1990 Cardinals: Flashbacks & Fumbles

The Arizona Cardinals’ 1990 season opener looms 90 days away, but the team’s past holds lessons in grit and grittier stats. Under rookie head coach Joe Bugel, who brought offensive genius to build around QB Timm Rosenbach, the Cardinals stumbled to a 5-11 record — 2-8 to start, then clawed back with three wins before collapsing. Rosenbach threw for 3K yards but more picks than touchdowns. Rookie RB Johnny Johnson, a 7th-round steal, dominated with 926 rushing yards and earned the team’s lone Pro Bowl nod — second in ROY voting behind Emmitt Smith. Left tackle Luis Sharpe was a second-team All-Pro. Johnson carried the offense, while rookie Ricky Proehl led the receivers. Defensively, Ken Harvey led with 10 sacks, and safeties Tim McDonald and Lonnie Young racked up tackles and interceptions. It wasn’t pretty — 24th in scoring and points allowed — but it planted seeds for the future. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/2c9069ea4ca05b80