NFL history: The Mount Rushmore of every NFL franchise

Arizona Cardinals: Larry Fitzgerald, Kurt Warner, Larry Wilson, Anquan Boldin

The former St. Louis Rams may have been known as the ‘Greatest Show on Turf’, but there was a stretch where the Arizona Cardinals could have also tried to stake claim to that moniker. The Rams were sensational in the late 1990s and early 2000s. They proved to be one of the greatest passing attacks in the NFL. The same could be said for the Arizona Cardinals in 2008 and 2009.

Not surprisingly, each of those franchises had Kurt Warner to thank for their potent aerial attacks. Warner, who went from Arena League quarterback to Pro Football Hall of Famer, put each franchise on his back and nearly pulled off the upset of the century, as his Cardinals took the Pittsburgh Steelers to the last second in Super Bowl XLII.

Also on that team with him were Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. The first to join the club was Boldin, a second-round pick who had 101 receptions as a rookie. He finished his career with the Cardinals by pulling in 586 catches for 7,520 yards and 44 touchdowns.

His running mate for most of his time in Arizona was Fitzgerald, who came into the NFL in 2004 and is still with the Cardinals today. The former No. 3 overall pick is No. 1 in team history for receptions (1,303), yards (16,279) and touchdowns (116). It seems impossible to think of anyone ever surpassing him on those marks.

As for the fourth person on the Cardinals’ Mount Rushmore, we have Larry Wilson who was part of the then-St. Louis Cardinals from 1960 through 1972. He finished his career with the Red Birds by recording a franchise-best 52 interceptions, while scoring a combined seven touchdowns on interception and fumble returns.