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High-Flying Fitzgerald Keeps Low Profile Larry Fitzgerald rarely drops the ball, except metaphorically. The media-shy Cardinals wide receiver frequently turns down opportunities to enhance his Q rating. A national audience caught a glimpse of this in the final minutes of the team’s divisional-playoff victory over Carolina on Saturday, when celebratory sideline shots
included Fitzgerald shaking his head at a team employee who was sharing Fox television’s request for a postgame on-the-field interview. Why, you want to scream. You are one of the NFL’s top three receivers. You’re well-spoken, well-rounded, well-traveled. You’ve hiked Machu Picchu and bungee-jumped in Auckland, New
Zealand, but it’s Madison Avenue that could be your most rewarding destination. Who are you, Larry Fitzgerald? “Just a guy who doesn’t like that (media spotlight) at all, to be honest with you,” he said Wednesday. “I love everything about the game. I love being in the office, being with coaches and the training staff, but not that. Not that kind of attention.” Too late. The Cardinals’ unlikely ride into Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against Philadelphia has thrust him into a national spotlight he both rejects and craves. He longs to have a role in NFL folklore but rarely
left: Larry Fitzgerald has a low-key warm-up before the playoff game with Charlotte, which he follows with a high-octane performance. David Kadlubowski/The Arizona Republic
far left: Fitzgerald tries to convince an official he scored against the Rams, but he gains only some turf, not the TD. David Kadlubowski/ The Arizona Republic
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wants to talk about it. He was fined $10,000 after one game for leaving before the postgame media session. “I think some of it is that he has seen his dad and other journalists go hard after athletes,” said Larry Fitzgerald Sr., a longtime radio and newspaper personality in the Minneapolis area. “We’ve had conversations about that,” said Seattle-based agent Paul Lawrence, one of Fitzgerald’s representatives. “He was raised to let your play do the talking.” Fitzgerald would have plenty to discuss. He’s the NFL’s version of a Renaissance man, frequently traveling alone around the world in the off-season. He brought a chef to his house to teach him to cook. His play says plenty, as well. Fitzgerald’s fifth season, highlighted by his eight catches and 166 yards during Saturday’s 33-13 victory, earned him his third Pro Bowl invitation. His 400th career catch on Nov. 23 against the New York Giants made Fitzgerald, 25, the youngest receiver in NFL history to reach the milestone. “He has three, four guys around him and he still makes these catches that are the most outstanding I’ve ever seen,” Cardinals receiver Early Doucet said. Throwing to Fitzgerald is one of quarterback Kurt Warner’s perks but also one of his challenges. Warner is known as one of the league’s best progression passers — he goes through his reads 102
until he finds the best target — but Fitzgerald’s ability to outjump coverage turns a low-percentage opportunity into a high one. “With a guy like Larry it’s better to stay on your first read even if he appears covered, but it goes against Kurt’s nature,” offensive coordinator Todd Haley said. After watching game tape, Fitzgerald is hard on himself, saying he is often “disgusted at some of the mistakes I still make.” He has forged a close friendship with
Warner because of the stability the quarterback represents. “It can be lonely out here,” Fitzgerald said. “I’m a single male and kind of a local celebrity, I guess. I have the finances to do what I want to do, but Kurt has everything you could ask for: a family, kids. When things go out of whack, he’s the guy I rely on.” Warner respects how Fitzgerald handles himself after touchdowns. After he scores, he quickly flips the ball to an official. “My mom wouldn’t have it any other way,” Fitzgerald said. He keeps in his wallet the driver’s license of his mother, Carol, who died in 2003 after a seven-year battle with cancer. He looks at it, he said, every day. He developed his philanthropic side from his mother, an investigator for Minnesota’s Department of Health. He often accompanied
her during home visits and met people battling HIV and AIDS. He remains involved in several projects that help raise money and awareness for the diseases. Other days, he followed his father to work. He was often in the company of Minnesota’s top athletes, including baseball player Kirby Puckett, basketball player Kevin Garnett and football player Cris Carter. Fitzgerald was a ball boy for the
Minnesota Vikings and forged a relationship with then-coach Dennis Green, who later made him the third pick overall in the 2004 draft as the Cardinals coach. In March, the team rewarded Fitzgerald with a four-year, $40 million contract that included a rare (for the NFL) $30 million guarantee, a generous offer from an organization long considered tight with its money. Unlike many athletes who let
