We can officially commence the countdown to the start of the Arizona Cardinals‘ regular season. Today, Monday, June 8, is 97 days away from the Arizona Cardinals’ regular-season opener on Sept. 13 on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers.
With 97 days until Week 1, let’s look back at the 1997 season for the Cardinals.
1997 was not a good year, but it was the beginning of the Jake Plummer era. They went 4-12, starting the season 1-7. They were 25th in the league in offense, averaging 17.7 points per game, and 25th in defense, allowing 23.7 points per game.
It was the second year for Vince Tobin as head coach.
Kent Graham began the season as the starting quarterback and started six games. Stoney Case replaced him in the seventh game, and Plummer replaced Case midgame, leading them on a long touchdown drive in his first time on the field. Plummer finished the season as the starter.
Plummer, a rookie second-round pick, finished third in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. He led the Cardinals in passing. He completed 53.% of his passes for 2,203 yards, 15 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He also rushed for 216 yards and two scores.
It was not a good year for running backs. The rushing leader was Leeland McElroy, who led the team with 424 yards and two scores.
Receiver Rob Moore was the most-targeted receiver in the NFL, as Plummer and the other QBs attempted to throw the ball to him 209 times. He finished the season with 97 receptions for a league-leading 1,584 yards and eight touchdowns. Frank Sanders also have over 1,000 yards, catching 75 passes for 1,017 yards and four touchdowns.
Eric Swann led the Cardinals with 7.5 sacks, followed by six by Mark Smith, 5.5 by Jamir Miller and five by Simeon Rice. Ronald McKinnon had a team-high 97 tackles with three interceptions. Defensive lineman Michael Bankston had 95 tackles. Cornerback Aeneas Williams was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro with six interceptions.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: 97 days till Arizona Cardinals’ opener: Remembering the 1997 season
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