Arizona Cardinals: 50 best players since move to desert

Nov 30, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of an Arizona Cardinals helmet on the sidelines before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

15. Roy Green

Roy Green played for the Cardinals organization for the first 12 of his 14 seasons, including three in Arizona from 1988-1990.  During those three seasons, Green caught 165 passes for 2,597 yards and 18 touchdowns.  He spent two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles after he left Arizona but his last touchdown catch was in 1990 with the Cardinals, after scoring 66 for his career overall.

14. Marcel Shipp

Shipp played six seasons for the Cardinals from 2001-2007.  It was his contributions though in 2002, 2003, and 2005 that to me earned him this spot.  He missed the 2004 season.  He rushed for over 800 yards in 2002 and 2003.  He scored 11 touchdowns in his career but it was his hard running and competitiveness that had Cardinals fans smiling during a time there wasn’t a lot to smile about in the Cardinals offense.

13. Simeon Rice

No doubt one of the best defensive linemen to play the game. He spent his first five seasons in Arizona.  He had 51.5 sacks in those five seasons.  Fans loved watching him but when he called Arizona the “armpit of the NFL”, it was a stab in the back.  The Cardinals treated him well but he didn’t like it here.  It wasn’t enough for me to ignore him but enough to not put him in the top 10.  I’ve said time and time again part of what makes you great is character.  That’s a big reason why Pat Tillman was ranked so high.

12. Clyde Simmons

He had just two seasons in Arizona in 1994-1995 during the Buddy Ryan era but he had 17 sacks during that time.  He was dominant and had brought that with him from Philadelphia.  He finished with 121.5 sacks in his career.

11. Tim McDonald

He had 20 interceptions in his five seasons in the desert.  He spent his first six seasons in the NFL with the Cardinals organization, the last five from 1988-1992 in Arizona before going to the San Francisco 49ers.

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