Top 10 Arizona/ Phoenix / St. Louis Cardinals from 1965 on

Image Courtesy of Bing

The history of the Arizona- Phoenix- St Louis-Chicago Cardinals isn’t particularly glorious.  They’ve been to exactly one Super Bowl and won none.  There was a nice run during the 70s under Don Coryell and of course, that 2008 Super Bowl appearance, but generally speaking there’s been a shortage of great players.  A few of my favorites who did not make the list include Roy Green, Mel Gray and Jim Hart.  Here are the guys that did.

 10. Kurt Warner:  The Cardinals don’t have a list of great QBs, though Jim Hart had a nice run during the 70s, even making the Pro Bowl four times.  Kurt Warner makes this list by leading the Cardinals to their only Super Bowl appearance.  He had a great run through the playoffs in 2008.  He was even better in the 2009 playoffs.  In six playoff games with the Cardinals, his passer rating was 117.4.  Warner spent five seasons with the Cardinals.  In 2008 he was named to the Pro Bowl.  Even more importantly, he was named the NFL’s MVP.

9. Jackie Smith:  It’s a shame what Jackie Smith is most remembered for is a dropped pass in the end zone of during Super Bowl XIII.  He was a Dallas Cowboy by that time in his career.  Prior to that, he was an outstanding tight end for the St. Louis Cardinals.  Smith spent 15 seasons with the Cardinals catching 480 passes for 7818 yards and 40 TDs.  Jackie had excellent speed as a tight end, averaging 16.5 yards per catch.  Smith was also named to the Pro Bowl every year from 1966-70. 

8. Ottis Anderson:  Before finishing his career with the Giants, Ottis had a nice run with the Cardinals.  Anderson’s best season was his rookie year, 1979 when he gained a career high 1605 rushing  yards from the line of scrimmage.  He also caught 41 passes for 308 yards.  That was good enough to make both the Pro Bowl and All Pro team that season. Anderson was also named the Pro Bowl the following year.  Ottis spent eight seasons with the Cards and gamed over 1000 yards five times. 

7. Ken Gray:  In a nod to the 60s, Ken Gray comes in at the number seven spot.  Gray started with the Cardinals in 1958, converted to right guard in 1960 and stayed there through the 1969 season.  During that time he was named to the Pro Bowl six times and All Pro two times.  Gray was named to the Pro Football Reference All 60s first team.

6. Aeneas Williams:  The Cardinals have had more than their share of great defensive backs over the years.  There are four defensive backs from slots 6-2 on this list.  Aeneas spent 10 seasons with the Cardinals and went to the Pro Bowl six times.  He was also named to the All Pro team twice.  Williams picked off 46 passes, forced four fumbles and recovered 14.  He was also named to both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Reference All 1990s second team.

5. Roger Wehrli:  Roger was one of the premier cornerbacks in the NFL in the 1970s.  He was selected to seven Pro Bowls and four All Pro teams.  Wehrli had 4.5 speed, which was exceptional for a defensive back in the 1970s and was basically a shutdown corner.  His interception total for his career was 40, and he added another 22 turnovers via recovered fumbles.  While not as flashy as some defensive backs, Wehrli was one of the best the NFL has seen in the last 55 years.

4. Dan Dierdorf:  While Don Coryell is most know for his work with the Chargers, he has a pretty good run with an electric offense in St. Louis with the Cardinals.  Beyond having dynamic skill players, there was some excellent offensive line play.  Dan Dierdorf was a big part of that.  Dan was named to six Pro Bowls and three All Pro team as the Cardinals offensive right tackle.  Dierdorf was also named to the Pro Football Reference All 70s second team.  He went on to have a better than fair career as a broadcaster.  The highlight was a 12 year gig on MNF.

3. Pat Peterson:  Peterson came into the league in 2011 and has been selected to the Pro Bowl each season.  He was also named to the All Pro team three times. He will probably be named to various All 2010s teams in a few years.  As of now, Peterson has accounted for 35 turnovers, 23 via interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries.  In his rookie season Peterson had a great season returning punts, taking four of them back for TDs.  Peterson is one of the best corners in the NFL and has been for some time now, but playing for the Cardinals is putting his light under a bushel basket.

2. Larry Wilson:  Larry is my favorite Arizona-Phoenix-St. Louis Cardinal.  Wilson was capable of intercepting a pass with both hands in a cast and also getting to the QB on a safety blitz.  He was a pioneer of the safety blitz.  In 13 seasons in the Cardinals defensive backfield, Wilson intercepted 52 passes, returning five of them for scores.  Larry’s best season was 1966 when he led the NFL with 10 picks.  Wilson was selected for eight Pro Bowls and five All Pro teams.  He was also named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All 60s team and the Pro Football Reference All 60s second team. In addition, he was also named to the Pro Football Reference All 70s second team.

1. Larry Fitzgerald:  In looking at this list, it’s obvious what the Cardinals problem has been.  They need more Larrys.  They are going to be the only team on any of these lists that has Larrys in the first two slots. And argument could be made that these Larrys could be flip flopped.  While Wilson was great, that word would also describe Fitzgerald.  Fitz toiled for the Cardinals 15 seasons and caught 1303 passes for 16,279 yards and 116 TDs.  Larry led the NFL in TD receptions twice.  Fitzgerald was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times and All Pro once.  The Cardinals draft strategy going forward should be obvious, look for the best Larry available.