In 2005, he had more sacks (eight) in a season than any other defensive back in history, or at least since the league made the sack an official statistic in 1982.
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| Adrian Wilson knows he'll get his due when the Cardinals start winning. (Getty Images) |
So why is it that outside of the Phoenix area, one would be hard pressed to find many football fans who know the name of Arizona Cardinals strong safety Adrian Wilson?
"I think a lot of it has to do with the fact I play out West," Wilson said.
Oh yeah, one other thing, too.
"We haven't won," Wilson said.
That combination is why Wilson is the best player in the league that most don't know about.
Mention the safety position in the NFL and Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, Brian Dawkins and Roy Williams are often mentioned as the game's best.
Believe this: Adrian Wilson is right at the top with all of them -- and he's better than Williams, who benefits from a big hit or two and by the fact he plays on a team with a star on the side of its helmet.
"It's all just motivation for me," Wilson said. "I know I'm in that class. But I just have to keep on getting better for people to realize that I am. If we start winning, then people will know me."
Wilson's eight sacks tied him for 24th in the league last year with defensive ends Terrell Suggs of the Ravens, linebacker DeMarcus Ware of the Cowboys and defensive end Greg Ellis of the Cowboys. The mark also led the Cardinals.
He had more sacks than noted specialists such as the Jevon Kearse of the Eagles and Mike Rucker of the Panthers, who each had 7½ in 2005.
"And I had four called back," Wilson said.
