Twenty-Five Greatest Players in Cardinals History
Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Here are the greatest players in Cardinals team history.
When people think about the origins of the NFL, and the teams that started it all, the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and a few others come to mind. The Arizona Cardinals likely do not. However, despite a lack of success that makes those other teams memorable, the Cardinals were one of the charter members in the NFL, and are the oldest franchise in the NFL, continuously operated since 1898.
They began in Chicago, and remained there through the start of the NFL in 1920. In 1960 they moved to St Louis, and then in 1988, moved again, this time to the state of Arizona, first as the Phoenix Cardinals, then as the Arizona Cardinals.
Though they haven’t had a great deal of success, outside of two championships when they were still in Chicago, they have had their share of great players at every position, but especially in the secondary. Here’s a look at the top 25 players in Cardinals franchise history.
The players on this list were ranked solely on their time with the Cardinals franchise, and any time spent elsewhere did not factor in.
Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Luis Sharpe, Tackle
1982-94
Luis Sharpe was an underrated blocker during his time.
Any time a player can hold onto a job in the NFL for 13 seasons, he must be doing something well. What Sharpe did very well was use his 6’5, nearly 300 pound frame to move opposing players around on the football field.
After being selected in the 1st round of the 1982 NFL Draft, Sharpe didn’t take long to live up to his draft status. He took over the starting job mid-way through his rookie season, and didn’t let go for a long time, outside of a couple of injuries. He was a three-time Pro Bowler in consecutive years from 1987 to 1989, and was a top tackle in the league, even while playing for a Cardinals team that wasn’t very good for the most part.
Sharpe’s post-NFL life has been a struggle, with family tragedy, and a drug problem that has caused him to spend several years behind bars, but fans that witnessed him on the field know that he was a big-time player, and one of the best offensive linemen that the team has ever had. He was a terrific player who didn’t get the recognition that he deserved while he was playing.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Pat Tillman, Safety
1998-2001
Before he was an American hero, Pat Tillman was a budding star.
Tillman is remembered, and rightly so, for his contributions, not on the field, but to his country as a soldier in the United States Army, where he paid the ultimate sacrifice on April 22, 2004. However, as a player, he was certainly no slouch.
Drafted out of Arizona State, where he played as an undersized linebacker, he earned a spot in the starting lineup quickly, after moving to the safety position. His toughness was lauded, and he continued to get lots of playing time. His best season came in 2000, when he recorded well over 100 tackles, had one and a half sacks, forced two fumbles, and added an interception. He played one more season after that, then turned down a contract extension in order to join the military.
His career was short, and his numbers aren’t huge, but he had an impact on the field in his brief time in Arizona. Tillman will always be remembered as a hero off the field, but he was a terrific player who might have had a brilliant career in football if he had gone that route.
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jim Hart, Quarterback
1966-83
Jim Hart was a good player for many years.
Longevity is a skill, and one Hart had in spades. He started one game as a rookie, then proceeded to take the starting job for the next 15 seasons. He had mixed results as an NFL passer.
Other than his ability to play into his late 30s, Hart didn’t have a remarkable career. His record as a starter is almost exactly .500. He also threw more interceptions than touchdowns, completed barely 50% of his passes, and never won a playoff game during his long tenure in Arizona. It should be noted, in the interest of fairness, that he played during the Dead Ball Era, and nobody had great numbers. His were not as bad as they seem.
His 34,665 yards passing leaves him just outside the top 25 all-time, but he did rank inside the top five in that category in six different seasons. He was in the top five in passing touchdowns three times. His best years were from 1974 to 1977. During that four year span, he averaged more than 2,600 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. He made the Pro Bowl in each of those four seasons, had a 38-18 record, and led the team to two playoff trips.
Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Eric Swann, Defensive Line
1991-99
Eric Swann was a dominant player for a short period of time.
Swann took a different route to the NFL than most. After being declared ineligible to play in college football, he enrolled at a community college, then after a year signed with a semi-pro team to get back on the field. In 1991, the Cardinals drafted him in the first round and signed him to an NFL contract.
Primarily lining up at the left defensive tackle position, Swann became an impact player through his nine seasons in Arizona. He made the Pro Bowl twice, in back to back seasons in 1995 and 1996, but was consistently effective throughout his career. He totaled 46 ½ sacks, six forced fumbles, and eight fumble recoveries, and even had two interceptions. The Cardinals were happy enough with him to make him the highest paid player in team history in 1998.
