clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

2014 NFL countdown: 71 days left, who has worn No. 71 for the Cardinals?

What is the history of No. 71?

US PRESSWIRE

There are now 71 days remaining until the Arizona Cardinals begin their 2014 season on Monday Night Football. As we continue with our daily countdown, let us look at jersey number 71.

Undrafted rookie offensive lineman Anthony Steen currently wears 71. He was injured to start the offseason, recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum he played his final season at Alabama with. He is a bit behind, as I wrote not too long ago.

From 2011-2013, guard Daryn Colledge donned No. 71. He joined the Cardinals as a free agent from Green Bay, signing a five-year deal. He was let go after last season because of his salary and the young players behind him. He was sometime really solid and sometime not so great, but he was reliable.

Defensive end Joe Tafoya wore it in 2007. His one season in Arizona was the last of his six-year NFL career. He played in 13 games, starting seven and had two sacks. He suffered a career-ending injury in training camp of 2008.

Before Tafoya, center Alex Stepanovich wore 71 from 2004-2006. He was drafted by Arizona in the fourth round in 2004 and became a starter immediately. He was a starter all three years, but had injuries prematurely end his '05 and '06 season. He was not tendered a restricted free agent offer, so he became a free agent. He played a season in Cincinnati and then signed a three-year deal with the Falcons, only to have his career cut short by injuries.

In 2002, tackle Teag Whiting wore it. He played one game. I don't remember him.

Defensive end Andy Bowers wore 71 in 2001. I also do not remember him, but he started the only game he played in the NFL that season.

Guard Lester Holmes was 71 from 1998-2000. Signed before the 1998 season, he was the team's starting right guard for three seasons. His NFL career ended after his time in Arizona, but it had lasted eight seasons.

Tackle Thomas Guynes wore 71 for the four games in which he appeared in 1997.

Tackle Larry Tharpe wore it for one season for the Cardinals in 1995. He was considered one of the Buddy Ryan mistakes. He was a Lions backup tackle for two seasons and the Cardinals signed him for three seasons. It turned out that his agent was Buddy Ryan's son and that he had allegedly gotten Tharpe to leave his previous agent to sign with im Ryan, promising a higher salary (which would give Jim a nice commission). Tharpe started all 16 games that season, but was jettisoned out after just one season.

In 1994, it was worn by guard Mark Tucker. I do not remember him, but he was a backup who also started four games.

Guard Joe Bostic wore 71 from 1979-88. He was a starter for eight years and then the final two he was a backup. He played his entire career for the Cardinals, the final year being the team's first in Arizona.

Now for the rest, as they are all St. Louis guys:

1977 -- DT/DE Steve Okoniewski

1976 -- DE/DT Marvin Upshaw

1963-73 -- T Bob Reynolds (a 10-year starter at left tackle)

1972-73 -- DT John Richardson

1960-61 -- OL Dale Memmelaar (He playedin 1959 for the team with No. 63)

1958-59 -- T/DT Bobby Cross

1956 -- T Tom Dahms

1952-53 -- DE/DT Don Joyce

Looking at the list of names, at least in Arizona, the possible best are Colledge, Holmes and Stepanovich. Historically, I would think that Bostic would be that guy. Anyone who can confirm that? Are any of these players ones that stand out to you or are guys that you have interesting memories of?