Cards All Time Top 5 Draft Picks

[Tangodnzr]

This was brought up on another thread. I moved my answer to here. I based my picks on my personal records which only go back to 1982.
I gotta say 1991 was a helluva year.
I also think Big might eventully make it, but its too soon yet to tell for sure.

1 - Eric Swann - 1991
2 - Aeneas Williams - 1991 (3rd round)
3 - Eric Hill - 1989
4 - Tim McDonald - 1987
5 - Louis Sharpe - 1982

Agree? Disagree?

Also a couple of other little tidbits:
Tootie Robbins was also drafted in 1982 with Sharpe, another good year, I'd say.

1998 - Wadsworth, Clement, Pittman, Tillman
1997 - Knight, Plummer, Dishman, Mark Smith

For those who bad mouth Tobin....those two years were not exactly the worst drafts the Cards ever had.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Originally posted by Tangodnzr


1998 - Wadsworth, Clement, Pittman, Tillman
1997 - Knight, Plummer, Dishman, Mark Smith

For those who bad mouth Tobin....those two years were not exactly the worst drafts the Cards ever had.

Right - let's see - 1998 - Wadsworth never lived up to his hype his first year and into his second year before injuires destroyed his career. Clement has been a decent T, yet injury prone and no gang-buster, Pittman is a journeyman back who had one great game in the Super Bowl but has been largely ineffective besides that (oh and his first pro start v. Detriot) and Tillman (God Bless him for his patriotism) who was the most overated slow safety the league has seen for a long time.

1997 - let's see: Tommy Knight - at 9 - arguably one of the worst picks I have ver seen. This guy never made aplay and was always four yards off the receiver, if not four yeards behind him - Jake - let's not go there, Dishman - a back-up (a good back-up at that - but a back-up nonetheless) - Mark Smith - a guy who had all the tools and may as well be flipping burgers at Macdonalds(although he'd be the richest flipper in the world) And let's see - if that was 1997 and 1998 - if those drafts were successful -shouldn't there be SOME STARTERS LEFT ON THE TEAM AND IN THEIR PRIME BY NOW? You can say Clement - but when was the last time that guy played 16 games? Just don't agree with the logic of that post.

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

I would have to disagree about '97...

Here's a run down of 1997:

1st round (#9)-Tom Knight, DB, Iowa (Injuries killed his career before it started!)
2nd round (#42)-Jake Plummer, QB, ASU (he broke our hearts!)
3rd round (#84)-Ty Howard, DB, Ohio State (DUD!)
4th round (#106)-Chris Disman, OL, Nebraska (Ok, I guess... I'm not a big fan of his...definately the cream of this pittiful crop!)
5th round (#139)-Chad Carpenter, WR, Washington State (Before Sullivan's time, would have become a #1 reciever if given the time!)
6th round (#175)-Rod Brown, RB, NC State (who?)
6th round (#188}-Tony McCombs, LB, E, Kentucky (WTF?)
7th round (#212)-Mark Smith, DT, Auburn (had all the tools until Swanny got into his head!)

There you have it, the Cardinals worst draft (in my opinion) that I can remember...

 

[Cheesebeef]

Is this thread a Talent thread or best for the team - regardless of how our management either alienated those players or how those players were jerks?

Talent wise - Best pick since I've been watching

1. Aeneas - no doubt in my mind. 3dr round pick and a sure-fire HOFer - also a class act - got tired of organization and threatened to retire if we didn't trade him.

Other Picks - Talent wise:
Simeon Rice - most dominant DE in the game right now - no one can get to the QB like he can - however, he's a jackass and we couldn't field a team to make him happy -so he became even more of a jackass
Jamir Miller - 9 or 10th Pick - A stud LB - played with injuries, had blazing speed, and can rush the passer - the leader of the Defense - but him and managment saw differnt things and he was gone.
David Boston - undeniable talent - won't go into whole thing here.
Tim MacDonald - Awesome leader - one of top three Safeties in the game when he left

anyone noticing a trend here? We need to start keeping the draft picks that actually DO PAN OUT!

