Notebook: Saints rookie sensations, remembering Tommy Nobis

Just clearing off the desk before the ball drops to begin a new year…

There’s been much hype about Saints rookie tandem of Marshon Lattimore and Alvin Kamara for postseason honors. Both are certainly justifying the praise. If in fact they are selected as NFL Rookies of the Year on offense and defense, it won’t be the first time a Saints player has been so recognized.

In 1981, George Rogers was chosen as NFL offensive Rookie of the Year while Rueben Mayes was the recipient in 1986.

The Cleveland Browns with their revolving door at QB have been a train wreck for quite some time. Actually, it wasn’t that long ago that Derek Anderson made a Pro Bowl appearance for the Browns in 2002. Prior to that you’d have to go back to 1987 when Bernie Kosar was selected to Pro Bowl.

When the New York Giants sat Eli Manning against the Oakland Raiders, ending his 210 consecutive streak as a starter, the move also marked a first for the storied franchise. When Geno Smith stepped under center, he became the first African-American QB to ever start for the New York Giants in their history. Until that time the Giants were the only remaining NFL team that had not had an African-American start at quarertback in at least one game.

It may have gone unnoticed by some, but the football lost one of their all time greats and one of my favorite players. Tommy Nobis passed away at age 74 on December 13 following an extended illness. He was a two way player for the Texas Longhorns in the early ’60’s, lining up at offensive guard and linebacker for a national championship squad. He was a three-time All-Southwest Conference selection (1963-’65) and twice named All-American.

As a sophomore in ’63, Nobis was a key figure in the Longhorns’ win over no. 2 Navy and Heisman winner Roger Staubach in the Cotton Bowl. The following season, he led the defense that topped Joe Namath and the Alabama Crimson Tide on a game-saving 4th and inches tackle. His jersey No. 60 has been retired by Texas.

Nobis was the very first choice of the Atlanta Falcons in their inaugural draft of 1966. Playing a 14-game schedule at that time, Nobis posted an unfathomable 294 tackles during the ’66 campaign. That record still stands, although the actual number has been disputed. He made five Pro Bowls during his 11 year pro career. He spent the latter years of his life involved in helping Special Olympics.

Former NFL star and tough guy Larry Csonka aptly captured the respect that players had for Nobis when he said, “I’d rather play against Dick Butkus than Nobis.”