Cardinal Hall of Fame

[danny l]

Things are slow right now kind of like hot stove league time in baseball. There have been some great Cardinal players over the years. If the Cardinals had a Ring of Honor who would you nominate? Some that I think would be great candidates would be: John David Crow ( the best Cardinal running back that I have seen), Larry Wilson, Sonny Randall (WR), Ernie McMillin (OT), Otis Anderson, Roger Wehrli, Bobby Joe Conrad, and Conrad Dobler.
Then there are some that deserve to be in just for their nicknames: Dick " Night Train" Lane, "Thunder" Thornton. Who do all of you think should be in the Cardinal Valhalla?

 

[slanidrac16]

Although I wasn't around yet, Guys like Charlie Trippi, Ollie Matson, Stan Mauldin, Ernie Nevers and Marshall Goldberg.

As far as players I have seen, my list would have to include Jim Bakken, Roy Green, and JIm Hart.

 

[MadBird]

What? no Dan Dierdorf - who is actually in the HOF ....

 

[BigRedMO]

In my opinion it has to start with the NFL HOFers. Aslo players voted to all decade teams by the NFL. Two tha I am aware of are Jim Bakken 60s and 70s and Roger Wehrli 70s.

 

[Brian]

Charlie Trippi, Larry Wilson, Dan Dierdorf, Neil Lomax (maybe), Aeneas Williams, Pat Tillman.

 

[danny l]

Another one of my favorites, Terry Metcalf. Bob Young, best guard but not the most recognizable from the 70's.

 

[Brian]

Tito Paul, Michael Stone, Leeland McElroy

 

[danny l]

Hall of Fame . Harley Rider , not Hall of Shame .

 

[BigJoe]

How about Jackie Smith?

It's kind of interesting to hear guys like Smith and Dierdorf (and others) talk about the Cards organization. A lot of the former St. Louis Cardinals are really disappointed in the Cardinals for not being more embracing of their former stars. It's like they moved to Arizona and disowned everything that came before that, from what these guys say.

 

[vince56]

Tito Paul, Michael Stone, Leeland McElroy

Don't forget Tevito Ofahengaue or whatever his name was (mr irrelevant).

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Don't forget Tevito Ofahengaue or whatever his name was (mr irrelevant).

I believe he went on to invent TIVO.

 

[danny l]

You are right about jackie Smith. I met him when I was about 15 and I was wowed, He changed the concept of tight end in the NFL.

 

[BigRedArk]

I could be mistaken but I think Dierdorf and Jackie Smith are in the Rams Ring of Honor. If I am right about this it sort of tempers my enthusiasm for them in the Cards Ring or HOF or whichever. I am probably making a mountain out of a molehill but it does influence my thinking somewhat. I don't know if they are the only ex-Cards in the Ram's Ring. There may be a few others (Wilson?).
I agree on John David Crow danny l. He was awesome!!! He an Ottis Anderson were the 2 best to ever wear Cardinal Red at the RB position. Also agree on Wilson, Randle, Conrad, Bakken, McMillen, Wehrli, Jim Hart and Roy Green. Not keen on the idea of Aeneas Williams.

 

[Twist18]

I think some unsung ones such as Curtis Greer, Pat Tilley, and Stump Mitchell.

 

[BigRedMO]

Why let the Rams steal the Cards history? Just because players who played in STL are honored there I see no reason not to honor them in AZ. I see no problem with players being in both rings.

 

[BigDavis75]

Larry Centers, come on guys.

 

[Buckybird]

I could be mistaken but I think Dierdorf and Jackie Smith are in the Rams Ring of Honor. If I am right about this it sort of tempers my enthusiasm for them in the Cards Ring or HOF or whichever. I am probably making a mountain out of a molehill but it does influence my thinking somewhat. I don't know if they are the only ex-Cards in the Ram's Ring. There may be a few others (Wilson?).
I agree on John David Crow danny l. He was awesome!!! He an Ottis Anderson were the 2 best to ever wear Cardinal Red at the RB position. Also agree on Wilson, Randle, Conrad, Bakken, McMillen, Wehrli, Jim Hart and Roy Green. Not keen on the idea of Aeneas Williams.

Not sure about Aeneas? Come on, this guy gave us some great moments in
Cardinal history and will go to the HOF as a Card.

 

[Syracusecards]

Tito Paul, Michael Stone, Leeland McElroy

You left out Anthony Redmon.

 

[BigRedMO]

No way will Williams chose to go in to HOF as a Cardinal. He played in a Super Bowl with the Rams. That is even if he makes it. Roger Wehrli who was on all decade team of the 70s did not make it although he was a finalist this year. I dont think Williams gets in. He was ready to quit football when he left the Cards. I thought he had maybe one or two seasons left the way he was talking. He is still playing. Playing for the Cards really took his enthusiasm away.

 

[BigRedArk]

BigRedMO

Why let the Rams steal the Cards history? Just because players who played in STL are honored there I see no reason not to honor them in AZ. I see no problem with players being in both rings.

I dunno MO, I am not forgiving of St Louis letting the Cards go. I am not a Bill Bidwill defender but the city really left him no choice but to leave town. He didn't want to build a new stadium in downtown St Louis and he was tired of being a second class citizen in Busch stadium. He had the audacity to want to build in Maryland Heights I believe. The gall of the man. Doesn't he know that downtown is sacred????? Lots of politics, plus Vince Schoemel wanted to run for governor and he was gonna do it via his scapegoat Bill Bidwill. The irony of it all is that it cost St Louis nearly twice as much to bring the Rams in as it would have to build Bidwill a stadium in the suburbs. I guess it was worth it they got a Super Bowl win out of it, but who knows maybe the Cards could have pulled off a Super Bowl win with a stadium where Bidwill wanted it???? Anyway because of all that I can no longer see the Cards except for one game a year when they come to St Louis to play the Rams. One game as opposed to the 8 that I would have been able to choose from. Dierdorf and Jackie Smith never talk about any of this as far as I know. I know it is all water under the bridge now but none of this may have happened had there been more civic leadership in St Louis at that time.
I do agree with you about A. Williams. He may not make it to the Pro Football HOF. I also forgot about Larry Centers. He should be in the Cards HOF.

 

[HookemCards]

No way will Williams chose to go in to HOF as a Cardinal. He played in a Super Bowl with the Rams. That is even if he makes it. Roger Wehrli who was on all decade team of the 70s did not make it although he was a finalist this year. I dont think Williams gets in. He was ready to quit football when he left the Cards. I thought he had maybe one or two seasons left the way he was talking. He is still playing. Playing for the Cards really took his enthusiasm away.

I'd be very surprised if Williams wasn't voted into the HOF. Maybe not first ballot, but shouldn't take too long. As far as him going in as a Ram or a Cardinal, at this point it should be as a Card, if he plays a couple more years for the Rams, then you may be right. He may not be in love with the Cardinal organization, but a man with his integrity will realize as a Cardinal he was possibly the best corner in the league for 7 or 8 years, as a Ram he's just an average safety. I guess we shall see, but if he choses to go in as a Ram, I will lose alot of respect for him.

 

[danny l]

Not many people remember that Pat Fisher - long time CB of the Washington Redskins - played his 1st 3-4 years as a Cardinal. That combination of Fisher and Wehrli were a pretty good CB combo. Maybe the best that I can remember.

 

[danny l]

Jim Hart over 20,000 yds passing. HOF definately. The FB of those 70's teams- Jim Otis - rushed for over 1000 yds I think twice. 4 yds and a cloud of dust. I think his longest run his best year was like 12 yds.