90 Days Until Kickoff? This 7th-Round Gem Was The Only Thing To Cheer For In 1990.

Alright, Emerald City, listen up! While we're all counting down the days to *our* boys hitting the field, there's another countdown happening. We're a full 90 days away from the Arizona Cardinals' regular season opener on September 13th, when they head out to face the Los Angeles Chargers. And honestly, looking back at their 1990 season, it's a wild ride that makes you appreciate *our* grind even more.

That 5-11 Record Doesn't Tell The Whole Story

Okay, so 1990 was new coach Joe Bugel's first year, right? He was this hotshot offensive coordinator from the Washington Redskins, brought in to fix things with quarterback Timm Rosenbach. The goal? Get 'em on track. The reality? A 5-11 season. Yeah, rough. They were ranked 24th in both scoring and points allowed, which tells you everything you need to know about consistency. They started a brutal 2-8, then pulled off three straight wins, only to completely fall apart again with three straight losses to finish it out. Classic. And Rosenbach? He looked promising, for sure, completing 54.2% of his passes for 3,098 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions, plus 470 rushing yards and three scores. But he never played a full season again and was out of the league after 1992. Talk about a flash in the pan, man.

A 7th-Rounder Shocks The League

But here's where it gets interesting, like a diamond in the rough found at T-Mobile Park! Amidst that chaos, a seventh-round pick, running back Johnny Johnson, absolutely exploded. This dude was second in the *entire NFL* for Offensive Rookie of the Year, right behind Emmitt Smith! Can you believe that? He was their *only* Pro Bowler. And left tackle Luis Sharpe even snagged a second-team All-Pro nod. Johnson, playing just 14 games, rushed for 926 yards and added 25 catches for 241 yards, totalling 1,167 yards. He stepped up big time, especially when second-round running back Anthony Thompson only managed 390 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 3.4 yards per attempt. Rookie wide receiver Ricky Proehl, a third-round pick, led the team with 56 receptions for 802 yards and four scores, with Roy Green and Ernie Jones right behind him, both cracking 700+ yards and four TDs each. So, yeah, the team was losing, but some guys were *balling*.

Safeties Were Tackling Machines

On defense, man, those safeties were everywhere! Tim McDonald racked up 114 tackles, and Lonnie Young wasn't far behind with 111. Linebacker Ken Harvey was a force, with 99 tackles and a team-high 10 sacks. Freddie Joe Nunn also put up nine sacks. McDonald wasn't just tackling though; he also led the team with four interceptions, with cornerback Jay Taylor picking off three. So while the team's overall record was brutal, you had some serious individual talent making plays. It wasn't all doom and gloom, even if the scoreboard didn't always show it. So, as we gear up for *our* season, it’s wild to look back at moments like these. The Cardinals are still 90 days out from that September 13th opener against the Chargers, and you gotta wonder what lessons they've actually taken from seasons past. Maybe remembering those flashes of individual brilliance, even in a 5-11 season, gives their fans something to hold onto. For us, it’s a reminder that even when things are tough, there are always players giving it their all. Let's get ready, 12s, because our time is coming!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.