Derek Anderson, Richard Bartel, Max Hall ...
For nearly 10 years, Larry Fitzgerald has served as the constant half of Arizona’s best throw-and-catch combination. The other half? A revolving door of quarterbacks that has kept Fitzgerald studying the roster along with the playbook to keep the names straight.
Fitzgerald has been on the receiving end of touchdown passes from 15 quarterbacks. That number speaks to an instability at the position that has saddled the Cardinals with a losing record since the skinny, soft-spoken rookie with the trendsetting dreadlocks arrived in town.
Arizona did break through with a Super Bowl gig after a 9-7 season that raised the question, “How did they get here?” Fitzgerald has basked in one other play-off game, a loss in the wild-card round, making him among the players whose individual honours are disproportionate with team success.
... Brian Hoyer, Kevin Kolb, Shaun King ...
A seven-time Pro Bowler, Fitzgerald raised his career reception total last weekend to 814, tied for 28th in league history and seventh among active players. If a pattern holds, the figure will go higher on Sunday in Philadelphia. He has torched the Eagles in five previous games with 35 catches, nine for touchdowns.
“He’s probably the best receiver in the league,” said Eagles defensive coordinator Billy Davis, who saw Fitzgerald up close for four seasons as a Cardinals assistant.
“He’s one of the strongest reach-out-and-snatch-the-ball guys out there. He’s got such a drive to succeed and catch the football every time.”
... Matt Leinart, Ryan Lindley, Josh McCown ...
Fitzgerald has confessed to focussing early in his career on shiny statistics and all-star recognition more than team achievements.
With an attitude adjustment, he became the face of the franchise, mentoring callow teammates and withholding opinions on management’s inability to settle the quarterback situation.
The season began, as it often does, with someone new. Also, someone old: Carson Palmer, an 11-year veteran playing for his third team in four years.
... John Navarre, Carson Palmer, Tim Rattay ...
Even old hands require time to get acclimated. The Cardinals’ offence sputtered for half the season before coalescing.
Arizona has averaged 30.3 points in the past four games as Fitzgerald, 30, became the youngest player to reel in 800 catches.
“When things weren’t going well, I knew they would,” Palmer said. “I knew we would start trusting each other and get on the same page.”
In some years, the quarterback was so new to the system that Fitzgerald would break down plays in the huddle or address the offence as its leader. He has gladly ceded the role to Palmer.
... Brian St Pierre, John Skelton, Kurt Warner ...
During a recent TV interview, Fitzgerald turned quiz-show contestant when asked to identity the 15 quarterbacks.
He sailed through a dozen, counting each on his fingers, when the host broke in and gave the others. Assessing the frequent turnover at the position that usually dooms a team, Fitzgerald said on-air, “I don’t make a big deal out of it.”
As long as the Cardinals win, he would be content catching balls from any what’s-his-name.
sports@thenational.ae
