George Boone Passes Away

[NJCardFan]

Former Cards director of player personnel from 1973-1991. http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2016/01/22/longtime-arizona-cardinals-personnel-executive-george-boone-dies/79191926/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=

 

[pemory09]

Former Cards director of player personnel from 1973-1991. http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2016/01/22/longtime-arizona-cardinals-personnel-executive-george-boone-dies/79191926/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=

Thank you for posting this. I recall his name from back in the days when they were struggling so, but did not realize he was with the organization during the Air Coryell years.

 

[Mitch]

I am saddened to hear of George Boone's passing. The day after the 1989 NFL Draft I was starving for info about George Boone's picks: (here are the first 6)

1A. Eric Hill, LB, LSU
1B. Joe Wolf, T, Boston College
2. Walter Reeves, TE, Auburn
3. Mike Zandofsky, G, Washington
4. Jim Wahler, NT, UCLA
5. Richard Tardits, OLB, Georgia

In those days it was very difficult to get any added info other than from Mel Kiper's Blue Book...so I took a chance. I called the Cardinals' headquarters and asked to speak with George Boone. I said I was an NFC East beat writer for the Boston Herald and that I was doing an article on the draft.

Much to my amazement, a couple of seconds later, there was George Boone on the phone! "What can I do for you?" he asked.

I figured I would have five minutes with him at the most---so i started asking questions fast and furiously. "Slow down," he said. "One question at a time." "I am happy to answer your questions," he said.

Honest to goodness, we were on the phone for 45 minutes. He offered his thoughts on every one of the Cardinals' 13 draft picks (the draft was 12 rounds back then). I remember how high he was on Hill, Wolf and Reeves, but he said that G Mike Zandofsky was his prized pick of the draft. He spent 10 minutes telling me how long and closely they scouted him---and he was gushing that he was able to take him in the third round. He also gushed about OLB Richard Tardits' speed and athleticism and about taking CB Jay Taylor of San Jose St. in the 6th round.

In the following two years (his last two years as Cardinals' GM) Boone drafted WR Ricky Proehl, FB Larry Centers, RB Johnny Johnson, DT Eric Swann, DE Mike Jones and HOF CB Aeneas Williams.

George Boone was roundly criticized as a GM---but I can tell you from talking to him for those 45 minutes, the man was diligent, passionate and well-prepared. And he was willing to spend 45 minutes the day after the draft talking about his draft picks to a supposed NFC East beat writer from Boston.

I will always cherish that conversation.

His last words to me were---"Please send me your article." Of course, I lied and assured him I would.

RIP George Boone. May every day be draft day for you in heaven!

 

[NJCardFan]

My only knock on him was Clyde Duncan but you're right. He found a few diamonds in the rough.

 

[Garthshort]

Mitch, excuse my failing memory but while I do remember the name of OG, Max Zandofsky, I don't remember what kind of career he had. Could you help? Thanks.

May George RIP.

 

[Mitch]

Mitch, excuse my failing memory but while I do remember the name of OG, Max Zandofsky, I don't remember what kind of career he had. Could you help? Thanks.

May George RIP.

Mike Zandofsky played in 118 games...only 4 for the Cardinals as a rookie before being shipped to San Diego the next year.

Per Wikipedia:

He was drafted in the 1989 NFL Draft in the third round (67th overall) by the Arizona Cardinals. In his second season in the NFL, he was sent to the San Diego Chargers, where he spent the next four seasons. After three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and one with the Philadelphia Eagles, Zandofsky retired from professional football.

 

[pemory09]

I am saddened to hear of George Boone's passing. The day after the 1989 NFL Draft I was starving for info about George Boone's picks: (here are the first 6)

1A. Eric Hill, LB, LSU
1B. Joe Wolf, T, Boston College
2. Walter Reeves, TE, Auburn
3. Mike Zandofsky, G, Washington
4. Jim Wahler, NT, UCLA
5. Richard Tardits, OLB, Georgia

In those days it was very difficult to get any added info other than from Mel Kiper's Blue Book...so I took a chance. I called the Cardinals' headquarters and asked to speak with George Boone. I said I was an NFC East beat writer for the Boston Herald and that I was doing an article on the draft.

Much to my amazement, a couple of seconds later, there was George Boone on the phone! "What can I do for you?" he asked.

I figured I would have five minutes with him at the most---so i started asking questions fast and furiously. "Slow down," he said. "One question at a time." "I am happy to answer your questions," he said.

Honest to goodness, we were on the phone for 45 minutes. He offered his thoughts on every one of the Cardinals' 13 draft picks (the draft was 12 rounds back then). I remember how high he was on Hill, Wolf and Reeves, but he said that G Mike Zandofsky was his prized pick of the draft. He spent 10 minutes telling me how long and closely they scouted him---and he was gushing that he was able to take him in the third round. He also gushed about OLB Richard Tardits' speed and athleticism and about taking CB Jay Taylor of San Jose St. in the 6th round.

In the following two years (his last two years as Cardinals' GM) Boone drafted WR Ricky Proehl, FB Larry Centers, RB Johnny Johnson, DT Eric Swann, DE Mike Jones and HOF CB Aeneas Williams.

George Boone was roundly criticized as a GM---but I can tell you from talking to him for those 45 minutes, the man was diligent, passionate and well-prepared. And he was willing to spend 45 minutes the day after the draft talking about his draft picks to a supposed NFC East beat writer from Boston.

I will always cherish that conversation.

His last words to me were---"Please send me your article." Of course, I lied and assured him I would.

RIP George Boone. May every day be draft day for you in heaven!

Mitch:

That's a fantastic and amazing story. Thank you for sharing it!

 

[Buckybird]

I never understood the bashing of Boone's draft picks. In fact he did pretty well other than Stouffer, Duncan, Thompson, Lee & Sacca.

How things might've been different if Michael were in charge during that time or Mr B had his same approach.

Nice story Mitch


Rip George

 

[football karma]

The thing with Boone was this: his picks tended to turn out fantastic, or, a total failure

Terry Metcalf was a back from Long Beach State -- a glorified community college. Even OJ Anderson was from Miami, long before it was the "U".

But for each of of those, there were five guys who couldn't play at all.

 

[Buckybird]

The thing with Boone was this: his picks tended to turn out fantastic, or, a total failure

Terry Metcalf was a back from Long Beach State -- a glorified community college. Even OJ Anderson was from Miami, long before it was the "U".

But for each of of those, there were five guys who couldn't play at all.

Yes they were. That gamble on Swann was a homer run & probably one of the biggest gambles in NFL history. I know most Cards fans were like...wtf?

He's an NFL HOFer if not for the Iggles cheap shots at his knees.

 

[Iceman]

I'm impressed with all the knowledge you all have with past players. I thought I was a decent walking sports encyclopedia, but I am nothing compared to you guys!

 

[jmt]

For better and worse Boone was our guy. QEPD.

 

[Cardiac]

The thing with Boone was this: his picks tended to turn out fantastic, or, a total failure

Terry Metcalf was a back from Long Beach State -- a glorified community college. Even OJ Anderson was from Miami, long before it was the "U".

But for each of of those, there were five guys who couldn't play at all.

First off, RIP George Boone.

Can't give him credit for the Metcalf, that was Coryell's pick. He coached against Terry when Don was coaching in college.