- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,193,887
- Reaction score
- 59
We continue the countdown to the start of the Arizona Cardinals' regular season. Today, Thursday, July 2, is 73 days away from the Arizona Cardinals' regular-season opener on Sept. 13 on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers.
With 73 days until Week 1, let's look back at the 1973 season for the Cardinals.
The 1973 season was the first for Don Coryell as head coach. He would lead them to three seasons of at least 10 wins and two playoff berths, but the Cardinals went 4-9-1 in that first season in 1973. They had two four-game losing streaks.
They averaged 20.4 points per game, but allowing 26.1 points per game, they ranked 23rd of 26 teams.
The Cardinals had no players earn individual honors — no Pro Bowls, no All-Pros.
Jim Hart started 12 of the 14 games at quarterback, passing for 2,223 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Donny Anderson was the Cardinals' leading rusher and offensive player. He had 679 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He caught 41 passes (tied for the team lead with tight end Jackie Smith) for 409 yards and three scores, a total of 1,088 total yards from scrimmage with a team-high 13 touchdowns.
Terry Metcalf had 944 total offensive yards with 628 on the ground and another 316 on 37 receptions.
Smith had 41 catches for a team-leading 600 yards, while Mel Gray's seven touchdown receptions led the team.
The defense had only 10 interceptions total, with no one picking off more than two.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: 73 days till Arizona Cardinals' opener: Remembering the 1973 season
Continue reading...
With 73 days until Week 1, let's look back at the 1973 season for the Cardinals.
A look back at the 1973 season for the Cardinals
The 1973 season was the first for Don Coryell as head coach. He would lead them to three seasons of at least 10 wins and two playoff berths, but the Cardinals went 4-9-1 in that first season in 1973. They had two four-game losing streaks.
They averaged 20.4 points per game, but allowing 26.1 points per game, they ranked 23rd of 26 teams.
1973 honors and leaders
The Cardinals had no players earn individual honors — no Pro Bowls, no All-Pros.
Jim Hart started 12 of the 14 games at quarterback, passing for 2,223 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Donny Anderson was the Cardinals' leading rusher and offensive player. He had 679 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He caught 41 passes (tied for the team lead with tight end Jackie Smith) for 409 yards and three scores, a total of 1,088 total yards from scrimmage with a team-high 13 touchdowns.
Terry Metcalf had 944 total offensive yards with 628 on the ground and another 316 on 37 receptions.
Smith had 41 catches for a team-leading 600 yards, while Mel Gray's seven touchdown receptions led the team.
The defense had only 10 interceptions total, with no one picking off more than two.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: 73 days till Arizona Cardinals' opener: Remembering the 1973 season
Continue reading...
