Dome Patrol

History

Rickey Jackson was drafted by the Saints in the second round of the 1981 NFL draft. In 1985, the Saints defense gave up over 25 points per game, which was seventh worst in the league. In 1986, the Saints selected outside linebacker Pat Swilling in the third round of the draft and acquired middle linebackers Vaughan Johnson and Sam Mills from the recently folded United States Football League (USFL). The defense improved to seventh best in points allowed per game in 1986, allowing an average of 17.9 points. In 1987, the team finished with a 12–3 record, posting the first winning record in franchise history as well as its first playoff appearance. The Saints ranked fourth in points allowed per game in 1988 and went 10–6, but missed the playoffs after finishing third in a strong NFC West division.

The team made the playoffs three straight seasons from 1990 to 1992. Three members of the Dome Patrol were named to the Pro Bowl in 1991, and Swilling was named the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year after leading the league with 17 sacks and forcing six fumbles. The Saints defense surrendered the fewest points of any defense in the league that season and forced the most turnovers. In week three of the season, the Saints defense held the Los Angeles Rams to 120 yards and six first downs, and recorded five sacks in a 24–7 win. "The Dome Patrol really rolled today," said Swilling after the game. "Sam Mills, Rickey Jackson, Vaughan Johnson and me. We got it on, didn't we?" The 1991 season also saw the Saints win their first division title, as they finished first in the NFC West.

All four members were invited to the Pro Bowl for 1992. This remains the only time in NFL history that four linebackers from the same team have made a Pro Bowl together. Swilling was the first to leave the Saints after the 1992 season, in a trade to the Detroit Lions, followed by Jackson and Johnson in 1993 and Mills in 1994. Overall, the Dome Patrol combined for 18 Pro Bowls and made four playoff appearances.

Dome Patrol members

Legacy

The Dome Patrol is frequently cited as one of the greatest defensive groups of all time, and was rated by NFL Network as the number one linebacker corps in NFL history. In 2012, all four members of the Dome Patrol were unanimously selected for the Saints 45th Anniversary Team. In 2010, Jackson became the first Saints player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mills later signed with the Carolina Panthers, with whom he earned a Pro Bowl trip and two All-Pro selections, and later was an assistant coach with the team. His jersey number 51 is currently the only jersey retired by the Panthers, and he is the only former player in the team's Hall of Honor. In 2022, Mills was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Swilling played six more seasons in the NFL after leaving the Saints, and made a Pro Bowl trip with the Lions in 1993. All four players are in the Saints Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Jackson and Mills are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Swilling and Mills are also members of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Notes

References

References

1. "New Orleans Saints History". CBS Sportsline.
2. "NFL Stats: by Team Category, 1985".
3. "The Dome Patrol: The Times-Picayune covers 175 years of New Orleans history".
4. "NFL Stats: by Team Category, 1986".
5. (August 15, 2011). "NFL Lockout: History-1987 Strike". ESPN.
6. (November 30, 1987). "N.F.L.; Miracle for Saints: A Winning Season". The New York Times.
7. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nor/1988.htm 1988 New Orleans Saints]
8. (December 29, 1991). "Saints' Pat Swilling takes defensive honor". [[The Tuscaloosa News]].
9. (December 12, 2014). "How Hard Is It for a Defensive Player to Win NFL MVP? Just Ask These Guys". [[ESPN]].
10. "1991 New Orleans Saints Statistics". Sports Reference LLC.
11. (September 16, 1991). "Saints' Heyward rams L.A.". [[Toledo Blade]].
12. "1992 NFL Pro Bowlers". Sports Reference LLC.
13. "1992 New Orleans Saints Statistics". Sports Reference LLC.
14. "Pro-Football-Reference: Rickey Jackson".
15. "Pro-Football-Reference: Vaughan Johnson".
16. "Pro-Football-Reference: Sam Mills".
17. "Pro-Football-Reference: Pat Swilling".
18. "New Orleans Saints linebacker Rickey Jackson's induction was long overdue".
19. (July 26, 2012). "Top 10 linebacking corps in NFL history".
20. "New Orleans Saints 45th Anniversary Team".
21. (February 6, 2010). "Rickey Jackson becomes first New Orleans Saints player elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame".
22. (April 19, 2005). "Obituaries in the News". [[Kentucky New Era]].
23. "Sam Mills III". Carolina Panthers.
24. Gantt, Darin. (February 10, 2022). "Panthers legend Sam Mills elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame".
25. "NFL 1994 Pro Bowl Gamebook – NFL GSIS". NFL.
26. "Saints Hall of Fame Inductees".
27. "Rickey Jackson - Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame".
28. "Vaughan Johnson - Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame".
29. "Sam Mills - Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame".
30. "Pat Swilling - Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame".
31. Rose, Bob. (February 10, 2022). "Former Saints and Dome Patrol Legend Sam Mills Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame".
32. ["Hall of Fame - Inductee Detail: Pat Swilling"]({{College Football HoF/url). [[National Football Foundation]].
33. ["Hall of Fame - Inductee Detail: Sam "The Field Mouse" Mills"]({{College Football HoF/url). [[National Football Foundation]].