 yard run (Andersen kick)NO 7–0
Q1NOHilliard 2 yard run (Andersen kick)NO 14–0
Q2NOMartin 40 yard pass from Hebert (Andersen kick)NO 21–0
Q3NOGray 66 yard punt return (Andersen kick)NO 28–0
Q3NOTice 8 yard pass from Hebert (Andersen kick)NO 35–0
Q4NOMartin 6 yard pass from Hebert (Andersen kick)NO 42–0

[14]

Week 16
1 234Total
Falcons 0 333 9
• Saints 7 003 10
  • Date: December 18
  • Location: Louisiana Superdome
  • Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 60,566
  • Game weather: Indoors (dome)
  • Referee: Pat Haggerty
  • TV announcers (CBS): Dick Stockton and Dan Fouts
Scoring summary
Q1NOHilliard 13 yard pass from Hebert (Andersen kick)NO 7–0
Q2ATLDavis 27 yard field goalNO 7–3
Q3ATLDavis 43 yard field goalNO 7–6
Q4ATLDavis 39 yard field goalATL 9–7
Q4NOAndersen 30 yard field goalNO 10–9

[15]

Standings
NFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
San Francisco 49ers(2) 10 6 0 .625 4–2 8–4 369 294 L1
Los Angeles Rams(5) 10 6 0 .625 4–2 8–4 407 293 W3
New Orleans Saints 10 6 0 .625 3–3 6–6 312 283 W1
Atlanta Falcons 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 244 315 L3

References
  1. 1988 New Orleans Saints
  2. "1988 New Orleans Saints (NFL)". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  3. "1988 New Orleans Saints draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  4. "New Orleans Saints Training Camp Locations". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  5. "All-Time Roster". NewOrleansSaints.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  6. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2015-May-25.
  7. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2015-May-25.
  8. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2015-May-25.
  9. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2015-May-25.
  10. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2015-May-25.
  11. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2015-May-25.
  12. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2015-May-27.
  13. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2015-May-29.
  14. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2015-May-30.
  15. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2015-May-31.
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