Jan 27, 2013, Honolulu, HI, USA; Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) stiff arms Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston (50) in the 2013 Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium. The NFC defeated the AFC 62-25. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
In a recent article I listed my top five greatest Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals of all time. Mentioning I did not want to analyze the players before they moved to Arizona. Suggesting that I didn’t think it would give due justice for me to analyze or judge the greats from that time.
My reasoning is that I was neither old enough nor alive to watch play to give a fair assessment of the former Cardinal greats of that era. Furthermore, the Cardinals have been in existence since 1920. So it would be incredibly difficult and unfair for me to select the best player of all-time.
Therefore, I will leave the greatest player of all-time argument for the fans that can truly appreciate them. Or should I say, for the Cardinal fans that were lucky enough to have had the good fortune to watch them play.
So for those (readers) that happened to read my previous article, I probably better not change my number one greatest Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals of all-time selection. After all it may very-well not go over to well with some of you (with a chuckle).
My bottom line greatest Phoenix/Arizona Cardinal of all-time therefore remains to be the great Larry Fitzgerald. We all were lucky enough to see (cardinal fans) how great he was during their Super Bowl Run (2008-2009).
Thanks to the great Kurt Warner, he allowed Fitzgerald to flourish during that amazing playoff run. Setting a single postseason record with 546 receiving yards, 30 receptions, and 7 touchdown receptions; surpassing probably the greatest receiver of all time in Jerry Rice.
Fitzgerald has truly been a consistent performer throughout his marvelous career. Although his numbers have been terrific, Cardinals fans can only imagine how special his numbers might have been with the likes of Warner at the helm throughout his career.
If Warner would have played with the Cardinals throughout his career, we may have a serious argument between him and Fitzgerald.
Honorable mention: (2) Kurt Warner; (3) Aeneas Williams; (4) Adrian Wilson; (5) Anquan Boldin and Larry Centers. Along with Darnell Dockett, Roy Green amongst many others.
Much appreciation to the former greats which I did not have the good fortune to watch play: Dan Dierdorf, Larry Wilson, Dick “Night Train” Lane, Charley Trippi, Jackie Smith, Jim Hart and Neil Lomax amongst so many others.
Current Cardinals watch list: Patrick Peterson, Calais Campbell and Darrell Washington.
With special recognition to non-other Pat Tillman. He is in all our hearts.