1996 Arizona Cardinals season

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1996 NFL draft

Personnel

• President – Bill Bidwill
• Vice president – Larry Wilson
• Assistant general manager – Joe Woolley
• Assistant to the president – Bob Ferguson
• Director of pro scouting – Keith Kidd
• Director of college scouting – Bo Bolinger
• Head coach – Vince Tobin
• Offensive coordinator – Jim Fassel
• Running backs – Jim Skipper
• Wide receivers – Vic Rapp
• Tight ends/quality control – Geep Chryst
• Offensive line – Carl Mauck
• Defensive coordinator – Dave McGinnis
• Defensive line – Joe Greene
• Linebackers – Glenn Pires
• Defensive backs – Larry Marmie
• Special teams – Al Everest
• Strength and conditioning – Bob Rogucki

Roster

53 active, 5 inactive, 5 practice squad

Regular season

Schedule

Game summaries

Week 1: at Indianapolis Colts

First quarter

• ARI – Greg Davis 24-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0. Second quarter
• ARI – Greg Davis 29-yard field goal. Cardinals 6–0.
• IND – Zack Crockett 2-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Cary Blanchard kick). Colts 7–6.
• IND – Cary Blanchard 23-yard field goal. ''Colts 10–6.''' Third quarter
• No scoring plays Fourth quarter
• IND – Cary Blanchard 40-yard field goal. Colts 13–6.
• IND – Marvin Harrison 35-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Cary Blanchard kick). Colts 20–6.
• ARI – Boomer Esiason 2-yard run (Greg Davis kick). Colts 20–13.

Top passers

• ARI – Boomer Esiason – 25/38, 237 yards
• IND – Jim Harbaugh – 16/25, 196 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
• ARI – Leeland McElroy – 17 rushes, 63 yards
• IND – Marshall Faulk – 12 rushes, 46 yards Top receivers
• ARI – Larry Centers – 11 receptions, 108 yards
• IND – Marvin Harrison – 6 receptions, 85 yards, TD

Week 2: vs. Miami Dolphins

First quarter

• MIA – Karim Abdul-Jabbar 3-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Dolphins 7–0. Second quarter
• MIA – Karim Abdul-Jabbar 3-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Dolphins 14–0.
• MIA – Lamar Thomas 20-yard pass from Dan Marino (Joe Nedney kick). Dolphins 21–0.
• MIA – Joe Nedney 36-yard field goal. Dolphins 24–0. Third quarter
• ARI – Cedric Smith 1-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Dolphins 24–7.
• ARI – Greg Davis 26-yard field goal. Dolphins 24–10.
• MIA – Irving Spikes 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Dolphins 31–10. Fourth quarter
• MIA – O.J. McDuffie 5-yard pass from Dan Marino (Joe Nedney kick). Dolphins 38–10.

Top passers

• MIA – Dan Marino – 14/23, 178 yards, 2 TD
• ARI – Kent Graham – 13/19, 133 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers
• MIA – Irving Spikes – 11 rushes, 79 yards, TD
• ARI – Larry Centers – 6 rushes, 23 yards Top receivers
• MIA – Charles Jordan – 2 receptions, 51 yards
• ARI – Frank Sanders – 8 receptions, 81 yards

Week 3: at New England Patriots

First quarter

• NE – Curtis Martin 13-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Adam Vinatieri kick). Patriots 7–0. Second quarter
• NE – Curtis Martin 1-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick). Patriots 14–0.
• NE – Ben Coates 2-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (kick failed). Patriots 20–0. Third quarter
• NE – Curtis Martin 7-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Drew Bledsoe–Curtis Martin pass). Patriots 28–0. Fourth quarter
• NE – Adam Vinatieri 31-yard field goal. Patriots 31–0.

