Broncos vs. Cardinals: Blast from the past, Part II

There are more connections between the Broncos and the Cardinals than just a "best" game and a "worst" game. Let's take a look at nine players who played for both Denver and Arizona.

1. Charley Johnson, QB

Johnson played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1961 to 1969. He posted a 26-28-5 record as a starter. He completed 50.3% of his passes, amassing 14,298 yards. He threw 108 touchdown passes and 110 interceptions. He was sacked 11 times. His overall passer rating as a Cardinal was 69.6%.

From 1972 to 1975, Johnson was the starting quarterback for the Broncos. As a Bronco, he recorded a record of 20-18-3. He completed 53.3% of his passes, amassing 7238 yards. He threw 52 touchdown passes and 52 interceptions. He was sacked 84 times. His overall passer rating as a Bronco was 73.1%.

He is noted for leading the Broncos to their first ever winning season in 1973 when the Broncos finished with a 7-5-2 record.

2. Steve Beuerlein, QB

Beuerlein played for the Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals from 1993 to 1994. He posted a 9-12-0 record as a starter. He completed 57.7% of his passes, amassing 4709 yards. He threw 23 touchdown passes and 26 interceptions. He was sacked 49 times. His overall passer rating as a Cardinal was 74.6%.

From 2002 to 2003, Beuerlein was in Denver, serving mostly as a backup quarterback. He did compile a 2-3-0 record as a starter. He completed 56.1% of his passes, amassing 1314 yards. He threw 8 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. He was sacked 21 times. His overall passer rating as a Bronco was 72.2%.

3. Garrison Hearst, RB

Hearst played for the Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals from 1993 to 1995. He appeared in 30 games with 20 starts. He rushed 397 times for 1503 yards. He scored 3 rushing touchdowns. He caught 41 passes for 310 yards and 1 receiving touchdown.

In 2004, Hearst appeared in 7 games as a Bronco with 0 starts. He rushed 20 times for 81 yards and 1 rushing touchdown. He caught 2 passes for 20 yards.

4. Jake Plummer, QB

Plummer played for the Arizona Cardinals from 1997 to 2002. He posted a 30-52-0 record as a starter. He completed 55.9% of his passes, amassing 17,622 yards. He threw 90 touchdown passes and 114 interceptions. He was sacked 215 times. His overall passer rating as a Cardinal was 69.0%. He led the Cardinals to the playoffs once (in 1998) winning a wildcard game but losing in the divisional round.

From 2003 to 2006, Plummer was the starting quarterback for the Broncos. As a Bronco, he recorded a record of 39-15-0. He completed 59.1% of his passes, amassing 11,631 yards. He threw 71 touchdown passes and 41 interceptions. He was sacked 69 times. His overall passer rating as a Bronco was 84.3%. He led the Broncos to the playoffs in each of his first three seasons, losing in the wildcard round in 2003 and 2004 before leading Denver to the AFC Championship game in 2005 -- a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Plummer was a controversial quarterback while in Denver, but time has been favorable to The Snake. The man who broke some of John Elway's records and got the Broncos back to the playoffs is remembered fondly now by most in Denver, and who doesn't want to play a game of Handball with the guy?

5. Simeon Rice, DE

Rice played for the Arizona Cardinals from 1996 to 2000. He appeared in 79 games with 73 starts. He recorded 51.5 sacks and 1 interception. He forced 9 fumbles and had 7 fumble recoveries. He made 177 tackles and assisted on 43 more.

In 2007, Rice appeared in 6 games for the Broncos with 1 start. He recorded 2 passes defensed, five tackles and 3 assists on a tackle.

6. Renaldo Hill, DB

Hill played for the Arizona Cardinals from 2001 to 2004. He appeared in 55 games with 32 starts. He recorded 4.5 sacks and 8 interceptions. He returned 1 interception for a touchdown. He recorded 30 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. He made 162 tackles and assisted on 28 tackles.

From 2009 to 2010, Hill played for the Broncos. He appeared in 31 games with 31 starts. He recorded 2 sacks and 4 interceptions. He recorded 10 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery. He made 98 tackles and assisted on 24 tackles.

7. Bertrand Berry, DE

Berry played for the Broncos from 2001 to 2003. He appeared in 46 games with 17 starts. He recorded 20 sacks. He also recorded 6 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles and 6 sumble recoveries. He made 56 tackles and assisted on 18 tackles.

From 2004 to 2009, Berry played for the Arizona Cardinals. He appeared in 72 games with 52 starts. He recorded 40 sacks, 11 passes defensed, 11 forced fumbles and 8 fumble recoveries. He made 125 tackles and assisted on 33 tackles.

8. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, DB

Rodgers-Cromartie played for the Arizona Cardinals from 2008 to 2010. He appeared in 48 games with 43 starts. He recorded 13 interceptions with 4 returned for touchdowns. He also recorded 61 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery. He made 126 tackles and assisted on 8 tackles.

In 2013, Rodgers-Cromartie appeared in 15 games as a Bronco with 13 starts. He recorded 3 interceptions -- with one returned for a touchdown and 19 passes defensed. He made 33 tackles and assisted on 6 tackles.

His one season with the Broncos was thought to be his resurgence, and the Broncos nearly signed him to a longer-term contract this offseason, but opted for Aqib Talib instead.

9. Paris Lenon, LB

Lenon played for the Arizona Cardinals from 2010 to 2012. He appeared in 48 games with 48 starts. He recorded 7 sacks, 3 interceptions 12 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. He made 232 tackles and assisted on 89 tackles.

In 2013, Lenon appeared in 14 games as a Bronco with 6 starts. He recorded 2 passes defensed, 16 tackles and 6 assists on tackles.

10. Mike Leach, LS

Leach is the Cardinals' current longsnapper. He played for the Broncos from 2002-2008. Do longsnappers acquire statistics? He was always a good one.

There are the ones that I know was able to discover. If you know of any other players that played for both Denver and Arizona, please add them in the comments section.

Go Broncos!!!!!

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