This is an analytical overview based on the Wikipedia article for the 2003 Arizona Cardinals season. Read the full source article here. (opens in new tab)

Cardinal Red: The 2003 Season Chronicle

An analytical deep-dive into the Arizona Cardinals' 2003 campaign, exploring their performance, key personnel, draft impact, and the season's dramatic finale.

Season Overview ๐Ÿ‘‡ Game Highlights ๐Ÿ“…

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Season Synopsis

Performance Overview

The 2003 Arizona Cardinals season marked the franchise's 105th overall and 84th in the National Football League. Under Head Coach Dave McGinnis, the team struggled, finishing with a 4-12 record, a regression from the previous season's 5-11 performance. This outcome led to McGinnis's dismissal and the subsequent hiring of Dennis Green.

Near Miss and Historical Context

The season was notable for the team's resilience, narrowly avoiding an 0-16 record. Despite the overall struggles, a pivotal victory against the Green Bay Packers prevented this ignominious distinction. Furthermore, based on point differential, the Cardinals posted the league's worst record in a season where every team secured at least four wins, highlighting the competitive parity and challenges faced.

Rookie Impact

A significant positive development was the emergence of rookie wide receiver Anquan Boldin. His debut season was exceptional, culminating in him being named the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year. Boldin's performance provided a crucial bright spot and a foundation for future team success.

Offseason & Draft

Draft Selections

The Cardinals entered the 2003 NFL Draft with significant needs, particularly on offense and defense. Their draft strategy aimed to address these areas, securing talent that could contribute immediately and build for the future.

The Cardinals made several key selections, including:

Round Pick Player Position College Notes
117Bryant JohnsonWRPenn State
118Calvin PaceDEWake Forest
254Anquan Boldin*WRFlorida StatePro Bowl
370Gerald HayesLBPittsburgh
5141Kenny KingDEAlabama
6177Reggie WellsGClarion
6210Tony GilbertLBGeorgia

* Denotes Pro Bowl selection during career.

Key Personnel

Ownership & Management

The franchise was owned by Bill Bidwill. Rod Graves served as the General Manager, overseeing the team's football operations. The coaching staff was led by Head Coach Dave McGinnis, who was in his final season with the team.

Coaching Staff

The coaching hierarchy was structured to support the team's offensive and defensive strategies. Key coordinators included Jerry Sullivan on offense and Larry Marmie on defense. Notable position coaches included Joe Greene for the Defensive Line and George Warhop for the Offensive Line.

Roster Highlights

The 2003 roster featured a mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent. Quarterback duties were primarily handled by Jeff Blake and Josh McCown. The running game was anchored by veteran Emmitt Smith and Marcel Shipp. The receiving corps was notably bolstered by rookie Anquan Boldin and Bryant Johnson. The defense featured players like Adrian Wilson and linebackers Gerald Hayes and LeVar Woods.

Game Schedule & Results

Season Fixtures

The Cardinals competed in the NFC West division. Their schedule included divisional matchups against the Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks, alongside inter-conference play.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue
1Sep 7at Detroit LionsL 24โ€“420โ€“1Ford Field
2Sep 14Seattle SeahawksL 0โ€“380โ€“2Sun Devil Stadium
3Sep 21Green Bay PackersW 20โ€“131โ€“2Sun Devil Stadium
4Sep 28at St. Louis RamsL 13โ€“371โ€“3Edward Jones Dome
5Oct 5at Dallas CowboysL 7โ€“241โ€“4Texas Stadium
6Oct 12Baltimore RavensL 18โ€“261โ€“5Sun Devil Stadium
7Bye
8Oct 26San Francisco 49ersW 16โ€“13 (OT)2โ€“5Sun Devil Stadium
9Nov 2Cincinnati BengalsW 17โ€“143โ€“5Sun Devil Stadium
10Nov 9at Pittsburgh SteelersL 15โ€“283โ€“6Heinz Field
11Nov 16at Cleveland BrownsL 6โ€“443โ€“7Cleveland Browns Stadium
12Nov 23St. Louis RamsL 27โ€“30 (OT)3โ€“8Sun Devil Stadium
13Nov 30at Chicago BearsL 3โ€“283โ€“9Soldier Field
14Dec 7at San Francisco 49ersL 14โ€“503โ€“10San Francisco Stadium
15Dec 14Carolina PanthersL 17โ€“203โ€“11Sun Devil Stadium
16Dec 21at Seattle SeahawksL 10โ€“283โ€“12Seahawks Stadium
17Dec 28Minnesota VikingsW 18โ€“174โ€“12Sun Devil Stadium

Defining Moments

The season featured several close contests and notable performances. A significant highlight was the Week 3 victory over the Green Bay Packers (20-13), marking the team's first win. The Week 8 overtime win against the San Francisco 49ers (16-13) demonstrated resilience. The season concluded with a dramatic Week 17 victory over the Minnesota Vikings (18-17), a game that famously altered draft positioning and had ripple effects on future NFL history.

Division Standings

NFC West Performance

The Arizona Cardinals finished the 2003 season in fourth place within the NFC West division. Their 4-12 record reflected the competitive landscape of the division, which was won by the St. Louis Rams.

NFC West
Team WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
(2) St. Louis Rams 1240.7504โ€“28โ€“4447328L1
(5) Seattle Seahawks 1060.6255โ€“18โ€“4404327W2
San Francisco 49ers 790.4382โ€“46โ€“6384337L1
Arizona Cardinals 4120.2501โ€“53โ€“9225452W1

Accolades

Rookie Recognition

The standout individual achievement for the 2003 Arizona Cardinals was the recognition received by rookie wide receiver Anquan Boldin. His exceptional performance throughout the season earned him the prestigious Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year award, signaling his potential as a franchise cornerstone.

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References

References

  1.  2003 Arizona Cardinals
  2.  Bouchette, Ed; รขย€ยœNFC Notebook: Cardinals primed for 0รขย€ย“16?รขย€ย in Post-Gazette Sports Writer; September 21, 2003
A full list of references for this article are available at the 2003 Arizona Cardinals season Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional sports analysis or advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for consulting official NFL resources or seeking advice from qualified sports analysts or historians. Always refer to official team and league documentation for the most current and comprehensive information.

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