As Larry Wilson’s career was winding down, the St. Louis Cardinals had another star Defensive Back in Roger Werhli to take over command of the secondary.

An All-American at Missouri, Wehrli impressed scouts with his speed at the combine, which allegedly propelled him to a late First Round Pick.  Some pundits at the time might have thought it was a reach to take Wehrli, but that was debunked almost immediately, as the Cornerback was the runner-up for the Defensive Player of the Year (1969).

Wehrli promptly went to the following two Pro Bowls and became the top Corner in the middle portion of the 1970s after struggling the two years after.  Dubbed a "shutdown corner" by Dallas Quarterback Roger Staubach (which may have been the first time that term was used), Wehrli was named a First Team All-Pro three years in a row (1974-76) while also accumulating a four-year run of Pro Bowls (1973-76). 

Adding a seventh Pro Bowl in 1979, Wehrli slowed down afterward but would leave the game with 40 Interceptions.

Wehrli entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Cardinals Ring of Honor in 2007.

Charley Trippi was a coveted player from the University of Georgia, and the New York Yankees of the upstart All-American Football Conference thought they had him locked up.  The Chicago Cardinals, who drafted him first overall, earned his services when Cardinals owner Charles Bidwell signed him to what was a massive contract at the time, $100,000 over four years.

Trippi was the heart of what would become Chicago's "Million Dollar Backfield," as a rookie in 1947, he would lead the Cardinals to an NFL Championship.  Incredibly versatile, Trippi could play any offensive skill position and excelled at rushing, passing, and punting.  He played until 1955, finishing his career with the Cardinals and amassing 4,827 Yards From Scrimmage.

Trippi was selected for the 1940s All-Decade Team and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.  The Cardinals selected Trippi for their inaugural Ring of Honor class in 2006.

Named the Big East Offensive Player of the Year in 2003, Larry Fitzgerald shattered his accomplishments at the University of Pittsburgh with a spectacular 17-year career that was spent entirely with Arizona.

After a solid rookie year, Fitzgerald broke out in his sophomore season, accumulating 1,409 Yards and 10 Touchdowns.  The 11-time Pro Bowler broke four digits in Yards eight more times and would twice lead the NFL in Touchdown Receptions (2008 & 2009) and Receptions (2005 & 2016).  Fitzgerald was the top weapon for Cardinal Quarterbacks for well over a decade, and had it not been for his work, Arizona would not have made their first Super Bowl, where he had 546 Yards and seven Touchdowns in their four Playoff Games.

Fitzgerald was a legend on the field and was equally so off of it, having won the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2016.

At the time of his retirement, Fitzgerald ranked second in Receptions and Receiving Yards and was sixth in Receiving Touchdowns.  He also holds a myriad of franchise records and receiving records.  He was named to the 2010s All-Decade and 100th Anniversary Team and will soon be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

A two-way star at Utah, Larry Wilson barely reached six feet, which was primarily why he dropped to the Seventh Round of the 1960 NFL Draft, and it would not take long to see that he was the steal of the day.

A Cardinal for the entirety of his 12 NFL campaigns, Wilson was one of the most outstanding Safety of the 1960s and helped redefine the position.  With his speed and tackling ability, the Cardinals had a player who could execute the Safety Blitz, a novelty at the time.  Wilson had 21 (unofficial) Sacks over his career, and in traditional Defensive Back stats, he recorded 52 Interceptions, including a league-leading 10 in 1966, a year where he was second in MVP voting.  He was also known for his toughness, having once played with casts on both arms.

From 1962 to 1970, Wilson was named to the Pro Bowl, and he rattled off five consecutive First Team Selections from 1966 to 1970.  Not surprisingly, Wilson was chosen for the 50^th, 75^th, and 100^th NFL Anniversary Teams. 

Wilson entered the Pro Football of Fame in his first year of eligibility, one of two people (Tom Nix) being the other, to accomplish this astounding feat.

He may never have appeared in a playoff game, but many a game was won for St. Louis because Wilson was on their squad.  The Cardinals retired his number 8 in 1970; in 2006, he entered their Ring of Honor.