Wadsworth

[Harry]

I must admit I like it when people agree with me. So when The Athletic ran an article today, I was pleased to read all the positive comments on Wadsworth. You can use the advanced search tool if you’re curious to see what I’ve written about him on this board. Essentially it’s the same as this article Wadsworth was a potentially great player betrayed by failing knees. Here’s a few quotes from the article.

Former DC Dave McGinnis, “With stable knees, Andre Wadsworth in all likelihood would have been a Pro Bowl player, should have played at least 10 years and could have been an exceptional defensive end.”

“Another Hall of Fame inductee, Green Bay GM Ron Wolf, said, “He’s like a Bruce Smith or Reggie White. He’s the best defensive lineman to come into the National Football League in the 1990s.”

Falcons scout Dick Corrick, ““They moved him from tackle to end this year and he just came on like gangbusters. He played defensive tackle a year ago and he was terrific then. That body lean he comes off with is really, really special.”

The article also revealed the Pack tried to trade with the Cards to get Wadsworth.

It’s a shame his knees gave out because even in his erratic first year with the Cards he showed exceptional potential. His loss set the defense back for a decade.

 

[TheCardFan]

Really sucks for us. 1998 and 1999 could have been foundational drafts for us after trade with San Diego.

3 #1 picks
3 #2 picks

We got Wadsworth, David Boston, and LJ Shelton (3 #1 picks)
...Corey Chavous, Anthony Clement, and Johnny Rutledge (3 #2 picks)

We fleeced San Diego and dodged Ryan Leaf but couldn't capitalize on that good fortune.

 

[AZCrazy]

Wonder if he could have done better and had a career, with today's medical techniques.

His loss was hard. I remember it being so hard to even get him into camp, having held out as a rookie back when that was done by the top picks a lot. He finally showed up after missing the entire training camp and preseason, and was injured very quickly.

"Pennies for Andre" still rings in my ears.

 

[Syracusecards]

Our D line was going to be insanely talented with Simeon, Mark Smith, Eric Swan (another great derailed by injuries) and then Wadsworth. Such a shame the way it ended up.

 

[speedy]

Our D line was going to be insanely talented with Simeon, Mark Smith, Eric Swan (another great derailed by injuries) and then Wadsworth. Such a shame the way it ended up.

Yes! That front 4 should have been one of the best in the history of the league. Injuries derailed it 2 of them. The deodorant for the armpit of the NFL is just another story all together.

 

[TheCardFan]

Mark Smith - forgot about that guy.

7th round pick and had 15 sacks at DT in first two years. He got injured in 3rd year and was never the same.

TEMPE — There isn't much left of that awesome young defensive line of the Arizona Cardinals.A year ago, the quartet of Andre Wadsworth, Mark Smith, Eric Swann and Simeon Rice were considered the next "Steel Curtain."Now they're mostly a memory.On Wednesday, the Cardinals placed Smith on the injured list and pronounced him out for the season because his recovery from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee has been slower than expected.Wadsworth underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Wednesday and could be out four to six weeks, although he said he wants to be back sooner.Swann is still a part-time player as he slowly works his way back from two knee surgeries.Only Rice, who is having his best season, is healthy.Smith's operation was performed Oct. 25 by Vail, Colo., specialist Dr. Richard Steadman after Smith decided not to use the Cardinals' team doctor Russell Chick.The Cardinals had expected Smith to be back four to six weeks after the surgery."In the meantime, he's gathered an awful lot of fluid that has been drained several times," coach Vince Tobin said. "He's only now starting to come back. The decision was made that four to six weeks on top of where we are at this point in time leaves you with about two to three weeks at the end of the year with a guy who hasn't been in training camp, hasn't done that much football and is coming off of surgery."Smith, in his third season, held out in a contract dispute before finally giving in and accepting the Cardinals' tender offer after missing two games. He played in only two games, getting a total of two tackles, before going out with the knee injury."It certainly sure didn't work out the way he anticipated or the way I would have liked from mini-camp on because he had very little production as a football player," Tobin said. "He got no more money — really got less money. It was a lose-lose situation if you really analyze it.

https://azdailysun.com/injury-bug-b...cle_e3326332-197a-5ca4-9660-75e9e770c6b4.html

 

[GatorAZ]

One of the most physically imposing DE’s there was. Would’ve been DeMarcus Ware if not for the terrible luck.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[ajcardfan]

He was character assassinated on the old board which I thought was very unfair at the time. When he and Swann sought second opinion on their knees and got microfracture it got ugly.

Personally, he and Aeneas were the nicest players I ever met. He got hurt against the Giants (the coldest Cards game ever, it was sleeting at SDS) and he actually showed me his leg, at Fan Fest where you chose your seats, and a chunk of flesh about the size of a quarter was missing just below his knee.

It was just a damn shame.

 

[Harry]

Wonder if he could have done better and had a career, with today's medical techniques.

His loss was hard. I remember it being so hard to even get him into camp, having held out as a rookie back when that was done by the top picks a lot. He finally showed up after missing the entire training camp and preseason, and was injured very quickly.

"Pennies for Andre" still rings in my ears.

Both he and Swann also underwent Micro Fracture surgery but in neither case was it successful. A version of it still exists with somewhat better results. It’s mostly a last option.

 

[Jasper]

Wadsworth, Swann, Smith, Rice I think played together for a total of 4 games.

 

[Finito]

He was amazing but his body failed him. I think I heard he’s had like 20 surgeries in his life.

CBS sports said he was the biggest bust in cardinal history and I think stuff like that is so BS. Yeah like he chose to never walk right and have knee issues the rest on his life. That’s just bad luck.

 

[Harry]

He was amazing but his body failed him. I think I heard he’s had like 20 surgeries in his life.

CBS sports said he was the biggest bust in cardinal history and I think stuff like that is so BS. Yeah like he chose to never walk right and have knee issues the rest on his life. That’s just bad luck.

They must not have seen Wendell Bryant play.

 

[WisconsinCard]

He was character assassinated on the old board which I thought was very unfair at the time. When he and Swann sought second opinion on their knees and got microfracture it got ugly.

Personally, he and Aeneas were the nicest players I ever met. He got hurt against the Giants (the coldest Cards game ever, it was sleeting at SDS) and he actually showed me his leg, at Fan Fest where you chose your seats, and a chunk of flesh about the size of a quarter was missing just below his knee.

It was just a damn shame.

Agreed 100%, we were at the game too. My son was a little dude and shivering like crazy but he wouldn't leave the stadium until the game was over. Wasn't there some kind of crazy blocked punt for a td too??

 

[Finito]

They must not have seen Wendell Bryant play.

the second that pick was made I was like NOPE

 

[Buckybird]

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Well Wadsworth & the rest of that defense gave me one of the greatest thrills in my life!!! Beating the hell out of the Cowpies in my hometown & witnessing it in person was a thrill of all thrills back in those days . They dominated

The Arizona freaking Cardinals officially ended that dynasty on that could January day!!! Woohoo

this pic still hangs in my Cardinals room

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

That defense also had jamir Miller and Aeneas, right? That was a nasty defense.

 

[mjb21aztd]

That draft after leaf was deep!!! That was the moss charles woodson draft he would have been dope as a card but than i understood the wadsworth pick..... shame injuries killed his carrer atleast he got to play and beat the cowboys in playoffs lol!! My most favorite playoff win

I also still watch jackie 50 plus fg vs chargers to win that yr on YouTube lolman that team was fun!!! Went to see them that yr vs seahawks another close lucky win

Jake the snake larry centers rob moire Frank Sanders and tilman rip!

Honestly i think that tem could beat this yrs team much better def