A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | CH | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
| 2006 New Orleans Saints season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Tom Benson |
| General manager | Mickey Loomis |
| Head coach | Sean Payton |
| Home field | Louisiana Superdome |
| Results | |
| Record | 10–6 |
| Division place | 1st NFC South |
| Playoff finish | Won Divisional Playoffs (vs. Eagles) 27–24 Lost NFC Championship (at Bears) 14–39 |
| Pro Bowlers | QB Drew Brees OT Jammal Brown DE Will Smith |
| AP All-Pros | QB Drew Brees (1st team) OT Jammal Brown (1st team) FB Mike Karney (2nd team) |
The 2006 season was the New Orleans Saints' 40th in the National Football League (NFL).
The season began with the team returning to New Orleans after a year in exile from the city, and trying to improve on their 3–13 record in 2005. All of the team's 2006 regular season home games were played in the Louisiana Superdome, which had been unplayable for the entire 2005 season after being damaged during Hurricane Katrina. Led by a new coach, Sean Payton, and a new quarterback, Drew Brees, the Saints enjoyed their most successful season up to that time, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2000 and the NFC Championship Game for the first time in franchise history.
After a poor season for Aaron Brooks, he was released and eventually signed with the Oakland Raiders. This called for Drew Brees to take his place permanently, after his stint with the San Diego Chargers, which led to an injury last season.
Offseason
On January 17, the Saints made their first step in the 2006 offseason by hiring Sean Payton, the former assistant head coach for the Dallas Cowboys, as their new head coach.
On March 14, 2006, the Saints signed former Chargers quarterback Drew Brees, a free agent, to a six-year deal.
Return to New Orleans
The NFL announced on February 5, 2006, that the Superdome would reopen on September 24 when the Saints hosted the Atlanta Falcons.[1]
Sites for the team's 2006 preseason games were announced on March 23. They were Shreveport, Louisiana, for an August 21 game against the Dallas Cowboys, and Jackson, Mississippi, for an August 26 game against the Indianapolis Colts.[2]
On April 6 the Saints released their 2006 schedule. All home games were scheduled to be played at the Superdome. The home opener against the Atlanta Falcons was moved from September 24 to September 25 and was shown on ESPN's Monday Night Football.[3]
NFL Draft
In the 2006 NFL Draft, the Saints used their first pick (the second pick overall) on USC running back Reggie Bush, the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner (an award later vacated in 2010). Bush had been passed over by the Houston Texans, who instead selected North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams with the first overall pick.
| 2006 New Orleans Saints draft | |||||
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Reggie Bush | Running back | USC | |
| 2 | 43 | Roman Harper * | Safety | Alabama | |
| 4 | 108 | Jahri Evans * | Guard | Bloomsburg | |
| 5 | 135 | Rob Ninkovich | Defensive end | Purdue | |
| 6 | 171 | Mike Hass | Wide receiver | Oregon State | |
| 6 | 174 | Josh Lay | Cornerback | Pittsburgh | |
| 7 | 210 | Zach Strief | Guard | Northwestern | |
| 7 | 252 | Marques Colston | Wide receiver | Hofstra | |
| Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career | |||||
Personnel
Staff
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Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
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