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There are now 34 days left until the Arizona Cardinals kick off their regular season against the San Diego Chargers on Monday Night Football.
That means we need to look at the history of jersey No. 34.
It is worn now by free agent running back Jalen Parmele, a beast of a running back who wrote a personal letter to head coach Bruce Arians to convince him to sign him. He was signed after a tryout during rookie mini-camp and perhaps could land on the roster as a fifth running back for special teams play, although he is still a longshot.
Before this season, it belonged to the disappointing Ryan Williams for three seasons. Drafted in the second round in 2011, his career was marred by misfortune. He tore his patella tendon in the preseason of his rookie campaign and missed the year. He was rushed back in 2012 and was a little tentative. He had a fluky shoulder injury that sent him to injured reserve again after only five games. He was healthy all that offseason and came into training camp ready to go, but knee soreness set him back. He missed camp time and barely made the final 53. He was not active for any game last season and was released in the offseason. He showed flashes but never put it together.
Before Williams, it belonged to running back Tim Hightower. Drafted in the fifth round in 2008, he was a surprise impact player. In 2009, he was the team's starter and, along with rookie Beanie Wells, was part of arguably the best rushing attack the Cardinals have had since coming to Arizona. He was again the starter for most of 2010 and was the leading rusher. But the team was committed to Beanie Wells and then drafted Ryan Williams. It made Hightower expendable. He was traded to the Redskins for a draft pick and Vonnie Holliday at the start of camp and he played five games before tearing his ACL. He hasn't played since.
In 2007, it was worn by safety Bhawoh Joe. He played one game. I have no idea who he was.
Safety Robert Griffith wore 34 in 2005-06. He was signed as a free agent after 11 years in the league at age 35. He was a starter for two seasons and, while serviceable, his age showed. In two seasons, he had four interceptions and 143 total tackles. He was Denny Green guy, who played for him in Minnesota before.
In 2003, it belonged to safety Dexter Jackson, who parlayed his Super Bowl MVP into a five-year $14 million contract. It doesn't seem like much now, but it was a big contract. He played well in his one season in Arizona, picking off six passes and logging 88 tackles. He injured his back and was on injured reserve to start the season, but was released in October 2004.
From 1999-2002, it was the number of fullback Joel Mackovicka. He was a fourth rounder for the Cards. He played four years and 58 games, starting 35 of them, caught 47 passes and rushed the ball 17 times. He didn't play in the NFL after that.
From 1994-96, it was the number that safety Terry Hoage wore. I don't remember him, but he signed with the Cardinals in '94 at age 34. He started his first season here, had a sack and three interceptions and logged 85 tackles. Injuries limited him in 1995 and 1996 and his career ended.
One of the biggest busts that the Cardinals drafted wore 34 from 1990-92. It was running back Anthony Thompson. He was their top pick (in the second round) in 1990, as they had no first rounder after taking Timm Rosenbach in the supplemental draft. he had been second in the voting for the Heisman Trophy and held the NCAA record for touchdowns. He was just not impactful. He couldn't pass Johnny Johnson, who was a seventh rounder that year. He just was...meh. So disappointing like so many high round running backs historically. He was released during the 1992 season.
In 1988-89, it was running back Jessie Clark. He was a reserve back, who rushed the ball a whopping 10 times in two seasons.
Here are the rest:
1985 -- RB Tom Mumford
1983 -- DB Monty Hunter
1974-78 -- RB Steve Jones
1972 -- RB Don Heater
1968-71 -- LB Rocky Rosema
1960-67 -- LB Bill Koman (2-time Pro Bowlers for the Cardinals)
1951-53 -- LB/FB John Panelli
1950 -- FB/LB Pat Harder
There you go!