Top passers

• ARI – Kent Graham – 9/19, 111 yards, INT
• NE – Drew Bledsoe – 21/35, 221 yards, 3 TD Top rushers
• ARI – Larry Centers – 6 rushes, 31 yards
• NE – Curtis Martin – 27 rushes, 91 yards, TD Top receivers
• ARI – Larry Centers – 5 receptions, 56 yards
• NE – Terry Glenn – 5 receptions, 66 yards

Week 4: at New Orleans Saints

First quarter

• ARI – Greg Davis 25-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0. Second quarter
• ARI – Greg Davis 25-yard field goal. Cardinals 6–0.
• NO – Brian Jones 11-yard blocked punt return (Doug Brien kick). ''Saints 7–6.''' Third quarter
• ARI – Rob Moore 20-yard pass from Kent Graham (Kent Graham–Rob Moore). Cardinals 14–7. Fourth quarter
• ARI – LeShon Johnson 56-yard run (Greg Davis kick). ''Cardinals 21–7.'''
• ARI – LeShon Johnson 70-yard run (Greg Davis kick). ''Cardinals 28–7.'''
• NO – Haywood Jeffires 23-yard pass from Jim Everett (Doug Brien kick). Cardinals 28–14.

Top passers

• ARI – Kent Graham – 11/25, 165 yards, TD
• NO – Jim Everett – 18/33, 164 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
• ARI – LeShon Johnson – 21 rushes, 214 yards, 2 TD
• NO – Ray Zellars – 12 rushes, 57 yards Top receivers
• ARI – Rob Moore – 4 receptions, 91 yards, TD
• NO – Haywood Jeffires – 2 receptions, 31 yards, TD

Week 5: vs. St. Louis Rams

First quarter

• STL – Eddie Kennison 66-yard punt return (Chip Lohmiller kick). Rams 7–0. Second quarter
• STL – Isaac Bruce 46-yard pass from Tony Banks (Chip Lohmiller kick). Rams 14–0.
• ARI – Rob Moore 24-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Rams 14–7.
• STL – Eddie Kennison 34-yard pass from Tony Banks (Chip Lohmiller kick). Rams 21–7.
• ARI – LeShon Johnson 2-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Rams 21–14. Third quarter
• STL – Isaac Bruce 49-yard pass from Tony Banks (Chip Lohmiller kick). Rams 28–14. Fourth quarter
• ARI – Larry Centers 5-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Rams 28–21.
• ARI – Frank Sanders 5-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Tied 28–28. Overtime
• ARI – Greg Davis 24-yard field goal. Cardinals 31–28.

Top passers

• STL – Tony Banks – 10/17, 186 yards, 3 TD, INT
• ARI – Kent Graham – 37/58, 366 yards, 4 TD Top rushers
• STL – Harold Green – 10 rushes, 39 yards
• ARI – LeShon Johnson – 12 rushes, 97 yards Top receivers
• STL – Isaac Bruce – 4 receptions, 117 yards, 2 TD
• ARI – Rob Moore – 9 receptions, 143 yards, TD

Week 7: at Dallas Cowboys

First quarter

• No scoring plays Second quarter
• DAL – Chris Boniol 23-yard field goal. ''Cowboys 3–0.''' Third quarter
• DAL – Emmitt Smith 3-yard run (Chris Boniol kick). Cowboys 10–0. Fourth quarter
• ARI – Greg Davis 49-yard field goal. ''Cowboys 10–3.'''
• DAL – Emmitt Smith 13-yard run (Chris Boniol kick). Cowboys 17–3.

Top passers

• ARI – Kent Graham – 16/31, 141 yards, INT
• DAL – Troy Aikman – 23/37, 199 yards, INT Top rushers
• ARI – Larry Centers – 5 rushes, 24 yards
• DAL – Emmitt Smith – 21 rushes, 112 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
• ARI – Rob Moore – 3 receptions, 45 yards
• DAL – Michael Irvin – 5 receptions, 51 yards

Week 8: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

First quarter

• ARI – Greg Davis 22-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0. Second quarter
• ARI – Larry Centers 5-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Cardinals 10–0. Third quarter
• TB – Michael Husted 41-yard field goal. Cardinals 10–3.
• ARI – Greg Davis 37-yard field goal. Cardinals 13–3. Fourth quarter
• TB – Mike Alstott 1-yard run (kick failed). Cardinals 13–9.