Like many great players, Swann eventually became the victim of the injury bug, and after the 1999 season, suffering from a knee injury, was released. He played just one more season, and retired at age 30. Cardinals fans got to see him play some very good football before he hung them up, though.
Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Karlos Dansby, Linebacker
2004-09
There isn’t much Karlos Dansby didn’t do at a high level.
That Dansby never made a Pro Bowl, in Arizona or otherwise, isn’t an indication of how good he has been. He has been a terrific player for a number of years. He was drafted in the 2nd round in 2004 and immediately made an impact for the Cardinals.
In his rookie season, he amassed five sacks, forced a fumble and recovered three others, and had an interception. The years that followed had more of the same. In his six seasons in Arizona, Dansby averaged 73 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles, five passes defensed, and two interceptions. He may not have made any Pro Bowls, but the Cardinals thought enough of him to place the franchise tag on him twice, before he wound up leaving via free agency and signing a huge contract with the Miami Dolphins after the 2009 season. He did return, later on, for one season. In that season, he had a career high with four interceptions, over 100 tackles, four and a half sacks, and scored twice.
Dansby’s ability to contribute in so many ways made him a valuable member of Arizona’s defense. Though his career there didn’t last as long as many might have wished, he certainly accomplished a lot in a short time, and was one of the best linebackers in team history. He might not have made a Pro Bowl, but he played some Pro Bowl caliber football.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Calais Campbell, Defensive End
2008-?
Calais Campbell has become one of the great 3-4 ends in football.
Defensive ends in the 3-4 alignment don’t often have huge numbers, but that doesn’t negate the impact they can have. Campbell was drafted by the Cardinals in 2nd round of the 2008 NFL Draft and has been one their most consistently good players since.
Campbell has used his tremendous length to his advantage in his nine-year career, able to successfully play both the run and the pass equally well. Since he took over as a starter in his second year, he’s averaging seven sacks per season, and 46 tackles. He also has 6 forced fumbles and a couple of interceptions credited to him, not counting his current season. His height makes him a weapon on special teams too, and he has blocked more than a few kicks.
His play finally got him recognized in 2014, when he made his first of two Pro Bowl trips so far. At 30 years old, he likely has more years of excellence in front of him, and by the time he decides to hang them up, he’ll probably warrant being much higher on this list.
Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports
Charley Trippi, Halfback
1947-55
Charley Trippi could do everything on a football field.
Part of the “Million Dollar Backfield” when the Cardinals were based in Chicago, Trippi was a versatile playmaker, who made an instant impact. In his rookie season, the Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1947 NFL Championship Game. In that game he ran for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Trippi played nine seasons, and was among the league’s top ten rushers four times, and inside the top five in yards per carry five times. His career average of 5.1 yards per carry would be one of the highest in NFL history. If his success at running the ball wasn’t enough, in 1951, he moved to quarterback for two years, and had a Pro Bowl season there. He also punted and returned kicks during his career.
Though the Cardinals never duplicated their team success from his rookie season, Trippi was certainly not responsible. He stands as one of only a few players in NFL history with 1,000 yards rushing, receiving, and passing. He was a two-time Pro Bowler, and was eventually elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Roy Green, Receiver
1979-90
Not as recognized as more recent receivers, Roy Green was still a great player.
While Green isn’t as well-known as some of the receivers that will come later on this list, he was very good for a long time. Drafted in 1979, he didn’t contribute much until his third season, but from that point on, he was a dependable playmaker.
Green’s best season was in 1984, when he had 78 receptions for 1,555 yards (which led the league), and 12 touchdowns. It was his second straight year with double digit scores, having led the league with 14 the previous season. From 1981 until his final season with the franchise, he averaged 52 catches, 848 yards, and seven touchdowns. He also returned both a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns during his career.
Though he isn’t well-remembered today, Green was one of the best receivers in franchise history. He’s second in team history in yards receiving, second in touchdown catches, and fourth in receptions. He made two Pro Bowl appearances and a first-team All Pro twice as well, and was recently inducted into the Cardinals Ring of Honor, a place he most certainly deserves.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Ollie Matson, Halfback
1952-58
Ollie Matson’s star burned brightly, but not for long enough.
