Memory Lane - Preview of the 1976 St Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals are an original NFL club. They go all the way back to 1920 and the American Pro Football Association. They weren't the only Chicago team in 1920, also playing were the Chicago Tigers and the Bears were known as the Decatur Staleys. I know you are wondering "Who won the title that year?" It was the Akron Pros. The title was based on best season record, there wasn't a title game yet. The Cardinals would move to St Louis in 1960. In 1988 they relocated again and were known as the Phoenix Cardinals. In 1994 they changed from Phoenix to Arizona Cardinals.

Don Coryell is heading into his fourth season as the Cardinal head coach and he will be looking for his third straight NFC East division title. But he will have to deal with last year’s NFC Champions Dallas Cowboys and George Allen’s “Over the Hill Gang” in Washington.

Thirty-two year old pro bowl QB Jim Hart will be entering his 11^th season, will he repeat a season like 1974 with 20 TD’s and 8 INT’s or will he have a season like last year with 19 TD’s and 19 INT’s? In the backfield he will have thousand yard rusher Jim Otis and pro bowler Terry Metcalf with his 1975 numbers of 816 rushing yards, a punt return average of 12.4 and 1 TD and kickoff return average of 27.4 and 1 TD. WR’s are pro bowler Mel Gray, Ike Harris and TE Jackie Smith (HOF). The offensive line gave up only eight sacks in 1975, which consists of Dan Dierdorf (HOF), Tom Banks and Conrad Dobler, who Sports Illustrated named the “Dirtiest Man in football” in a 1977 cover story.

The 1975 Cardinals defense needs an upgrade to be a legitimate contender. They do have CB Roger Wehrli (HOF) and thirty-four year old LB Larry Stallings.

The 1976 Draft additions: DT Mike Dawson, WR Pat Tilley, RB Wayne Morris.

Cardinals 1975 rankings:

Total Yards Offense: 6

Total Yards Defense: 18

Total Pts Scored: 7

Total Pts Against: 11

1975 Results

1976 Opening day roster

Next: Dallas Cowboys