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With 87 days left until the Arizona Cardinals start the season against the San Diego Chargers on Monday night.
Who has worn jersey 87?
It is worn currently by rookie tight end Troy Niklas, whom the team drafted in the second round. He currently has a broken hand.
From 2011-2013, it was tight end Jeff King. He spent all last season on injured reserve. He caught 44 passes and three touchdowns.
From 2007-2009, it was receiver and special teams ace Sean Morey. He made the Pro Bowl in 2008 as a special teamer. Cardinals fans will remember his blocked punt at home against the Cowboys.
In 2006, Fred Wakefield wore it. He was an interesting player. He played defensive line, offensive line and tight end in his career. In 2006, he was a tight end...or a glorified jumbo tackle. He caught two passes.
In 2005, return specialist Reggie Swinton wore it. He averaged eight yards per punt return and over 23 yards per kick return.
In 2004, it was Reggie Newhouse. He swapped to 18 in 2005. He played three games each in 04 and 05, catching five passes.
From 2001-03, it was tight end Steve Bush. He started 22 games in three seasons, caught 38 passes and scored on touchdown.
Jay Tant wore 87 in 2000. He played his only season in the league that year, appearing in five games and catching one pass.
From 1996-99, it was Johnny McWilliams. Arizona drafted the tight end in the third round. He played four seasons for the Cards and one for Minnesota. His best season was 1998, when the team made the playoffs. He caught 26 passes and scored four touchdowns.
In 1995 and for two games in 1996, it was tight end Oscar McBride. He was undrafted, but started 10 games his rookie season, caught 13 passes and scored a pair of touchdowns.
The earliest 87 I remember was receiver Ricky Proehl. The Cards drafted him in 1990 in the third round. He played five seasons and was a solid player, but was not appreciated by Buddy Ryan. He would end up playing 17 years in the NFL. For the Cards, he started 65 games, caught 287 passes and scored 21 touchdowns.
Here are the rest:
1998 -- WR Andy Schillinger
1986-87 -- WR Troy Johnson
1985 -- WR Earnest Gray
1982-83 -- TE Eddie McGill
1980-81 -- TE Doug Marsh
1978-79 -- TE Al Chandler
1979 -- TE Richard Osborne
1978 -- TE/WR Jim Thaxton
1976-77 -- P/TE Terry joyce
1972-73 -- LB/DE Jeff Staggs
1969-70 -- DE Cal Snowden
1967 -- LB Jerry Hillenbrand
1962 -- DE Chuck Bryant
1959 -- DE-LB Maury Schleicher
1955, 1957 -- DE Dick Brubaker
1956 -- DE Charlie Anderson
1954 -- DE Jim Ladd
1950-54 -- B Ray Ramsey (I don't know what a 'B' is)
1950 -- HB Babe Dimancheff
Any memories of these guys? As for the best, I think that belongs to Proehl.