 

[Tangodnzr]

Well Velveeta Chicken, ( I'm gonna call you VC for short from now on.) I guess that depends on exactly how you define making a good draft pick.
Granted in my choosing the 5 all-time picks, I used the criteria of what was the overall long term contribution of the player.
In the case of 1997 and 1998...yes not all those guys turned out to be great in the long run....but they also made some decent contributions to the team while they were here.
My point in regard to those picks is that at the time they were made from a talent-wise aspect....they weren't too bad.
You can't forsee injuries. That crippled Wadsworth. The injury bug was Knight's downfall too, when he was healthy he was a good CB.
The rest of your comments about the others seem more just sour grapes on your part than anything.
I didn't say they were the greatest drafts of all time, but they certainly weren't the worst either.
Take your negativity and hit the road ....jack_ _ _.
You always seem to go out of your way to criticise....it really does get old and boring.

 

[PACardsFan]

Unfortunately, the Cardinals have SUCKED ever since they moved to AZ. It's God getting even with them for having left their true home in St. Louis. You have to go back to their roots to identify their best drafts. I don't have access to exact years, but a few great draft picks would have to include: Neil Lomax (I believe a 2nd rounder), Roy Green, Jackie Smith, Dan Dierdorf, Jim Hart, Mel Gray, Larry Wilson (Greatest Cardinal of all time), Roger Wehrli, JV Cain (Died in training camp, late 70's, but was a future star), Terry Metcalf (Instant O). With the exception of Aeneas, no other AZ Cardinal draft choice since 88 fits into this category of great players.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Originally posted by PACardsFan
Unfortunately, the Cardinals have SUCKED ever since they moved to AZ. It's God getting even with them for having left their true home in St. Louis. You have to go back to their roots to identify their best drafts. I don't have access to exact years, but a few great draft picks would have to include: Neil Lomax (I believe a 2nd rounder), Roy Green, Jackie Smith, Dan Dierdorf, Jim Hart, Mel Gray, Larry Wilson (Greatest Cardinal of all time), Roger Wehrli, JV Cain (Died in training camp, late 70's, but was a future star), Terry Metcalf (Instant O). With the exception of Aeneas, no other AZ Cardinal draft choice since 88 fits into this category of great players.

I would have to disagree slightly with the last sentence....Eric Swann was a great player, but injuries derailed him.

 

[Tangodnzr]

Ken. for you to say that the '97 draft was the worst ever, tells me you either don't know much Cardinal history or you have a very closed mind.

For example:
1984:
1 - Clyde Duncan- WR
2 - Doug Dawson - *
3 - Choice to San Francisco
3 - Rick McIvor - QB (from SF)
4 - Martin Bayless- DB
5 - Jeff Leiding - LB
5 - John Goode - TE (from SF)
6 - Rod Clark - LB
7 - Quentin Walker - RB
8 - Falaniko (Niko) Noga - LB
9 - Bob Paulling - K
10 - Mark Smythe - DT
11 - Kyle Mackey - QB
12 - Paul Parker - *

Now THAT is what I would term a less than desirable draft.
Even taken into consideration the higher number of rounds.
Easily the best pick there was Noga, and under todays draft...he would never have been even drafted. 1997 was certainly better than thi.....by a long shot.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Originally posted by Tangodnzr
Well Velveeta Chicken, ( I'm gonna call you VC for short from now on.) I guess that depends on exactly how you define making a good draft pick.
Granted in my choosing the 5 all-time picks, I used the criteria of what was the overall long term contribution of the player.
In the case of 1997 and 1998...yes not all those guys turned out to be great in the long run....but they also made some decent contributions to the team while they were here.
My point in regard to those picks is that at the time they were made from a talent-wise aspect....they weren't too bad.
You can't forsee injuries. That crippled Wadsworth. The injury bug was Knight's downfall too, when he was healthy he was a good CB.
The rest of your comments about the others seem more just sour grapes on your part than anything.
I didn't say they were the greatest drafts of all time, but they certainly weren't the worst either.
Take your negativity and hit the road ....jack_ _ _.
You always seem to go out of your way to criticise....it really does get old and boring.

The fact that you believe Tom Knight - when healthy -was a good CB says it all to me Tango - you have zero objectivity when it comes down to the Cardinals - everyone thought he was drafted to high and even when healthy - he stunk and you know it and everyone else and their grandmothers know it. The guy couldn't play with a hang-nail and when he could, the man was torched all over the field. Name me one time Knight made a play on the ball and had a pick - not a ball that was tipped mind you - but a time where he read the QB's eyes and jumped on a route - know why you can't - the guy only had something like 4 picks his entire career - and that was with balls constantly being thrown at him in order to avoid Aeneas! More often than not he was either four yards behind the guy giving up the 15 yard corssing route or 2 yards behind him on a 50 yard bomb. I mean what other top ten pick could get beaten out by Corey Chavous - who also couldn't play CB and was always much more betted suited for Saftey.

