Until the 2008 season, the Chicago / St Louis / Phoenix / Arizona Cardinals were arguably one of the worst organizations in the history of the NFL. Since the Cardinals joined the NFL in 1920, Cardinal fans and collectors endured a long run of losing seasons, disappointing draft picks, and all-around bad play.

While they have registered many losing seasons, this should not reflect poorly on some of the truly great Hall of Fame players who have worn a Cardinal jersey during their careers. Hall of Famers like Dan Dierdorf, Jackie Smith and Roger Wherli should be remembered more for their play on the field than the records of the teams they played on.

Things changed for the better for Cardinals fans in 2008 when Kurt Warner assumed the starting role after winning the spot during training camp. With former Cardinal draft picks Larry Fitzgerald (2004), Anquan Boldin (2003), and Steve Breaston (2007) leading the wide receiver corp, and rookie draft pick RB Tim Hightower (2008) splitting carries with former Colts All-Pro RB Edgerinn James, the Cardinals made an improbable run to the Super Bowl.

Hall of Fame Players

Dan Dierdorf - T (1971-1983)

Dan Dierdorf was born a football player, he was perhaps the greatest guard in the history of the game. Dierdorf was crushing blocker who used great technique to hold blocks and open holes for the Cardinals rushing attack. Dierdorf may be best known for work on Monday Night Football, but ask any defensive player who faced him and they will to a man tell you that Dierdorf did his best work in the trenches.

“Dierdorf, who had been a consensus All-America at Michigan in 1970, possessed size, speed, quickness, discipline, intelligence and consistency, all necessary attributes for an outstanding lineman. The 6-3, 275-pounder from Canton, Ohio, where he was born on June 29, 1949, played both guard and tackle his first two seasons before settling down as the permanent right tackle in his third season. Dierdorf, who was equally effective as a blocker on both running and passing plays, was the ring-leader of the line that permitted the fewest sacks in the NFC for five straight years in the mid-1970s. In 1975, the Cardinals set a then-record by allowing only eight sacks in 14 games”. …” Dierdorf was named All-Pro five seasons – from 1975 to 1978 and again in 1980. He was elected to six Pro Bowl games, missing only once from 1974 through 1980. The NFL Players Association picked him as the best overall blocker in the NFL three straight years from 1976 to 1978″
Pro Football Hall of Fame

Ollie Matson - HB (1952-1958, 1959-1962 L.A, 1963 DET, 1964-1966 PHI)

An electrifying athlete who kept Defensive Coordinators busy game planning ways to contain him. Matson spent the majority of his career playing on relatively weak teams (only 2 of his 14 seasons was he on .500 or better team) making his 12,844 all purpose yards that more impressive. Matson was a triple threat back who once in open space was able to outrun any player on the field. Matson was such as a weapon that he was traded to the L.A. Rams in 1959 for 9 players.

Ernie Nevers - FB (1929-1931)

Nevers was a two way star in the early years of Pro Football.

Jackie Smith - TE (1963-1977, DAL 1978)

Retired as the NFL’s all time touchdown, reception, and yardage leader for the Tight End position. Smith was a very physical blocking TE who played in an incredible 121 straight games. Smithhad a knack for finding open spaces in the defense and used his soft hands, and speed to finish his Hall of Fame career with a 16.5 yard per reception average. Named to straight 5 Pro Bowls from 1967 until 1971.

Charley Trippi -HB/QB (1947-1955)

Great all-around athlete, played majority of career at the half-back position, but was used as the starting quarterback for 2 seasons and finished his career on the defensive side of the ball. Trippi was named to 2 Pro Bowls (1951, 1952) , and was a three time all-pro award winner (1947, 1948, and 1952). He was named to the NFL’s 1940’s All Decade team.

Roger Wehrli - CB (1969-1982)

Named to the NFL’s 1970’s All Decade team, Roger Wehrli played in seven Pro Bowls during his 12 year career. One of fastest corner backs of his era, he ran a blistering 4.5 in the 40. Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach considered Wehrli the best corner back he ever faced. Staubach reportedly coined the phrase “Shutdown Corner” when describing the coverage ability of Hall of Famer. Wehrli finished his career with 40 interceptions and 19 fumble recoveries.

Larry Wilson - FS (1960-1972)

Became a star in the NFL after he was moved from corner back to the free safety position. Wilson was named All-Pro eight times, he was also named to the NFL’s 75th anniversary team and the Sporting News 100 greatest football players list. Drafted in the seventhround of the 1960 draft, Larry Wilson played 12 seasons withthe Cardinals and finished his career with a team record 52 interceptions. Wilson’s toughness was legendary. He once intercepted a pass during a game while playing with a cast on both of his broken wrists, former Bears Coach Mike Ditka considered Larry Wilson one of toughest players to ever to play the game.

Other Cardinals Hall of Famers

John Driscoll - (Pre-NFL)
Charles Bidwell - (Owner)
Jimmy Conzelman - (Coach & Owner)

Current Stars

Larry Fitzgerald
Anquan Boldin
Matt Leinart
Tim Hightower
Darnell Dockett
Kurt Warner
Adrian Wilson
Antrel Rolle
Early Doucet
Steve Breaston
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Karlos Dansby

Notable Veterans

Ottis Anderson
David Boston
Jake Plummer
Lomas Brown
Larry Centers
John David Crow
Bobby Joe Conrad
Bob DeMarco
Conrad Dolber
Roy Green
Ken Gray
Bill Fischer
Jim Hart
Charley Johnson
E.J. Junior
Stump Mitchell
Bill Koman
MacArthur Lane
Neil Lomax
Ernie McMillan
Dale Meinert
Terry Metcalf
Rob Moore
Jim Otis
Johnny Olszewski
Sonny Randle
Simeon Rice
Johnny Roland
Luis Sharpe
Vai Sikahema
J.T Smith
Larry Stallings
Eic Swann
Pat Tilley
Aeneas Williams
Ron Wolfley
Bob Young
Elmer Angsman

2009 Draft picks

Chris “Beanie” Wells has a legitimate shot of becoming the opening day starter this season. He will compete for the vacancy left by the departure of Edgerrin James. Wells is a physical back who runs very well inside of the Tackles which is exactly the type of back the Coach Ken Wisenhunt likes to use in the running game. Wells has great vision and speed to break long runs once in an opponents backfield. Injuries slowed Wells last season and was a concern to many GM and is the reason he fell to the 31st pick of the first round. LB Cody Brown and S Rashad Johnson will add depth to the defensive side of the ball and will see plenty of time in the rotations at their respective positions. CB Gregory Toler and Herman Johnson are projects and probably are a season or two away from being starters at the NFL level.

Collector Outlook

The Cardinals will continue to be undervalued in the eyes of many hardcore collectors, which is great news for anyone searching for quality pieces. Higher end autographs, multi-color game used, low numbered inserts from Warner, Fitzgerald, and Boldin will continue to be in heavy demand for the foreseeable future. Up and coming players like Beanie Wells, Steve Breaston, and Tim Hightower look have to solid NFL futures ahead of them and should be a solid addition to any collection. Cardinal Hall of Famers and former stars are bargains right now, and quality pieces are available for any collector no matter the size of their collecting budget. And as the Cardinals improve into an annual contender, many collectors will start to realize that they have made a mistake in glossing over the former stars of the franchise.

Team Information

Super Bowl Appearances 1