Raising Zona
FanSided

Top five Arizona Cardinals you forgot about

By Aarron Van Buren

ST. LOUIS, MO - CIRCA 1984: Stump Mitchell #30 of the St. Louis Cardinals carries the ball during an NFL football game circa 1984 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. Mitchell played for the Cardinals from 1981-89. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - CIRCA 1984: Stump Mitchell #30 of the St. Louis Cardinals carries the ball during an NFL football game circa 1984 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. Mitchell played for the Cardinals from 1981-89. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1987: Stump Mitchell #30 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on from the bench during an NFL football game circa 1987. Mitchell played for the Cardinals from 1981-89. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1987: Stump Mitchell #30 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on from the bench during an NFL football game circa 1987. Mitchell played for the Cardinals from 1981-89. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

With one of the greatest names of all time, Stump Mitchell was one of the featured players of the 80’s for the St.Louis/Phoenix Cardinals. The first on our list of the top five forgotten Arizona Cardinals was arguably the teams’ best overall utility threat of all time, Mitchell established the following records:

  • 11,988 All-purpose yards
  • 4,649 rushing yards, second in team history behind Ottis Anderson (7,999)
  • Tied for league-leading 5.5 YPA with Green Bay’s Gerry Ellis in 1985
  • Led league in kickoff return yards in 1981, with 1,292

Mitchell eventually came back to the team to help coach the running backs in 2013, and helped guys like Andre Ellington, Stepfan Taylor and David Johnson excel to the best of their abilities. After a short stint with Todd Bowles and the New York Jets, Mitchell landed with the Cleveland Browns. And seeing Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb light it up for them is the one of the reasons they’re in the playoffs.

Additionally included on his list of running backs he has had success with are Shaun Alexander’s record setting season, and Clinton Portis who had a few 1,000 yard seasons with Mitchell as his position coach. No matter where he goes, he is able to get the best out of his players and while we’re happy for his success, I’d love to have him back in the desert- especially with Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins around.

Home/Cardinals All-Time Lists