down after a contract year, Fitzgerald is playing his best football. He has cracked the door open on his life, but only slightly. Some describe him as shy. Others say he is cautious after bad press, which included a paternity-lawsuit action filed in 2007. He now has a relationship with his son. He remains a bit of a mystery. He’s happy to keep it that way. – Paola Boivin Jan. 14, 2009
opposite top: Fitzgerald’s dreadlocks are as much a trademark as his leaping receptions. David Kadlubowski/ The Arizona Republic
opposite bottom: Fitzgerald’s ability to navigate through traffic allows him to pile up yardage after his catches. David Kadlubowski/ The Arizona Republic
right: Fitzgerald’s performance in 2008 gives him, and Cardinals fans, much to smile about as his record playoff run brings victories and national attention. David Wallace/ The Arizona Republic
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Cards Seize Win, Respect NFC Wildcard: Cardinals 30, Falcons 24 | University of Phoenix Stadium
The way the Cardinals saw it, their bandwagon entering the playoffs was nearly empty, as if someone had put “one and done” on the destination sign above the cab. They were called the worst division winner in history. A blowout loss to the Falcons in the first round was predicted by some. And it didn’t go unnoticed that it took
two deadline extensions and a deal with a pool company to sell out University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday and avoid a local television blackout. Maybe that’s to be expected when most people didn’t even have a television the last time you played a home playoff game. The Cardinals made history just by taking the field in their first
home playoff game since 1947. They made it a successful chapter by beating the Falcons 30-24 in front of a sellout crowd of 62,848. “We had a lot of doubters out there, a lot of people saying we didn’t have a chance,” free safety Antrel Rolle said. “I took it very personal when we have people in our backyard telling us we’re one and done.” Every time they clicked on the television or clicked on a Web site last week, the Cardinals heard and saw slights, either real or perceived. At least some of them did. “I don’t have cable at home, so I don’t hear all that,” fullback Ter-
left: A fan’s sign reflects what many thought the forecast would be for when the Cardinals might finally win in the playoffs. David Kadlubowski/ The Arizona Republic
far left: With pressure on the defense, Karlos Dansby, Gerald Hayes, Monty Beisel, Victor Hobson, Pago Tagafau and Bertrand Berry prepare to step up. Rob Schumacher/ The Arizona Republic
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relle Smith said. “It just feels good to get a win not only for the team, but for the whole organization. It’s ’09, things are going to be fine.” Lapping it up
It’s hard to beat a calendar year that begins with the head coach taking a victory lap around the stadium after his first career playoff victory. “I’m a little tired from that,” said Ken Whisenhunt. He won’t have much time to recover. Coaches will start preparing today for the team’s secondround opponent, which will be determined by the outcome of the Philadelphia-Minnesota game. If the Vikings win, the Cardinals will play at the top-seeded Giants on Sunday at 11 a.m. If the Eagles win, the Cardinals play at Carolina, the No. 2 seed, on Saturday evening at 6:15. “I know next week (media) won’t give us a chance, and that’s cool,” defensive end Darnell Dockett
top: The fans’ support is deafening as Anquan Bolding completes a long touchdown reception. David Kadlubowski/The Arizona Republic
bottom: Larry Fitzgerald hauls in a Kurt Warner pass late in the first quarter. Fitzgerald caught 6 passes for 101 yards and the game’s first TD. David Kadlubowski/The Arizona Republic
opposite: Edgerrin James turns in his second-straight solid rushing game, going for 73 yards on 16 carries. Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic
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said. “We’re just going to study and work hard and feed off of everyone who doesn’t give us a chance.” It was hard to give the Cardinals a chance, given how they played down the stretch. They lost four of their last six and were blown out in
three of those games. On Saturday, however, they conquered some familiar demons. They ran the ball effectively, with Edgerrin James gaining 73 yards on 16 carries. They stopped the run, limiting the Falcons to 60 yards on 24 attempts. They didn’t
collapse after mistakes, and they had just one turnover. “I think the thing that we did that was most exciting was that we responded,” Whisenhunt said. “Now we have to move forward, not get excited that this is the biggest game and lose the edge that
we have had the last two weeks.” There were more switchbacks in the game than on a mountain road. The Cardinals led 14-3 early in the second quarter then watched as the Falcons dominated the rest of the half to lead 17-14 at halftime. Refocused, ready
