Rickey Jackson: Saints 4-1 start ‘really not surprising’

NEW ORLEANS – Pro Football Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson was sporting his gold jacket Tuesday at the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Quarterback Club presented by Home Bank at Rock ‘n’ Bowl.

It’s the second one Jackson has received since his 2010 induction.

“I’ve got the first one at home, and I’m thinking about getting it framed,” Jackson said.

The Saints have a week off after a 4-1 start.

“They’re really not surprising me, but they’re playing a little better than what I anticipated,” Jackson said. “A lot of them are growing up right in front of you.

“They’ve got one of the two or three top coaches in football, and one of the top quarterbacks.”

After the bye, the Saints face a daunting schedule over the next month, with trips to Baltimore, Minnesota and Cincinnati and visits from the Los Angeles Rams and defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

“The tough schedule is coming up down the road, so we’ll see what they’re made of,” Jackson said. “All you want to do is get in the playoffs … and everybody’s got a chance then.”

On the heels of Drew Brees becoming the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards, Jackson said he deserves to be ranked among the elite in the game’s history.

“You can’t look over Tom Brady, you can’t look over Joe Montana, and you can’t look over Drew Brees,” Jackson said. “I put Drew Brees in the top three.”

There’s one more high on Jackson’s list.

“I like Dan Marino because I played with him in college,” he said. “He didn’t win a Super Bowl, but to me, he was a great quarterback.”