With the news that 7-year veteran Marcel Shipp was cut today by the Arizona Cardinals, it got me to thinking. In these times of free agency and seemingly no loyalty toward players or ownership, 7 years is a long time for one player to spend with a team in any sport. Sure, we’d all like our athletes to start and end their careers with one team, like Cal Ripken Jr, George Brett, Walter Payton and John Stockton. But it just doesn’t happen anymore.

Then I started thinking, what Phoenix athletes have been around the longest without playing for another franchise? Here are the fruits of my musings…

Shane Doan - the dean of Phoenix athletes. The Captain of the Coyotes is the last original Coyote. He was a 20-year old youngster when the Coyotes moved from Winnipeg in 1996, and he’s been here ever since. Twelve seasons with the franchise, eleven here in Phoenix and with the 5-year contract extension he signed in February ‘07, he’ll be here for a long time to come.

Wendall Gaines - You might be asking yourself, “who’s Wendall Gaines?” Wendall Gaines has toiled in the Arena Football League with the Arizona Rattlers for 9 seasons. After playing 4 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals as a tight end and a defensive lineman from 1993 to 1996 and then bouncing around to several other NFL teams for the next few years, Gaines signed with the Rattlers. Gaines has scored 14 touchdows through the years, and has registered a Rattler-record 23.5 sacks. Not bad for a guy you’ve probably never heard of.

Adrian Wilson - A-Dub has been with the Cardinals longer than any other player, entering his 8th year with the team. He’s also arguably one of the best players in team history as well. Wilson scored two 99-yard touchdowns in 2006, one on an interception return and one on a fumble return. Both are team records. He also represented the Cardinals at the Pro Bowl after the 2006 season, when he finished with 85 total tackles, 4 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries.

Amare Stoudemire - It seems like yesterday that Amare was drafted out of Cypress Creek High School, and promptly went on to win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year Award. But it was six years ago. In that 6 years, Stat has played in 3 NBA All-Star games.

Brandon Webb - Webb is tied with Amare on the list, with 6 seasons of service in the Valley. Webb came up originally in 2003, and opened some eyes, going 10-9 with a 2.84 ERA, and finished 3rd in the National League Rookie of the Year Award. In 2004, he didn’t get much help offensively or defensively, and his record plummeted to 7-16. But he’s bounced back nicely, going 63-34, making 3 All-Star teams, and winning a Cy Young Award since.

Diana Taurasi - D.T. has logged 5 seasons already with the Phoenix Mercury, winning a Rookie of the Year Award in 2004, and leading the Merc to their first ever WNBA Championship in 2007. And she’s currently on hiatus with the Mercury as she and the rest of the USA Women’s Basketball team attempt to bring home the gold from Beijing.

Join the discussion at The Fanster Forums. Arizona Sports 24/7.