Top passers

• TB – Trent Dilfer – 22/35, 229 yards
• ARI – Kent Graham – 17/26, 146 yards, TD Top rushers
• TB – Reggie Brooks – 14 rushes, 43 yards
• ARI – Kent Graham – 5 rushes, 40 yards Top receivers
• TB – Courtney Hawkins – 6 receptions, 74 yards
• ARI – Frank Sanders – 4 receptions, 40 yards

Week 9: vs. New York Jets

First quarter

• NYJ – Nick Lowery 37-yard field goal. Jets 3–0. Second quarter
• NYJ – Keyshawn Johnson 34-yard pass from Frank Reich (Nick Lowery kick). Jets 10–0.
• NYJ – Richie Anderson 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick). Jets 17–0. Third quarter
• ARI – Larry Centers 1-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Jets 17–7.
• ARI – Larry Centers 2-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Jets 17–14. Fourth quarter
• NYJ – Adrian Murrell 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick). Jets 24–14.
• ARI – Rob Moore 6-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Jets 24–21.
• NYJ – Reggie Cobb 2-yard run (Nick Lowery kick). Jets 31–21.

Top passers

• NYJ – Frank Reich – 22/31, 254 yards, TD, 2 INT
• ARI – Kent Graham – 17/32, 255 yards, 3 TD, INT Top rushers
• NYJ – Adrian Murrell – 31 rushes, 199 yards, TD
• ARI – LeShon Johnson – 12 rushes, 85 yards Top receivers
• NYJ – Keyshawn Johnson – 7 receptions, 94 yards, TD
• ARI – Rob Moore – 7 receptions, 143 yards, TD

Week 10: at New York Giants

First quarter

• NYG – Brad Daluiso 31-yard field goal. ''Giants 3–0.''' Second quarter
• No scoring plays Third quarter
• NYG – Brad Daluiso 32-yard field goal. ''Giants 6–0.''' Fourth quarter
• NYG – Thomas Lewis 24-yard pass from Danny Kanell (Brad Daluiso kick). Giants 13–0.
• NYG – Brad Daluiso 45-yard field goal. ''Giants 16–0.'''
• ARI – Frank Sanders 7-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Boomer Esiason run). Giants 16–8.

Top passers

• ARI – Boomer Esiason – 20/40, 196 yards, TD, 2 INT
• NYG – Danny Kanell – 14/27, 128 yards, TD Top rushers
• ARI – LeShon Johnson – 10 rushes, 29 yards
• NYG – Rodney Hampton – 24 rushes, 94 yards Top receivers
• ARI – Frank Sanders – 5 receptions, 61 yards, TD
• NYG – Thomas Lewis – 7 receptions, 77 yards, TD

Week 11: at Washington Redskins

First quarter

• ARI – Kevin Butler 26-yard field goal. ''Cardinals 3–0.'''
• WAS – Scott Blanton 53-yard field goal. ''Tied 3–3.''' Second quarter
• WAS – Marc Logan 36-yard run (Scott Blanton kick). ''Redskins 10–3.'''
• ARI – Kevin Butler 39-yard field goal. ''Redskins 10–6.'''
• ARI – Marcus Dowdell 64-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 13–10.
• WAS – Scott Blanton 24-yard field goal. ''Tied 13–13.''' Third quarter
• WAS – Michael Westbrook 17-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 20–13.
• WAS – Terry Allen 1-yard run (Scott Blanton kick). ''Redskins 27–13.''' Fourth quarter
• ARI – Larry Centers 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). ''Redskins 27–20.'''
• WAS – Terry Allen 1-yard run (Scott Blanton kick). ''Redskins 34–20.'''
• ARI – Johnny McWilliams 13-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Redskins 34–27.
• ARI – Anthony Edwards 12-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Tied 34–34. Overtime
• ARI – Kevin Butler 32-yard field goal. ''Cardinals 37–34.'''

Top passers

• ARI – Boomer Esiason – 35/59, 522 yards, 3 TD, 4 INT
• WAS – Gus Frerotte – 18/36, 212 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
• ARI – LeShon Johnson – 20 rushes, 65 yards
• WAS – Terry Allen – 31 rushes, 124 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
• ARI – Marcus Dowdle – 3 receptions, 92 yards, TD
• WAS – Michael Westbrook – 6 receptions, 91 yards, TD

Week 12: vs. New York Giants

First quarter

• ARI – Rob Moore 6-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 7–0.
• ARI – Cedric Smith 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 14–0. Second quarter
• NYG – Brad Daluiso 25-yard field goal. Cardinals 14–3.
• ARI – Frank Sanders 2-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 21–3.
• NYG – Brad Daluiso 22-yard field goal. Cardinals 21–6. Third quarter
• NYG – Tyrone Wheatley 4-yard pass from Dave Brown (Brad Daluiso kick). Cardinals 21–13.
• ARI – LeShon Johnson 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 28–13. Fourth quarter
• NYG – Tyrone Wheatley 9-yard pass from Dave Brown (Brad Daluiso kick). Cardinals 28–20.
• ARI – Kevin Butler 18-yard field goal. Cardinals 31–20.
• NYG – Brad Daluiso 27-yard field goal. Cardinals 31–23.