In the locker room, the Cardinals took “a deep breath,” defensive end Bertrand Berry said, and collected themselves. “We didn’t fold up the tent,” Whisenhunt said. Instead, they brought down the house with a defensive play. The game pivoted on the second snap of the third quarter, when Dockett jumped quarterback Matt Ryan’s snap and reached running back Michael Turner before the ball did. The aborted handoff popped into the air and into the hands of free safety Antrel Rolle, who returned it 27 yards for a touchdown that gave the Cardinals a 21-17 lead. “He kind of stuck with the same snap count, and there was a gap in there that was big,” Dockett said. Dockett’s wasn’t the only big defensive play. End Antonio Smith sacked Ryan in the end zone for a safety in the fourth quarter, and the Cardinals intercepted two of Ryan’s passes. Turner, who gained 1,699 yards this season, had only 42 yards on 18 carries. With the running game shut down, the Falcons had to put 107
the game in the hands of their rookie quarterback. “I think Matt would like to have some throws back, but it’s a new experience for him,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. The game started with big offensive plays. The Cardinals scored on a 42-yard pass from Kurt Warner to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald in the first quarter and on a 71-yard pass to Anquan Boldin in the second. Boldin suffered a hamstring injury on the play, and left the game after a couple of more snaps. His status for next weekend is unknown. Dockett’s forced fumble jumpstarted the Cardinals. Behind the running of James, the Cardinals went on a 14-play, 76-yard touchdown drive near the end of the third quarter. That, combined with Smith’s safety, gave the Cardinals a 30-17 lead. The Falcons (11-6) pulled within six points with 4:19 left, but the Cardinals ran the clock out, with Warner throwing for three first downs, the last to tight end Stephen Spach, who was signed just before Halloween. “Who would have thunk it?” James said. “That’s what it is all about, doing things people don’t expect you to do.” – Kent Somers Jan. 4, 2009
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Play of the Game The setup: The Cardinals had a 14-3 lead but watched the Falcons move the ball on them at will in the second quarter to take a 17-14 lead at the half. The momentum had shifted, and Atlanta had the ball to start the third quarter. The situation: Looking to control the clock and go on another long drive, Atlanta seemed determined to give the ball to Michael Turner and let him grind out yardage. The call: On the second play of the third quarter, the Falcons called a running play for Turner, but Darnell Dockett burst into the backfield, forcing a fumble on the exchange from Matt Ryan, and the ball popped up and right into the hands of safety Antrel Rolle, who returned it for a 27-yard touchdown.
The impact: The touchdown, the first by the Cardinals defense in the team’s playoff history, gave Arizona a 21-17 lead and shifted the momentum. The Cardinalsoffense went on a 76-yard drive that chewed up nearly eight minutes capped by a touchdown run by Tim Hightower for an 11-point lead. The quote: “I just duckslapped him (guard Harvey Dahl). I needed to make a play. We needed a spark And that was the play that turned the whole thing around. I couldn’t have done it without Antrel. He was right there and picked the ball up and scored, and we needed it.” – Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett – Bob McManaman
left: Darnell Dockett celebrates as the defense scores one of the Cardinals’ two third-quarter touchdowns en route to building a 28-17 lead.
opposite bottom: Falcons rookie QB Matt Ryan faces constant pressure during the game, leading to a pair of interceptions. Rob Schumacher/
Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic
opposite top: Larry Fitzgerald soars to bring in a 42-yard pass for a touchdown on a trick play in the first quarter. David Kadlubowski/ The Arizona Republic
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left: Even without his helmet, LB Karlos Dansby refuses to loosen his grip on Falcons RB Michael Turner. David Wallace/The Arizona Republic far left: Falcons WR Roddy White tries to elude Dominique RodgersCromartie. Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic below: Falcons defenders can’t catch Tim Hightower, who scoots around the left end for a third-quarter TD. Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic
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left: Bertrand Berry shows his emotions after a tackle. David Wallace/ The Arizona Republic
opposite: Berry leads the celebration after the defense sacks QB Matt Ryan for a safety in the fourth quarter. Rob Schumacher/ The Arizona Republic
following top: Edgerrin James shares the joy of victory with Cardinals’ fans after the game. David Kadlubowski/The Arizona Republic
following left: Coach Ken Whisenhunt congratulates owner Bill Bidwill after the team’s second playoff win in 60 years. Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic
following middle: DE Antonio Smith celebrates the Cardinals’ rousing victory. Rob Schumacher/ The Arizona Republic
following right: Coach Ken Whisenhunt takes a victory lap around University of Phoenix Stadium. Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic
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