Countdown to kickoff: 72 days left, we look at the history of No. 72

Take one down, pass it around. 72 days left until the Arizona Cardinals play in Week 1 of the regular season.

Let's look at the history of jersey number 72.

This year, fifth round pick Ed Stinson wears number 72. He is expected to contribute to the defensive line depth this season in his rookie season.

Last season, in 2013, it belonged to defensive end Everrette Thompson. He never got into any games. He spent the season on injured reserve.

In 2012, it was another player that ended the season on IR. It was backup offensive lineman Rich Ohrnberger. He filled in at guard and at center, but got hurt himself after starting four games (he played in 13, mostly on special teams). He followed Ken Whisenhunt to San Diego in 2013.

RIght tackle Brandon Keith wore 72 in 2009-2011. A seventh round pick by the Cards in 2009, he spent the year on the bench his rookie year. He won the right tackle job out of training camp in 2010, but struggled. He suffered a season ending injury after nine games. He came back in 2011, played in 13 games, starting 11, again struggling for much of the year. He was not tendered an offer as a restricted free agent and has not played in the NFL since.

It was not worn from 2006-08, but in 2004 and 2005, defensive tackle Ross Kolodziej wore 72. He played in Arizona in 2007 as well, but wore 96. He was a starter for the Cards in 05 and logged 23 total tackles and three sacks.

Defensive end Kenny King wore it 2003. He was a fifth round pick by the Cards and played 11 games, starting one. He had two sacks and 17 tackles. His career was one of injuries. He was injured in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Tough break, although he did pull in an NFL check those seasons.

Jabari Issa, a defensive lineman I don't remember, spent two years with the Cards in 2000 and 2001. He was drafted in the sixth round. He played in 23 games in two seasons, starting five, picked up a sack and had 25 total tackles. He did not play in the league after that. He was taken in the 2002 expansion draft by the Texans, but did not make the team.

In 1998, offensive lineman Jerome Daniels wore 72. He started five games at left guard that year -- his only NFL season. He was a member of the Dolphins and Ravens in 1997, although never played. He is currently the head football coach of Phoenix College. His bio says he spent four year with the Cardinals, but he never played in a game after 1998. Injuries must have been his issue from 1999-2001.

In 1993, it was defensive tackle Chuck Johnson. He was an undrafted rookie who appeared in five games that year.

From 1987-1991, it belonged to defensive lineman Rod Saddler, a player whose name I remember from when I first started following the Cards. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth round in 1987. He was a starter for the first three seasons in Arizona. He started 48 games for the Cardinals, had 12.5 sacks and scored two touchdowns on fumble recoveries.

Here are the rest:

1987 -- DT Anthony Burke

1984 -- DT Dan Ralph

1971-83-- OL Dan Dierdorf: A Hall of Famer, he was one of the best Cardinals ever to play. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro. He is in the Cardinals Ring of Honor.

1963-67 -- DT Sam Silas

1959-62 -- OL/DL Frank Fuller

1954-58 -- DT Chuck Ulrich

1950-53 -- OL/DT Bill Fischer

Clearly, you have to think that Dierdorf was the best with No. 72. But since coming to Arizona? That would actually probably have to be Rod Saddler.