Matson is another player who, had he spent more time with the franchise, would have been higher on this list. He was a terrific runner, and good receiver who lined up at wide receiver quite often. No matter where he lined up, he made plays.
Matson was an extremely valuable player from the start. His Rookie of the Year campaign in 1952 saw him score eight times and total 1,275 yards, which was good for 4th in the league. He would be in the top four in that category in every year he played for the Cardinals. Despite playing for only six seasons, he is 9th in career rushing yards in team history, and 6th in total touchdowns. He’s also the team’s all-time leader in returns for scores, with nine.
An Olympic level athlete, Matson used his natural skills to become a great player. He made the Pro Bowl in all six of his seasons with the Cardinals, and a first-team All Pro in five of those years. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972, and is a member of the Cardinals Ring of Honor.
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Darnell Dockett, Defensive Line
2004-13
Darnell Dockett was loud, out-spoken, and really good at football.
One of the more outspoken players in Cardinals history, Dockett was also a superb defensive lineman for them. After dropping in the NFL Draft to the third round, he quickly became a starter, and within a couple of seasons, became an important part of the team’s defense.
Dockett had 3 ½ sacks, an interception, three passes defensed, and a forced fumble in year one, solidifying his spot as a starter, but it was in his fourth season that he exploded. He racked up nine sacks that season, earning his first Pro Bowl berth. A durable player who rarely missed a game in his ten year career, he finished with 40 ½ sacks, four interceptions, nine forced fumbles, and 14 fumble recoveries, two of which he returned for touchdowns. He also saved his biggest game for the biggest stage. In Super Bowl XLIII he sacked Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger three times in a close defeat.
Many fans will remember Dockett for his exploits in social media, where he did not hold back, despite what people may have thought about what he said. They should remember him as a three-time Pro Bowler who was one of the best defensive linemen in team history.
Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Ken Harvey, Linebacker
1988-93
Ken Harvey was an tremendous pass rusher.
Though he didn’t make it to a Pro Bowl until he had left the team, Harvey was a highly effective pass rusher, and great linebacker for the Cardinals. He spent six seasons with the organization before moving on to the Washington Redskins.
Harvey was drafted by the Cardinals with the 12th overall selection in 1988. He had six sacks in his rookie year, despite not starting a single game. Six would be the lowest number of sacks he would have while in Arizona. He would average eight sacks per season, totaling 47 ½ for the Cardinals. That number puts him 5th in team history, despite him spending only the six years there. He made a number of big plays during his limited time with the Cardinals franchise, and became a star.
In 1994, Harvey signed with the Washington Redskins, where he had his Pro Bowl years, and he ended up in the top five in sacks in team history for them as well. He will be remembered for his tremendous ability to make his way to opposing quarterbacks and put them on the ground. He was one of the best pure pass rushers in Cardinals history.
Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Peterson, Cornerback
2011-?
Patrick Peterson’s talent level is nearly unmatched.
There aren’t a whole lot of players around the NFL who are better athletes than Peterson. He has great size, terrific speed, instincts for the position, and the right attitude for a professional cornerback. Fans of the Cardinals love him for it.
After being the 5th overall pick in the 2011 draft, hopes were high that he’d be a shutdown corner. Outside of a dip in his play a few seasons ago, he’s lived up to the hype. His first year in the league saw him intercept two passes and return an astounding four kicks for touchdowns. In 2012 he set career highs with seven interceptions and five fumble recoveries. He has 19 picks in his career so far, but opposing quarterbacks don’t test him very often, as he does what great cornerbacks do, lock down half the field.
Peterson has been a Pro Bowler in every season of his career thus far, and has been a first-team All Pro three times. He’s also still playing at a very high level, and should add to those totals. He follows in a long line of great Cardinals defensive backs, and is one of the most beloved players in team history.
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Larry Centers, Fullback
1990-98
Larry Centers changed the way fullbacks were viewed.
Fullbacks are big, bruising players who are built to hit people, primarily, opening holes for the real skill guys. They catch the occasional pass, or carry the ball in short-yardage situations, but they’re not big-time athletes. Then along came Centers.
When being recruited after high school, teams saw him as a running back, a receiver, or even a defensive back. Once in college, he did a little of everything, and was good at everything. As a professional, his career started slow, but as the role of the fullback changed, he got involved and made plays. He was a particularly dangerous player catching passes out of the backfield, catching more than 100 passes in 1995, then 99 the following season. He also sits 3rd all-time in receptions in team history.
