Saints And The Rams: A Tale Of Two Cities, One Iconic Trade, And The Fallout That Shaped The NFL
The Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints share a unique bond in NFL history, one defined by a controversial trade that sent star running back Marshall Faulk from the Rams to the Saints in 2000. This deal not only altered the trajectory of two franchises but also sparked league-wide debate over tampering and player movement. While the Rams eventually won Super Bowl XXXIV in St. Louis, the Saints endured a prolonged period of struggle that included a notorious bounty scandal before finding success with Drew Brees.
The trade on April 20, 2000, sent shockwaves through the NFL. The Rams, looking to shed salary and retool after a disappointing 1999 season, packaged Faulk with two draft picks to the Saints. In return, they received the third overall pick in the 2000 draft, which they used to select offensive tackle Orlando Pace, along with linebacker Tommy Polley and a fourth-round pick. The move was widely seen as a masterstroke by Rams front-office executive Bill Simmons, allowing the team to maintain its competitive edge while addressing future needs.
* **The Immediate Impact:** Faulk, a perennial All-Pro and the face of the Rams' offense, was gone. The Saints, who had struggled to find a consistent offensive engine since drafting Ricky Williams first overall in 1999, suddenly had a star running guard in their backfield. Faulk rushed for over 1,300 yards in his first season with New Orleans.
* **The Ramifications:** The trade is often cited as a turning point in the rivalry between the two franchises. The Rams, playing in an era dominated by Kurt Warner and the "Greatest Show on Turf," remained a potent offensive force for several more years. The Saints, however, continued to flounder around the .500 mark in the early 2000s, leading to fan frustration and questions about the team's direction.
The relationship between the two cities grew even more complex in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The Saints, displaced by the storm, temporarily relocated their operations to San Antonio, Texas, and played their first "home" game at the Alamodome. In a remarkable gesture, the Rams opened their facility in St. Louis to the Saints, allowing them to use it for practice and as a temporary home base. This act of solidarity, while appreciated, underscored the differing trajectories of the two clubs. The Rams were a stable, if not spectacular, franchise in a established market, while the Saints were a team fighting for survival and identity in the wake of unprecedented disaster.
The turning point for the Saints came with the hiring of head coach Sean Payton in 2006 and the drafting of quarterback Drew Brees in the second round of that year's draft. The Rams, meanwhile, entered a period of decline. The once-dynamic "Greatest Show on Turf" offense slowed, and the team failed to make the playoffs for several consecutive seasons. The contrast between the two franchises became stark: the Saints were ascending to the top of the NFC South, while the Rams were mired in mediocrity.
The rivalry took on a new, darker chapter in 2012 when the Saints were embroiled in a "bounty" scandal. Investigations revealed that the team had operated a slush fund that rewarded players for intentionally injuring opponents. While the Saints maintained that the program was not officially sanctioned, the league levied severe penalties, including the suspension of head coach Sean Payton for the entire 2012 season. The Rams, under new leadership from coach Jeff Fisher, were on the opposite side of the narrative, often finding themselves on the receiving end of Saints hits during that period. The scandal cast a long shadow over the Saints and served as a grim counterpoint to the on-field battles.
In recent years, the dynamics have shifted again. The Rams, under the leadership of coach Sean McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford, returned to the playoffs and captured Super Bowl LIII in the 2018 season. This resurgence has brought new energy to the franchise and its fanbase. The Saints, led by the ageless Drew Brees, have remained a competitive force in the NFC South, but they have yet to reach the same heights of dominance they enjoyed in the late 2000s and early 2010s. The current landscape sees the Rams as a perennial contender, while the Saints are fighting to reclaim their former glory.
The Faulk trade remains a pivotal moment in NFL history. It is a case study in how a single transaction can define the fortunes of two franchises for over a decade. For the Rams, it was a necessary step in a journey that led to a championship. For the Saints, it provided the foundation for a resurgence that, while not yet culminating in a Super Bowl, has been a remarkable period of competitiveness in the league. As both teams look to the future, the legacy of that April day in 2000 continues to resonate, a testament to the unpredictable and often unforgiving nature of professional football.
