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Arizona Cardinals Jersey Countdown: History of No. 14

By Alexander Mann

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 08: J.J. Nelson #14 of the Arizona Cardinals fumbles the ball past the endzone for a touchback against Rodney McLeod #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on October 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 08: J.J. Nelson #14 of the Arizona Cardinals fumbles the ball past the endzone for a touchback against Rodney McLeod #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on October 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Finally. We have hit that 14 day mark between the 2019 NFL Draft and us. The Arizona Cardinals had Kyler Murray in the building yesterday, and he is widely speculated to be the Cardinals top pick. Or will he? It may be a smoke screen season after all.

We ended our countdown with No. 15 yesterday. Notable names were Michael Floyd, Steve Breaston, and Neil Lomax. Lomax is perhaps the best Cardinal to wear the jersey, while Breaston and Floyd are good players to have worn it. What will the 14 jersey have in store?

The most recent name to come into mind is J.J. Nelson. The speedster out of UAB was Bruce Arians guy to take the top off of opposing defenses, allowing guys like John Brown, Larry Fitzgerald, and Michael Floyd to do their damage without the threat of a safety.

Nelson’s most significant issue came with drops, and every fan knew it. When he signed with Oakland, my friend messaged me saying he couldn’t wait for the drops. So he is known by opposing fans for the same issue.

The first player to break out the jersey was Sam Etcheverry in 1961. Etcheverry joined the Cardinals at age 31, after leaving the Canadian Football League. He only spent two seasons with the team, posting a 5-8 record, 16 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. He joined the Cardinals at the age 31.

Etcheverry’s story is interesting. He had a good career in the CFL but ultimately decided to move to the NFL after being traded to the worst team in the league. Etcheverry was voted into the CFL Hall of Fame in 1969, and the University of Denver’s in 1996.

Ryan Lindley will earn some talking time, in large part due to how bad he was. Lindley holds a place in many fans hearts as the most inept quarterback the Cardinals have fielded, and honestly, that’s saying a lot. He posted a 1-5 record as a starter, throwing only two touchdowns to 11 interceptions, and averaged just 137 yards per game! In today’s NFL, that’s not good.

Then came the already mentioned JJ Nelson who garnered some respect back for the jersey, but not much. Right now, the recently signed Damiere Byrd is assigned the No. 14 jersey. Byrd is another speedster who could earn his way onto the roster depending on the Draft. Tomorrow we cover the No. 13 jersey, and perhaps the best player to wear an Arizona Cardinals jersey? Or maybe just a Cardinals jersey in general.

Next. Arizona Cardinals 7-round mock draft, including one massive trade. dark

We will continue our countdown every day until the draft starts. So stick with Raising Zona as we cover all your draft needs.

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