Top passers

• NYG – Dave Brown – 22/41, 262 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
• ARI – Boomer Esiason – 18/27, 260 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
• NYG – Tyrone Wheatley – 13 rushes, 50 yards
• ARI – LeShon Johnson – 17 rushes, 48 yards, TD Top receivers
• NYG – Chris Calloway – 6 receptions, 95 yards
• ARI – LeShon Johnson – 2 receptions, 50 yards

Week 13: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

First quarter

• PHI – Ricky Watters 1-yard run (Gary Anderson kick). Eagles 7–0.
• ARI – Kevin Butler 21-yard field goal. Eagles 7–3. Second quarter
• PHI – Gary Anderson 44-yard field goal. Eagles 10–3.
• ARI – Leeland McElroy 4-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Tied 10–10.
• ARI – Kevin Butler 36-yard field goal. Cardinals 13–10. Third quarter
• PHI – Gary Anderson 25-yard field goal. Tied 13–13.
• ARI – Kevin Butler 27-yard field goal. Cardinals 16–13. Fourth quarter
• ARI – Pat Carter 6-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (pass failed). Cardinals 22–13.
• PHI – Ricky Watters 4-yard run (Gary Anderson kick). Cardinals 22–20.
• ARI – Larry Centers 2-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 29–20.
• PHI – Derrick Witherspoon 95-yard kickoff return (Gary Anderson kick). Cardinals 29–27.
• PHI – Gary Anderson 32-yard field goal. Eagles 30–29.
• ARI – Marcus Dowdell 24-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 36–30.

Top passers

• PHI – Ty Detmer – 21/38, 322 yards, INT
• ARI – Boomer Esiason – 24/43, 367 yards, 3 TD Top rushers
• PHI – Ricky Watters – 25 rushes, 64 yards, 2 TD
• ARI – Larry Centers – 13 rushes, 45 yards Top receivers
• PHI – Irving Fryar – 7 receptions, 131 yards
• ARI – Rob Moore – 9 receptions, 156 yards

Week 14: at Minnesota Vikings

First quarter

• MIN – Scott Sisson 38-yard field goal. ''Vikings 3–0.''' Second quarter
• MIN – Scott Sisson 26-yard field goal. ''Vikings 6–0.'''
• MIN – Amp Lee 19-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Scott Sisson kick). Vikings 13–0.
• ARI – Kevin Butler 38-yard field goal. ''Vikings 13–3.''' Third quarter
• MIN – Jake Reed 40-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Scott Sisson kick). Vikings 20–3.
• MIN – Qadry Ismail 13-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Scott Sisson kick). Vikings 27–3. Fourth quarter
• MIN – Cris Carter 4-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Scott Sisson kick). Vikings 34–3.
• ARI – Larry Centers 9-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Vikings 34–10.
• MIN – Leroy Hoard 1-yard run (Scott Sisson kick). ''Vikings 41–10.'''
• ARI – Larry Centers 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). ''Vikings 41–17.'''

Top passers

• ARI – Boomer Esiason – 26/40, 270 yards, TD, 2 INT
• MIN – Brad Johnson – 19/26, 238 yards, 4 TD Top rushers
• ARI – Larry Centers – 4 rushes, 21 yards, TD
• MIN – Leroy Hoard – 22 rushes, 94 yards, TD Top receivers
• ARI – Larry Centers – 10 receptions, 85 yards, TD
• MIN – Jake Reed – 4 receptions, 79 yards, TD

Week 15: vs. Dallas Cowboys

First quarter

• ARI – Kevin Butler 33-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0. Second quarter
• ARI – Kevin Butler 28-yard field goal. Cardinals 6–0. Third quarter
• DAL – Michael Irvin 50-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Chris Boniol kick). Cowboys 7–6. Fourth quarter
• DAL – Chris Boniol 31-yard field goal. Cowboys 10–6.