Centers made the Pro Bowl in 1995 and 1996, and his 828 career catches places him inside the top 30 in NFL history, and he’s the all-time leader in catches for a running back. He was also an immensely popular player in Arizona, and still fondly remembered. He helped redefine what a running back could do and the nature of the fullback position.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jackie Smith, Tight End
1963-77
Jackie Smith was one of the early great pass catching tight ends.
The tight end position in the 60’s and 70’s was not the same as it is today. They certainly caught passes and were capable receivers, but they were built to block first, catch passes second. There were guys who were very good at both, however, and Smith definitely fell into that category.
Though he wasn’t drafted until the 10th round in 1963, Smith earned a role in the offense quickly, and it didn’t take long for him to be a big part of the offense. From his second season, in 1964, through 1970, when he made his last Pro Bowl appearance, he averaged 45 receptions for 765 yards and four touchdowns. His best season was in 1967 when he recorded 56 catches for 1,205 yards and nine scores. Injuries slowed him down in the latter part of his career, but for 15 seasons he was a major contributor to the Cardinals.
Smith’s play helped to evolve the tight end position in the NFL. The five-time Pro Bowler was a legitimate weapon for the offense, something not always true at that spot. This helped him eventually be honored by induction into the Hall of Fame. He’s mostly remembered for one negative play, in the one year he spent playing for a different team, but he was one of the greatest tight ends of his era.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Ottis Anderson, Running Back
1979-86
Ottis Anderson was the greatest running back in Cardinals history.
There may be many who remember Ottis Anderson for his time with the New York Giants, where he won two Super Bowl rings, and was MVP of Super Bowl XXV. However, before his run in the Big Apple, he was putting up big numbers for the Cardinals, who were in Saint Louis at the time.
Anderson’s career started with a bang. In his debut, he rushed for 193 yards and a touchdown, and he would break 100 yards rushing eight more times in his rookie campaign. He finished the year with over 1,600 yards and 8 scores. He made the Pro Bowl and was named Offensive Rookie of the Year. In his first six seasons, he averaged 1,227 yards and 7 touchdowns, an especially remarkable feat considering his fourth year was a strike-shortened season where he only rushed for 587 yards. After a disappointing year in 1985, he was traded to the Giants.
Though he made himself a name for New York, he still stands as the greatest running back in Cardinals history, and he is still their all-time leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. The teams he played on were generally not very good, but Anderson was certainly one of the few bright spots.
Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Simeon Rice, Defensive End
1996-00
Simeon Rice was virtually unstoppable as a pass rusher.
Rice is easily the best pure pass rusher on this list, and would be higher had he spent more than just five seasons in Arizona. He was the third overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft, but contract issues would mar his tenure with the Cardinals, and he left once he was able to do so, unfortunately for the team that drafted him.
Though a contract dispute held him out of training camp as a rookie, it had little effect on his play. He had 12 ½ sacks in his first year, earning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, and would total 51 ½ in just five seasons for the Cardinals. His 1999 season was his best, as he recorded 16 ½ sacks and forced five fumbles en route to his first Pro Bowl trip. He’s tied for second in team history in sacks, despite the fact that he spent such a short time with the franchise.
Rice will be remembered best for the years he spent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he would win a Super Bowl, but he was a devastating pass rusher in Arizona as well. Fans will have to wonder what could have been, had he stayed with the team.
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Anquan Boldin, Receiver
2003-09
Anquan Boldin is one of the most physical receivers in history.
There aren’t many receivers in football more well-known than Larry Fitzgerald, but the Cardinals had another receiver across from him for several years who was dominating in his own right. Boldin was selected in 2003, and left his mark on the Cardinals from the start.
Boldin was the very definition of “instant impact”. In his first game, he recorded 217 yards receiving, a record. He had 101 receptions, 1,377 yards, and eight touchdowns in his first year, winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. In his seven seasons in Arizona, he would average 84 receptions, 1,074 yards, and six scores. Though he wasn’t the fastest receiver, he was incredibly strong, and had terrific hands. This allowed him to make a number of incredible plays throughout his career.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Boldin left Arizona as one of the franchise’s greatest receivers. He’s second all time in catches, fourth in yards, and fifth in touchdown catches. Fans of the Cardinals will fondly remember his years with the team, and the toughness he brought to the position.
Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Adrian Wilson, Safety
2001-12
For many years, Adrian Wilson was as dependable as it gets.
For 12 years, Wilson roamed the Cardinals secondary, making play after play. The former third round selection was a versatile player who could contribute in any number of ways, and fans certainly appreciated what he brought to the table. He was a popular player, and a natural leader in Arizona.
Wilson became the starting strong safety in his second season, and didn’t relinquish it until he retired after the 2012 season. He had terrific instincts, both as a tackler, and as a pass defender, retiring with over 700 tackles, 25 ½ sacks, 100 passes defended, and 27 interceptions. He also forced 16 fumbles, and recovered eight. In team history, he’s 2nd in tackles, 6th in interceptions, and is the all time Cardinals leader in forced fumbles.
Wilson was elected to the Pro Bowl five times in his career, and a first-team All Pro in 2009. He was also placed in the team’s Ring of Honor. The Cardinals have had its share of great defensive backs, and Wilson definitely deserves to mentioned with the best of them.
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Roger Wehrli, Cornerback
1969-82
Roger Wehrli wasn’t as heralded as others of his day, but he was just as good.
One thing the Cardinals franchise has done well is develop players in the secondary. The franchise has a great history with both cornerbacks and safeties, and this list is littered with them. Though the name Wehrli isn’t as well known as some of the others, he was a tremendous player and all time great.
Wehrli began his career in 1969 after being drafted in the first round that year. He had three interceptions in his first season, six the following year, and amassed 40 in his illustrious career, good for third in team history. Roger Staubach once called him the best cornerback he ever played against, and claims that Wehrli is where the term “shutdown corner” originated.
A number of awards and honors were extended to Wehrli both while he played, and after he retired. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler, and was first team All Pro three times. He was named to the 1970’s All Decade team, and elected to the Cardinals Ring of Honor. In 2007, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He may not be as well known as some other Cardinals greats, but he was one of the best in the franchise’s history.
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kurt Warner, Quarterback
2005-09
Kurt Warner is the only Cardinals quarterback to take them to a Super Bowl.
The story of Kurt Warner is one of the NFL’s best. He went from NFL hopeful, to grocery store clerk, to Arena Football, NFL Europe, and finally the NFL, where he shocked the world. When he found his way to Arizona, he was 34 years old, and seemed to be on the downside of his career. That turned out to be not quite true.
Warner began his stay with the Cardinals on a bit of a sour note. He was injured, and the team went just 2-8 with him as a starter. However, the team brought him back, and after a bit of a battle with Matt Leinart, took over. In 2008, at age 37, he threw for 4,500 yards and 30 touchdowns, and led Arizona to the Super Bowl, where they were nearly champions.
His overall record in Arizona isn’t all that impressive, and his numbers don’t jump off the board, but he did something no other quarterback has ever done, in getting the franchise to its only Super Bowl appearance. He made the Pro Bowl once, and is in the Ring of Honor for the Cardinals. He didn’t have a long career in Arizona, but he definitely left a lasting mark, and will be remembered fondly by fans.
Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dan Dierdorf, Tackle
1971-83
Few tackles were as solid as Dan Dierdorf.
Many people remember Dierdorf as one of the announcers of Monday Night Football, or for his time doing the same job for CBS. However, fans of the Cardinals know he was the best offensive lineman the franchise has ever had. Before he moved to the announcer’s booth, he was a dominating offensive tackle on the field.
Dierdorf was a second round draft pick out of Michigan, and played both guard and tackle for his first few seasons. Eventually, he found a home at tackle and began the task of building a Hall of Fame career. From 1974 to 1978, he was at his best, and earned Pro Bowl berths in each of those seasons. During that run, he went two full years without allowing a single sack. During that run, the team was, not coincidentally, pretty good, going 44-28 and making two trips to the playoffs.
He was a pretty good announcer, but Dierdorf was a better football player. He went to a total of six Pro Bowls, and was first-team All Pro three times. He was placed in the Cardinal Ring of Honor, and in 1996, was elected to the Hall of Fame.
Mandatory Credit: Charlie Kaijo/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK
Night Train Lane Cornerback
1954-59
Dick “Night Train” Lane was one of the most feared players in NFL history.
