Adrian Wilson gets some press recognition

Former Wolfpacker and current Arizona Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson got some positive press Thursday courtesy of SI.com's John Lopez, who named Wilson the most indispensable member of the Arizona Cardinals.

SI.com's take:

The Cardinals never have had an identity, or at least not a positive one. Wilson embodies everything a franchise craves, within and outside the locker room. He leads. He's durable. He's a winner. He shows everyone else the work ethic necessary to succeed. And he's loyal, staying with the Cards despite opportunities to leave until he saw a Super Bowl run happen.

It's not a stretch to say that Wilson is among the most, if not the most important player in Cardinals history. He certainly is the most important since the move to Arizona in 1988.

He is underappreciated outside of Arizona. But imagine the raves and tickets to Canton that already would be punched for him if he had played in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles? Only nine players in NFL history have recorded as many as 20 sacks and 20 interceptions in a career. Wilson will become the 10th in 2009, presuming he stays healthy.

I, for one, am glad to see Adrian getting the credit he deserves for being one of the top safety's in the NFL. And I'm also glad to see that a writer can look past Larry Fitzgerald and others. Obviously Fitzgerald is talented and for many people the best WR in the league, but defense wins championships. It's glad to see a writer with his head screwed on straight. I've gotten too used to the N&O and WRAL clowns.

The article, which makes great points about several players in both the NFC and AFC who the average fan might not necessarily know, is worth the read. It also got me to thinking -- is Adrian Wilson the second best defensive player to come out of N.C. State in the last 20 years? Is he the best? I would assume most people would take Mario Williams, but maybe not. It's great to see that Adrian is playing as well as he has over the last three seasons while also being a great member of the Cardinals off the field.