Top passers

• DAL – Troy Aikman – 15/24, 255 yards, TD
• ARI – Boomer Esiason – 18/36, 224 yards, 2 INT Top rushers
• DAL – Emmitt Smith – 27 rushes, 70 yards
• ARI – Leeland McElroy – 14 rushes, 90 yards Top receivers
• DAL – Michael Irving – 8 receptions, 198 yards, TD
• ARI – Rob Moore – 4 receptions, 94 yards

Week 16: vs. Washington Redskins

First quarter

• ARI – Larry Centers 6-yard pass from Kent Graham (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 7–0.
• WAS – Scott Blanton 20-yard field goal. Cardinals 7–3. Second quarter
• ARI – Jamir Miller 26-yard fumble return (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 14–3.
• WAS – Scott Turner 0-yard fumble return (Scott Blanton kick). Cardinals 14–10.
• WAS – Scott Blanton 22-yard field goal. Cardinals 14–13.
• WAS – Scott Blanton 23-yard field goal. Redskins 16–14. Third quarter
• WAS – Terry Allen 14-yard run (Scott Blanton kick). ''Redskins 23–14.'''
• ARI – Kevin Butler 22-yard field goal. Redskins 23–17. Fourth quarter
• ARI – Frank Sanders 21-yard pass from Kent Graham (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 24–23.
• WAS – Scott Blanton 35-yard field goal. Redskins 26–24.
• ARI – Kevin Butler 28-yard field goal. Cardinals 27–26.

Top passers

• WAS – Gus Frerotte – 22/40, 258 yards
• ARI – Kent Graham – 20/46, 232 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
• WAS – Terry Allen – 17 rushes, 69 yards, TD
• ARI – Leeland McElroy – 18 rushes, 59 yards Top receivers
• WAS – Michael Westbrook – 4 receptions, 59 yards
• ARI – Frank Sanders – 6 receptions, 82 yards, TD

Week 17: at Philadelphia Eagles

First quarter

• PHI – Mike Mamula 4-yard fumble return (Gary Anderson kick). ''Eagles 7–0.'''
• PHI – Gary Anderson 23-yard field goal. ''Eagles 10–0.'''
• PHI – Gary Anderson 22-yard field goal. ''Eagles 13–0.''' Second quarter
• PHI – Gary Anderson 43-yard field goal. ''Eagles 16–0.'''
• ARI – Kevin Butler 41-yard field goal. ''Eagles 16–3.'''
• PHI – Ricky Watters 1-yard run (Gary Anderson kick). ''Eagles 23–3.''' Third quarter
• ARI – Kevin Butler 41-yard field goal. ''Eagles 23–6.'''
• PHI – Gary Anderson 26-yard field goal. ''Eagles 26–6.''' Fourth quarter
• PHI – Gary Anderson 39-yard field goal. ''Eagles 29–6.'''
• ARI – Leeland McElroy 22-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (kick failed). Eagles 29–12.
• ARI – Aeneas Williams 65-yard interception return (Kevin Butler kick). Eagles 29–19.

Top passers

• ARI – Boomer Esiason – 12/26, 138 yards, TD
• PHI – Ty Detmer – 20/32, 216 yards, INT Top rushers
• ARI – Leeland McElroy – 9 rushes, 45 yards
• PHI – Ricky Watters – 31 rushes, 99 yards, TD Top receivers
• ARI – Larry Centers – 6 receptions, 43 yards
• PHI – Chris Jones – 5 receptions, 65 yards

Standings

References

References

1. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/crd/1996.htm 1996 Arizona Cardinals]
2. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/tgl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=game&year_min=1940&year_max=2012&game_type=R&playoff_round=&game_num_min=0&game_num_max=99&week_num_min=0&week_num_max=99&game_day_of_week=&game_time=&time_zone=&game_location=&surface=&roof=&game_result=&overtime=&league_id=&team_id=crd&opp_id=nyj&conference_game=&division_game=&tm_is_playoff=&opp_is_playoff=&tm_is_winning=&opp_is_winning=&tm_scored_first=&tm_led=&tm_trailed=&c1stat=&c1comp=gt&c1val=&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=game_date&order_by_asc=Y Arizona Cardinals v New York Jets]
3. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/blog/?p=521 History of the NFL’s Structure and Formats]