If entire careers were being considered, “Night Train” would likely top this list. As it is, in just six seasons with the Cardinals franchise, he did enough to be this high. He was one of the best players in the history of the NFL, showing uncanny ball skills and a willingness to hit that was legendary.
Lane came to the Cardinals, then in Chicago, via a trade, and made an immediate impact. In his first season he intercepted ten passes, and returned them for 181 total yards. He averaged five interceptions per year for those six seasons, and the 30 he tallied for the Cardinals is good for fourth on their all-time list. Just as importantly, he was an intimidating presence in the secondary. He did whatever was necessary to bring guys down, and left many men lying on the ground in pain.
During his six years with the franchise, Lane the Pro Bowl four times, and was first-team All Pro once. He is in the Cardinals Ring of Honor, was on the 1950’s All-Decade team, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1974.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Aeneas Williams, Cornerback
1991-00
Aeneas Williams talked softly, but made the big picks.
There was something special about Williams right from the start. He came from Southern University, and didn’t play football until his Junior season because he wanted to concentrate on school. He wasn’t brash, and didn’t get drafted until round three. On the field, though, he showed how special he really was.
He had six interceptions in his rookie campaign, and 46 total during his time with the Cardinals. This is good for second place in team history. His six returns for a touchdown is a franchise record. He’s also sixth in tackles in Cardinals history. For ten seasons, he blanked opposing teams’ best receiver, and did it well. His instincts and intelligence were on constant display, and his ball skills and tackling ability were evident. Though unassuming, he was one of the league’s best cornerbacks for a number of years.
Williams made six Pro Bowls during his decade in Arizona, and he was first-team All Pro twice. The Cardinals placed him in their Ring of Honor in 2008, and he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2014. He didn’t see a lot of team success in his time with the Cardinals franchise, but his individual play was truly special.
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Larry Wilson, Safety
1960-72
Larry Wilson redefined what an NFL safety can do.
He doesn’t look the part, but Larry Wilson was the greatest safety in Cardinals history, and one of the best in NFL history. Standing 6’0” and weighing in at just 190 lbs, he lasted until round seven of the NFL Draft in 1960. Every other team would see he deserved to go much higher.
Wilson never had less than two interceptions in any season, and amassed 52 for his career, which is tops in team history. He’s at the top of the Cardinals list in interception return yards as well. Then there’s the impact on the league as a whole. Coaches used him as a blitzer, which was uncommon in his era, thus making him one of the originators of the safety blitz so common today. His toughness was evident in the way he played, and the way he was ready to play in every circumstance. He famously played a game with casts on both hands, and not only played, but intercepted a pass.
Players around the league respected Wilson as much as any of their peers. Jerry Kramer called him the finest football player in the NFL. He went to eight Pro Bowls, was first-team All Pro five times, was named to both the 1960’s and 70’s All Decade teams, was placed on the NFL 50th and75th Anniversary teams, and was elected to the Hall of Fame. The Cardinals retired his number and placed him into their Ring of Honor.
Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Larry Fitzgerald, Receiver
2004-?
Larry Fitzgerald will go down as one of the best receivers the NFL has ever seen.
The Cardinals have had many beloved players throughout the franchise’s history. None touch the adoration that Fitzgerald gets, and for good reason. His behavior is exemplary and worthy of role model status. His ability is nearly unmatched. His play has been the stuff legends are made of.
He’s still playing, but Fitzgerald has put his name all over the record books, both for the Cardinals and the NFL. He’s first in team history in receptions (5th in NFL history) with 1,096, receiving touchdowns (8th in NFL history) with 103, and receiving yards (11th in NFL history) with 14,168. His combination of size, speed, and hands borders on unnatural, and he has made some of his biggest plays in the biggest games. He had them less than three minutes from a championship in Super Bowl XLIII, after converting a catch for a 64-yard touchdown. The defense couldn’t hold on, but Fitzgerald recorded seven catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
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Fitzgerald is a nine-time Pro Bowler, and was first-team All Pro in 2008. The Cardinals are sure to heap honors on him after his retirement, and a place in their Ring of Honor seems destined. He’s also a sure-fire Hall of Famer, likely on the first ballot. His career is winding down, though he’s still putting up big numbers, and it won’t be long until he’s caught his final pass, but he’s the kind of player who will stay on fans’ minds for a long time. He’s the greatest player in Cardinals history. He’s a legend.
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