Also - shouldn't a draft be measured by the long-term success a team has because of their draft picks? Is there a reason why you ignored all of my points and just decided to focus on the negative? Maybe it's because my answers have no retort and well, you wouldn't want to look foolish now would you?

Frankly - you posed a question and I answered it - Hell, I even asked for a clarification on the question - and then I decided to place what I thought were the players that made the most impact on the Cards. What do I get for it? I get called a jackass and was told to leave. Awful Nazi of you - You can't tell me the alarming amount of Talent that has left this team over the years isn't something to comment on - I put both good and bad into my take - unfortunately you can't, nor will ever do the same.

Sorry about the criticism, but when someone says Tom Knight was a good corner - (and it's obviously done so only to justify their argument) they're just asking to be flamed.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Originally posted by Tangodnzr
Well Velveeta Chicken, ( I'm gonna call you VC for short from now on.) I guess that depends on exactly how you define making a good draft pick.
Granted in my choosing the 5 all-time picks, I used the criteria of what was the overall long term contribution of the player.
In the case of 1997 and 1998...yes not all those guys turned out to be great in the long run....but they also made some decent contributions to the team while they were here.
My point in regard to those picks is that at the time they were made from a talent-wise aspect....they weren't too bad.
You can't forsee injuries. That crippled Wadsworth. The injury bug was Knight's downfall too, when he was healthy he was a good CB.
The rest of your comments about the others seem more just sour grapes on your part than anything.
I didn't say they were the greatest drafts of all time, but they certainly weren't the worst either.
Take your negativity and hit the road ....jack_ _ _.
You always seem to go out of your way to criticise....it really does get old and boring.

by the way - don't bring up Chicken - you really don't want to unleash that beast. By the way - you asked for the top five players drafted - I gave you mine - it's not my fault they all left.

 

[Tangodnzr]

Originally posted by cheesebeef
The fact that you believe Tom Knight - when healthy -was a good CB says it all to me Tango - you have zero objectivity when it comes down to the Cardinals - everyone thought he was drafted to high and even when healthy - he stunk and you know it and everyone else and their grandmothers know it. The guy couldn't play with a hang-nail and when he could, the man was torched all over the field. Name me one time Knight made a play on the ball and had a pick - not a ball that was tipped mind you - but a time where he read the QB's eyes and jumped on a route - know why you can't - the guy only had something like 4 picks his entire career - and that was with balls constantly being thrown at him in order to avoid Aeneas! More often than not he was either four yards behind the guy giving up the 15 yard corssing route or 2 yards behind him on a 50 yard bomb. I mean what other top ten pick could get beaten out by Corey Chavous - who also couldn't play CB and was always much more betted suited for Saftey.

Also - shouldn't a draft be measured by the long-term success a team has because of their draft picks? Is there a reason why you ignored all of my points and just decided to focus on the negative? Maybe it's because my answers have no retort and well, you wouldn't want to look foolish now would you?

Frankly - you posed a question and I answered it - Hell, I even asked for a clarification on the question - and then I decided to place what I thought were the players that made the most impact on the Cards. What do I get for it? I get called a jackass and was told to leave. Awful Nazi of you - You can't tell me the alarming amount of Talent that has left this team over the years isn't something to comment on - I put both good and bad into my take - unfortunately you can't, nor will ever do the same.

Sorry about the criticism, but when someone says Tom Knight was a good corner - (and it's obviously done so only to justify their argument) they're just asking to be flamed.

Hey VC, grow up.
I started a thread here simply asking for people's thoughts on what they felt the top 5 picks were. Along the way I added a couple of little "tidbits"...a comment on noticing the 97 and 98 draft....all I said was it wasn't the worst draft ever and made a reference to Tobin, as there have been times in the past when a few people, dissed him for everything he did including accusing him of terrible drafts.
I haven't commented on your 5 picks. I don't necessarily agree with them. But I didn't expect others to totally do so. Yet you turn it into a focus on Tom Knight, etc, etc, etc.
You think he stunk... that's your opinion. I'm not here to be a Tom Knight apologist or get in some petty arguement with you about it. Truth be known....I don't really respect a whole lot of your opinions and behavior here much at all.
You have a nauseating tendancy to disrespect a lot of other people....and I'm not talking about me. You do it to a lot of others. So spare us all your childish rants.

