NEW ORLEANS, La - Now a National Football League veteran, offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod starts his sixth professional season when he leads the New Orleans Saints into their season opener against the Washington Redskins at the Superdome on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

An All-Pro tackle last season, Jermon is a 2007 Towson graduate who was drafted by New Orleans in the fourth round. When the Saints host Washington, he will be playing in his 51st NFL game and making his 47th start.

The Saints have survived a tumultuous off-season and are hoping to earn their fourth straight playoff berth. Last year, New Orleans had a 13-3 regular season record before losing to San Francisco in the second round of the playoffs.