In the realm of former Wolfpacker news, Arizona Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson has been voted to the Associated Press All-Pro 1st team. This is the first time the nine-year vet has been voted to the All-Pro team and based on his performance during the last few season, it likely won’t be the last.
During the 2009 season he recorded 74 tackles, five interceptions and 13 pass deflections for a Cardinals defense which ranks in the middle of the pack in the NFL in the four most important categories — points, total yards, pass yards and rush yards. 10 of Wilson’s 74 tackles were for loss. He, like many other strong safeties, plays at the line of scrimmage a lot and gets the chance to make plays in the backfield trying to stop the run and rush the passer.
Perhaps more important than any stat Wilson has compiled is his leadership of the Cardinals defense. He is the quarterback of that unit and has been — quietly — Â for a few years now.
Wilson and the rest of the Cardinals will need to be on their A game this weekend when the Cards travel to New Orleans to take on the offensive-minded (slight understatement?) Saints. If ageless wonder Kurt Warner plays like he did against the Packers in the wild card round, I like Arizona’s chances.
On a side note, Adrian Wilson has to weigh more than 226 lbs., which is his listed weight on his NFL player profile. He looks like he might be 240.
Here’s an article from the Winston-Salem Journal from more than a year ago about Wilson’s life both on and off the field.
When Adrian Wilson isn’t making big hits as the Arizona Cardinals’ strong safety, he can often be found at a designer shoe store that he owns in Scottsdale.
The name of the store? High Point .
It’s partly a tribute to his home town, where he starred at High Point Andrews before going on to N.C. State and ultimately to the Cardinals as a third-round pick in 2001. But there’s more to the name than just that.
You must be logged in to post a comment.