What Is 1971 New Orleans Saints football team

Overview

The 1971 New Orleans Saints season marked the franchise's fifth year in the National Football League (NFL). Competing in the NFC West division, the team struggled with consistency and finished with a 4-8-1 record, failing to make the playoffs.

Under the leadership of head coach J.D. Roberts, who was in his second season, the Saints showed flashes of improvement but ultimately fell short of contention. Their offensive production ranked near the bottom of the league, averaging just 13.9 points per game.

• Record and Standing: The Saints finished 3rd in the NFC West with a 4-8-1 win-loss-tie record, their best performance since 1969.
• Home Field: All home games were played at Tulane Stadium, a 80,751-seat venue in New Orleans that served as their home through 1974.
• Head Coach: J.D. Roberts led the team for the second consecutive season but was replaced after 1972 due to lack of playoff success.
• Offensive Output: The team scored 181 points over 13 games, averaging 13.9 points per game, ranking 22nd out of 26 NFL teams.
• Defensive Standout: Defensive tackle Dan Nolan recorded 10 sacks, the highest single-season total in franchise history up to that point.

Season Performance and Key Players

The 1971 campaign featured a mix of veteran leadership and developing talent, though injuries and inconsistency hampered progress. The Saints opened the season with a 31-24 win over the St. Louis Cardinals but followed with a five-game losing streak.

• Quarterback Play: Billy Kilmer started 11 games, throwing for 1,489 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, with a 51.8% completion rate.
• Running Back: Ed Podolak shared carries but rushed for only 402 yards; the team averaged just 3.4 yards per carry as a unit.
• Top Receiver: Ernie Holmes led the team with 451 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns on 34 receptions.
• Defensive Leader: Safety Richie Petitbon recorded 5 interceptions, contributing to a defense that allowed 292 total points.
• Kicker: Tom Dempsey, known for his 63-yard field goal in 1970, converted 18 of 27 field goals (66.7%) in 1971.
• Coaching Staff: J.D. Roberts emphasized defense, but offensive coordinator Dan Henning struggled to develop consistency.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1971 Saints compared to recent seasons and division rivals as follows:

Despite a modest improvement in wins, the 1971 Saints scored fewer points than in 1970 and remained near the bottom of the league in offensive efficiency. Their 3rd-place finish was due more to weak division competition than strong performance. The team showed slight progress but failed to build sustained momentum.

Why It Matters

The 1971 season is notable as a transitional year in Saints history, reflecting both incremental improvement and persistent struggles. It highlighted the challenges of building a competitive team in a new franchise’s early years.

• Franchise Development: The 4-8-1 record was the best since 1969, signaling slight progress after a disastrous 2-11-1 season in 1970.
• Defensive Milestone: Dan Nolan’s 10 sacks set an early benchmark for pass rushers in team history.
• Stadium Legacy: Tulane Stadium remained the home field until 1975, when the Superdome opened.
• Coaching Impact: J.D. Roberts’ tenure ended in 1972, underscoring the team’s instability at the helm.
• Historical Context: The Saints did not make the playoffs until 2000, making 1971 part of a long rebuilding phase.
• Fan Base Growth: Despite poor records, attendance remained strong, showing early regional support for the NFL in Louisiana.

The 1971 New Orleans Saints season, while unremarkable in the broader NFL landscape, remains a piece of the franchise’s foundation, illustrating the growing pains of an expansion team striving for relevance.