Home / Sports / Fitzgerald's rookie year: Cardinals' 2004 surprise
Fitzgerald's rookie year: Cardinals' 2004 surprise
9 Sep
Summary
- Cardinals drafted future legends Larry Fitzgerald and Karlos Dansby in 2004.
- The team finished with a 6-10 record under new coach Dennis Green.
- Emmitt Smith completed his final NFL season with the Cardinals in 2004.
The 2004 season marked a significant year for the Arizona Cardinals, both in terms of future foundational players and immediate results. Dennis Green began his tenure as head coach, overseeing a team that drafted several players who would become integral to the franchise's success, including future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald, Karlos Dansby, Darnell Dockett, and Antonio Smith.
Despite the promising talent acquired through the draft, the 2004 season proved challenging. The Cardinals finished with a 6-10 record, experiencing a mid-season slump after an initial 0-3 start. The offense ranked poorly in yards and scoring, with three different players seeing time at quarterback. The defense, however, performed respectably, allowing fewer yards and points than many league counterparts.
Individually, defensive end Bertrand Berry was a standout, earning Pro Bowl honors and second-team All-Pro recognition with 14.5 sacks. Quarterback Josh McCown started 13 games, while legendary running back Emmitt Smith played his final NFL season, leading the team with 937 rushing yards. Rookie Larry Fitzgerald also made an immediate impact, leading the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
