Former Saints Could Have Big Say in Winner of Super Bowl LVII
Unless you're a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles or Kansas City Chiefs, some might lack the motivation to watch Super Bowl LVII Sunday evening. The Super Bowl is annually one of television's most watched events every year. Most tune in even if they have no rooting interest in either team.
Some watch for the halftime show or pageantry of the event. Others pay closest attention to the commercials. Many use it for an excuse to go to or throw a party. Some are simply football fans that want to see who this year’s NFL championship will be awarded to.
If you're a fan of the New Orleans Saints, perhaps you are rooting for (or against) certain members of your former team. Here are the ex-Saints on both squads in Super Bowl LVII.
Kansas City Chiefs
• Steve Spagnuolo, Asst. Coach
• Michael Burton, FB
October 21, 2012; New Orleans defensive coordinator Saints Steve Spagnuolo talks with linebacker Jonathan Vilma (51) and teammates against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Spagnuolo, 63, is one of the most respected assistant coaches in the NFL. He's been a head coach just once, with the St. Louis Rams from 2009-2011 (a 10-38 record), along with serving as the interim coach of the New York Giants to finish 2017. He has also been a defensive coordinator for 11 NFL seasons and a defensive assistant for 10 other years with six different teams.
One of those teams was the New Orleans Saints. Spagnuolo was the Saints defensive coordinator in 2012, the year that Sean Payton and previous DC Gregg Williams were controversially suspended for the year. During that infamous 2012 campaign, Spagnuolo's defense ranked 32nd in total defense, 31st in points allowed, 31st against the pass, and 32nd against the run. The 2012 Saints set an NFL record for most yards allowed (7,042) that still stands.
Spagnuolo was fired upon Payton's return in 2013. He'd land as a defensive assistant with the Baltimore Ravens for two years, then the Giants for four years, before being hired by the Chiefs in 2019 in his current role.
Burton was a journeyman back that played with three different teams in his first five years before being signed by New Orleans in 2020. In his only season with the Saints, Burton was a hard-nosed lead blocker that rushed for 18 yards on seven carries and caught six passes for 43 yards.
In his two years with Kansas City, Burton has 33 rushing yards with one touchdown and five receptions for 42 yards.
Philadelphia Eagles
• Ian Book, QB
• Boston Scott, RB
• C.J. Gardner-Johnson, S
Jan 5, 2020; New Orleans Saints defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (22) lines up against Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Bisi Johnson (81). Mandatory Credit: Derick Hingle-USA TODAY
Book was a fourth-round pick by the Saints in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. The plan was to develop Book as a rookie, but it didn't work out that way.
The raw Book was an emergency start in a Week 16 Monday night against the Miami Dolphins. On a team completely depleted by COVID and injuries, Book threw for 135 yards, was intercepted twice, and sacked 8 times in a 20-6 loss. After struggling this preseason, Book was released and signed by Philadelphia. He didn't take a snap this season and will only play in the Super Bowl under disastrous circumstances.
Scott was a sixth-round pick by the Saints out of Louisiana Tech in the 2018 NFL Draft. Despite an impressive rookie preseason, Scott didn't see any action for New Orleans. He was signed off the Saints practice squad late in the 2018 campaign by Philadelphia.
In the last four seasons with the Eagles, Scott has been a terrific complementary piece for their offense. He's rushed for 1,209 yards, caught 67 passes for another 514, and has scored 20 touchdowns counting postseason.
Gardner-Johnson was a crucial part of the New Orleans defense from 2019 to 2021 after the team selected him in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Florida. In three years with the Saints, Gardner-Johnson intercepted four passes, broke up 28 others, and recorded three sacks and 15 tackles for loss among 161 total stops. He was a versatile playmaker for the Saints defense and considered one of the better slot corners in the league.
A preseason contract dispute with New Orleans management turned ugly on the field in training camp. It resulted in the Saints trading Gardner-Johnson to the Eagles just before the start of the regular season for fifth and sixth round draft choices.
Despite missing five games with injury, Gardner-Johnson led the NFL with 6 interceptions and broke up eight passes to go along with a sack and five tackles for loss. He'll be a vital part of a second-ranked Eagles defense that was first against the pass against the top-ranked Chiefs passing attack led by league MVP Patrick Mahomes.
Book, Burton, Gardner-Johnson, and Scott will be making their first appearances in the Super Bowl. This is Spagnuolo's fifth time on football's biggest stage.
Spagnuolo was Philadelphia's LB coach when the Eagles lost to New England in Super Bowl XXXIX, the Giants' defensive coordinator when they knocked off an undefeated Patriots team in Super Bowl XLII, and Kansas City's defensive coordinator when they beat the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV and lost to Tampa Bay in Super Bowl LV.
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