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

Originally posted by Tangodnzr
Ken. for you to say that the '97 draft was the worst ever, tells me you either don't know much Cardinal history or you have a very closed mind.

For example:
1984:
1 - Clyde Duncan- WR
2 - Doug Dawson - *
3 - Choice to San Francisco
3 - Rick McIvor - QB (from SF)
4 - Martin Bayless- DB
5 - Jeff Leiding - LB
5 - John Goode - TE (from SF)
6 - Rod Clark - LB
7 - Quentin Walker - RB
8 - Falaniko (Niko) Noga - LB
9 - Bob Paulling - K
10 - Mark Smythe - DT
11 - Kyle Mackey - QB
12 - Paul Parker - *

Now THAT is what I would term a less than desirable draft.
Even taken into consideration the higher number of rounds.
Easily the best pick there was Noga, and under todays draft...he would never have been even drafted. 1997 was certainly better than thi.....by a long shot.

Perhaps I should have prefaced my opinion by saying I didn't start following the Cards until I moved here in '96. I haven't followed them since their days in Chicago, nor do I personally remember their last NFL championship in '47, so I must give you you're props there (but I'll put my LA Rams knowledge up to anyone's Pepsi challenge).

As for Tobin, I feel that he fell into the classic trap of being a bit too understated in public, giving the impression that he had no heart or fire. Stack his record against the more vocal Coach Mac's...'nuf said on that...

That '84 draft draft looks quite bad, but I will stack up Niko Noga's talent against Dishman's any day of the week.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Originally posted by Tangodnzr
Hey VC, grow up.
I started a thread here simply asking for people's thoughts on what they felt the top 5 picks were. Along the way I added a couple of little "tidbits"...a comment on noticing the 97 and 98 draft....all I said was it wasn't the worst draft ever and made a reference to Tobin, as there have been times in the past when a few people, dissed him for everything he did including accusing him of terrible drafts.
I haven't commented on your 5 picks. I don't necessarily agree with them. But I didn't expect others to totally do so. Yet you turn it into a focus on Tom Knight, etc, etc, etc.
You think he stunk... that's your opinion. I'm not here to be a Tom Knight apologist or get in some petty arguement with you about it. Truth be known....I don't really respect a whole lot of your opinions and behavior here much at all.
You have a nauseating tendancy to disrespect a lot of other people....and I'm not talking about me. You do it to a lot of others. So spare us all your childish rants.

I'm sorry if you take a disagreement on what you said as "criticism" - but I seem to remember you asking people to Agree or Disagree - Correct? I disagreed and gave my reasons why I did so with my first post. In my next post, I brought up my own top 5 picks - don't really see anything too antagonizing there either - but I guess if I don't agree with Tango - I am being a jerk and deserve to be called names. Look, man if you are gonna open up the floor for discussion on a topic, you better have thick skin - especially if you invite people to agree or disagree. Ask yourself this, would a fair-minded person ask one who disagrees with him to leave - that seems a bit childish to me - and not only that, but call him a "Jackass" as well.

The funny thing is I know this about myself as far as upsetting other people and I will admit that my style/pessimistic nature will ruffle some feathers - what really makes me laugh - is that you don't realize that you are looked at the exact same way - weren't you the one who was actually banned for a period of time? you are a hypocrite and a very sad, sad man who calls people names -Tom Knight a good corner - I'm still rolling over that one!

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

Originally posted by cheesebeef
- weren't you the one who was actually banned for a period of time? you are a hypocrite and a very sad, sad man who calls people names -

Say it ain't so Tango! You were banned at one time? And I thought you were only a prick with me?!?

 

[Cheesebeef]

Originally posted by Cardinals.Ken
Say it ain't so Tango! You were banned at one time? And I thought you were only a prick with me?!?

Tango's a prick to people? I thought it was just me! Damnit!

 

[SeattleCard]

Best player ever

I got one thing to say. How could you guys forget about one of the best picks we made in all the 1990's? A true sleeper and dandy of a pick: Leeland McElroy.

