Notes from the press box at Bank of America Stadium for Panthers - Cardinals.
It's an easily arguable point that Larry Fitzgerald was the main reason why the Arizona Cardinals are headed to their first NFC Championship game in franchise history. (You could also say "Jake Delhomme is the real answer, but there's no need to be a jerkstore.) Fitzy put on a masterful first-half show, compiling a franchise record for receiving yards before the Panthers even had time to make adjustments.
Usually he compiles these stats quietly. But the word from he and his teammates is that Larry changed his normal behavior on the sidelines and amped up his attitude.
Just ask Antonio Smith:
Normally, he doesn't [talk much] and today he did. And when somebody who is normally quiet finally says something and it means something and they are showing it with their play, it flows through everybody. I think everybody felt it and everybody turned their motor up.Fitzgerald acknowledged as much -- insofar as the talking, although he played it down to a degree.
I get excited every once in a while, but I try to keep my cool and make sure I am being accountable for myself and to my teammates.Now, whether Larry's performance stemmed from his dad's presence (he was in the press room for a Minnesota newspaper), his boosted emotion, or the fact that the Panthers apparently, according to Anquan Boldin, "stuck to the same scheme" defensively is hard to tell. More than likely, it's a combination of the three, but after watching the Cats get torched over and over again, it's not that tough to give most of the "credit" to the Carolina coaching staff.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-11-2009 @ 8:22AM
Mario said...
Someone on the team should tell Fitzgerald how stupid he looks with his 2 gloves stuck / hanging from his face mask. What an idiot!
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1-11-2009 @ 8:40AM
Darnell said...
Chil, Mario; you never played football................me and the world can tell by the comment you wrote! lol please dont ever write anything like that again, you look like the idiot. But its cool. Enjoy your day
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1-11-2009 @ 11:39AM
AZ said...
OK....., I said that the Cards were going to beat Carolina, I didn't expect that score, but it didn't suprise me either. Go Eagles, give us another Home game, we are HOTTTTT......Go Cardinals
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1-11-2009 @ 9:14AM
Lynn said...
To Mario, re: Fitz' hanging his gloves from his helmet ~ who CARES what he LOOKS like, the man is probably the BEST to EVER play the game! Name ONE other player who has EVER graced a football field who has the proprioceptive skills (awareness of where the body is in space) that Fitz has?!?!
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1-11-2009 @ 10:36AM
Steve said...
Arizona continues to amaze! They remind me most of the '99 Rams except that Edge is not the versatile back that Marshall Faulk was. Still, with the one exception of one poor throw which was intercepted, Kurt Warner played like he did 10 years ago. The Arizona o-line is giving him the time he needs to get the ball wherever he wants to and when he's able to do that there's no one better. Go Cards!! I'd love to see you guys in the SB!
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1-11-2009 @ 10:33AM
Buzz Cisler said...
Mario must be a disgruntled Cowboys fan! What an idiot! Gloves on his helmet!? He could wear his shoes form his extentions and he's still better than Mario's chioce for receiver of the century!
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1-11-2009 @ 11:17AM
jvsiii3 said...
He hangs his gloves from his facemask as well as his mouth piece so he doesn't lose them dumbass. The gloves to keep them togather and the mouthpiece so it doesn't get dirty when he's not using it. God you're stupid.
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