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Cardinals At A Glance

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 31, 2009

Five Funky Facts

1. People might think Green Bay or Chicago is the oldest pro football franchise, but the Cardinals were founded in 1898 and in 1920 became a charter member of the National Football League, known then as the American Professional Football Association. The Cardinals are America's oldest professional football franchise still in existence.

2. The Cardinals were once rejected by two future standout athletes. Quarterback Joe Namath was a first-round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1965, but he signed with the New York Jets of the rival AFL. Kirk Gibson was drafted by the Cardinals as a receiver in 1979 but played baseball instead.

3. Arizona is enjoying a successful season, but this is a rarity for the franchise. The team's overall record is 473-674-39, giving the Cardinals the most losses of any NFL squad.

4. There is a good reason Larry Fitzgerald has such long hair. On April 10, 2003, his mother, Carol, died of a brain hemorrhage while battling brain cancer. His mother always loved his hair, which is why he lets it grow: "Every time I look at myself in the mirror, she comes to mind. When I wake up in the morning and when I brush my teeth at night, she comes to mind."

5. Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt is not only a successful football coach, but a strong golfer. Whisenhunt shot an even-par round while playing from the pro tees at Augusta National Golf Club.

Inside The Huddle With ... Defensive End Bertrand Berry

Arizona's 6-foot-3, 260-pound defensive end, an 11-year pro from Notre Dame, provides some insight and little-known facts about the 10 players with whom he shares the Cardinals' defensive huddle.

1. Antonio Smith, Left Defensive Tackle

"He's a big kid. He's very young at heart. He's a very competitive person."

2. Bryan Robinson, Nose Tackle

"He's a consummate pro. He shows up, does his job and goes home. You always know what you're going to get from B.R."

3. Darnell Dockett, Under Tackle

"He's a lightning rod. He's full of personality, full of energy. He's one of those guys who is very excitable. He gets everyone else going."

4. Chike Okeafor, Strongside Linebacker

"He's a very serene, thoughtful guy. He's very meticulous, very methodical. He has a calm about him on the field that most people just can't play with."

5. Gerald Hayes, Middle Linebacker

"He's an East Coast guy to his heart. He has that Jersey mentality. He's a tough guy and he doesn't take anything from anybody. More times than not you'll see him with a New York Yankees hat on or, any day of the week, he'll have the Timberland boots on. He's been in Arizona his whole career, but he's an East Coast guy to his heart."

6. Karlos Dansby, Weakside Linebacker

"He's a freak, but in a good way. He's very athletic. He's tall. He's just an all-around great football player."

7. Roderick Hood, Left Cornerback

"He's one of those guys who is a great guy. He's a great friend. He's a very humble guy. A lot of people see him out on the field and cornerbacks play with a certain swagger, but away from football, he's one of the most humble, quietest guys you'll ever meet."

8. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Right Cornerback

"DRC. A Tampa area native. DRC is the epitome of youth. Excitement. He doesn't know what he doesn't know yet. Tremendous amount of talent."

9. Adrian Wilson, Strong Safety

"He's the quietest guy. He doesn't say much, but his play speaks pretty loudly."

10. Antrel Rolle, Free Safety

"Trel is a Miami guy and he's all about swagger. He's got the style, he's got the flash, but he also has the game to go with it all."

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