 

[john h]

Originally posted by Tangodnzr
This was brought up on another thread. I moved my answer to here. I based my picks on my personal records which only go back to 1982.
I gotta say 1991 was a helluva year.
I also think Big might eventully make it, but its too soon yet to tell for sure.

1 - Eric Swann - 1991
2 - Aeneas Williams - 1991 (3rd round)
3 - Eric Hill - 1989
4 - Tim McDonald - 1987
5 - Louis Sharpe - 1982

Agree? Disagree?

Also a couple of other little tidbits:
Tootie Robbins was also drafted in 1982 with Sharpe, another good year, I'd say.

1998 - Wadsworth, Clement, Pittman, Tillman
1997 - Knight, Plummer, Dishman, Mark Smith

My all time first round pick would be Charlie Trippi. We went on to win a NLF Championship with him.

For those who bad mouth Tobin....those two years were not exactly the worst drafts the Cards ever had.

 

[SECTION 11]

Originally posted by Tangodnzr
1 - Eric Swann - 1991
2 - Aeneas Williams - 1991 (3rd round)
3 - Eric Hill - 1989
4 - Tim McDonald - 1987
5 - Louis Sharpe - 1982

Agree? Disagree?

In the Arizona years, which is really the only times I've followed the Cards, I WOULD say Aeneas. But a player who threatens retirement rather than play for his team pretty much blows that pick up. Seriously.
If anything the Aeneas pick would have to be graded Incomplete at best.

Michael Irvin. Aikman. Marino. Terrell Davis. Junior Seau. Michael Strahan. Shannon Sharpe, etc. Those were great draft picks.

If Eric Swann is the Cardinals' best addition to the NFL's all time great draft picks, then we are truly just absolutely pathetic come April. He had I think two Pro-Bowls?

This is depressing.

 

[Tangodnzr]

Section 11,
Before Swann got injured and "got religion" he had become the single most dominant DT in the game. He was awesome. There wasn't a team in the NFL that consistantly contain him.

Yes, his career got shortened by injuries, but that still doesn't diminish the incredible talent he was. By your reasoning I guess Gayle Sayers would be dogmeat too.

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

Originally posted by Tangodnzr
Section 11,
Before Swann got injured and "got religion" he had become the single most dominant DT in the game. He was awesome. There wasn't a team in the NFL that consistantly contain him.

Yes, his career got shortened by injuries, but that still doesn't diminish the incredible talent he was. By your reasoning I guess Gayle Sayers would be dogmeat too.

I have to agree with Tango on this one...no one, and I mean no one I ever remember watching play had the abillity to take over the line-of-scrimmage the way that Swanny could...there were times that I thought they opposing team should have issued Swanny one of their jerseys since he was spending all his time in their back field as it was...too sad that his knees couldn't withstand the contant cheap shot high-lowing and chop blocks that someone of his caliber has to absorb every play of every game...

 

[SECTION 11]

Originally posted by Tangodnzr
By your reasoning I guess Gayle Sayers would be dogmeat too.

Uh, no. Sayers was a completely different case. He was a five time pro-bowler and his short career landed him in the Hall of Fame.

Swann doesn't even belong in the same sentence.

 

[SECTION 11]

Originally posted by Cardinals.Ken
I have to agree with Tango on this one...no one, and I mean no one I ever remember watching play had the abillity to take over the line-of-scrimmage the way that Swanny could...there were times that I thought they opposing team should have issued Swanny one of their jerseys since he was spending all his time in their back field as it was...too sad that his knees couldn't withstand the contant cheap shot high-lowing and chop blocks that someone of his caliber has to absorb every play of every game...

I was as big a fan of Swann's as anyone. And yeah, that game against the Bears reminded my of Derrick Thomas' last bowl game at Alabama, but is this really the best Cardinal draft pick ever? I hope not.

 

[Ed B]

Roy Green was the single best Cardinal draft pick.

Here's a <b>defensive back</b> picked in the middle rounds who ends up being an offensive threat who carries the team for 8 years.

 

[SunCityCarl]

I'm not near the draftnik most of you guys are but I'll put in here...

Larry Wilson (Mr. Cardinal if you will)

Dan Dierdorf

Aeneus Williams

Tim McDonald

Larry Centers (Mr. Arizona Cardinal)

Thats 5!

Honorable mention..

Eric Hill
Jamir Miller
Eric Swann

Joe Willie Namath & Kelly Stouffer

 

[SECTION 11]

How about Ottis Anderson?