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Notebook: With Boldin out, defenses will try to focus on Fitzgerald
By DARREN URBAN
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald must find ways to get open with defenses able to focus on him while Anquan Boldin is injured.
With Anquan Boldin out with a hip injury, Larry Fitzgerald had season highs in receptions (10) and yards (120) against Pittsburgh last weekend.
But as Boldin’s injury lingers -- he missed practice again Thursday and seems unlikely to play Sunday in St. Louis – the question is not necessarily whether Fitzgerald can do it again but if the Rams will let him.
Last year, when Boldin was trying to give it a go with Fitzgerald out because of a hamstring injury, Boldin had 12 receptions in an exceptional game against a good defense. In Boldin’s case, it was against Chicago.
But the next two weeks, Boldin had just four catches in each totaling 106 yards.
While the current offense of coach Ken Whisenhunt is in a much better place than last year’s version at the time (Dennis Green’s group struggled to run and were starting an inexperienced Matt Leinart), defenses will almost certainly be keying on Fitzgerald.
“You know that on the passing plays you are pretty much always going to be the first or second read, and you will get your opportunities,” Fitzgerald said. “It is hard for somebody to just take you out of it because (coaches) will be moving you around. But that is the disadvantage of not having Q out there. You definitely see a difference when Q is out there.”
Fitzgerald said he thought the Steelers did play their defense a little differently early in the game to watch him, although that loosened up as the game went along.
“Sometimes in regular down and distances, (defenses) will have a tendency to cheat the coverages to a guy,” Whisenhunt said.
NO UPGRADE FOR Q OR LEVI
The Cardinals have just two players hurt, but neither seemed any closer to playing Thursday. Boldin was, in Whisenhunt’s words, “moving around better” but he still has a slight limp and the most work he had Thursday was helping move one of the portable water stations during practice.
Tackle Levi Brown (ankle) also is sitting out. He also technically remains day-to-day, but as Whisenhunt was critiquing Brown’s replacement, Elton Brown, the coach sounded as if he expected Elton Brown to play in St. Louis.
“There were a few things (Elton) has to clean up,” Whisenhunt said. “This will be a test with the noise, especially with the speed rusher (Leonard Little) they have over there. I am hoping he has another week when he can play solid.”
THE START OF SOMETHING NEW?
Leinart acknowledged that the way he finished the game against Pittsburgh – coming in to lead the Cardinals on a game-clinching drive in the fourth quarter, including a couple of big completions – will help him going forward.
“I played a quarter then sat out the second and third and then came in really when it mattered the most to put the game away,” Leinart said. “It was definitely a confidence-builder for me to go in in that situation and execute and do well when the guys were counting on me.”
Whisenhunt has said repeatedly the no-huddle part of the offense led by Kurt Warner can be a part of the game plan every week, but he has also said that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be used.
In his only game against the Rams, Leinart posted a 100.3 passer rating in a 34-20 victory in St. Louis.
EXTRA POINTS
The Rams had 13 players listed on their injury report Thursday, including four players who are already listed as out (running back Steven Jackson, offensive lineman Adam Goldberg, linebacker Raonall Smith and receiver Dane Looker) and two others (receiver Isaac Bruce and safety Corey Chavous) who have not practiced at all for two days and are not expected to play. And that doesn’t include quarterback Marc Bulger, who has been benched because of sore ribs, or cornerback Tye Hill, who still is iffy after hurting his back. …
The Cardinals have compiled 12 sacks this season, but have only allowed four. The difference of plus-8 is tied for second in the NFL with the New England Patriots (11 sacks for, three against). Only the New York Giants’ plus-10 (16 sacks for, six sacks against) is better.
Contact Darren Urban at [email protected]. Posted 10/4/07
http://www.azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=1969
By DARREN URBAN
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Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald must find ways to get open with defenses able to focus on him while Anquan Boldin is injured.
With Anquan Boldin out with a hip injury, Larry Fitzgerald had season highs in receptions (10) and yards (120) against Pittsburgh last weekend.
But as Boldin’s injury lingers -- he missed practice again Thursday and seems unlikely to play Sunday in St. Louis – the question is not necessarily whether Fitzgerald can do it again but if the Rams will let him.
Last year, when Boldin was trying to give it a go with Fitzgerald out because of a hamstring injury, Boldin had 12 receptions in an exceptional game against a good defense. In Boldin’s case, it was against Chicago.
But the next two weeks, Boldin had just four catches in each totaling 106 yards.
While the current offense of coach Ken Whisenhunt is in a much better place than last year’s version at the time (Dennis Green’s group struggled to run and were starting an inexperienced Matt Leinart), defenses will almost certainly be keying on Fitzgerald.
“You know that on the passing plays you are pretty much always going to be the first or second read, and you will get your opportunities,” Fitzgerald said. “It is hard for somebody to just take you out of it because (coaches) will be moving you around. But that is the disadvantage of not having Q out there. You definitely see a difference when Q is out there.”
Fitzgerald said he thought the Steelers did play their defense a little differently early in the game to watch him, although that loosened up as the game went along.
“Sometimes in regular down and distances, (defenses) will have a tendency to cheat the coverages to a guy,” Whisenhunt said.
NO UPGRADE FOR Q OR LEVI
The Cardinals have just two players hurt, but neither seemed any closer to playing Thursday. Boldin was, in Whisenhunt’s words, “moving around better” but he still has a slight limp and the most work he had Thursday was helping move one of the portable water stations during practice.
Tackle Levi Brown (ankle) also is sitting out. He also technically remains day-to-day, but as Whisenhunt was critiquing Brown’s replacement, Elton Brown, the coach sounded as if he expected Elton Brown to play in St. Louis.
“There were a few things (Elton) has to clean up,” Whisenhunt said. “This will be a test with the noise, especially with the speed rusher (Leonard Little) they have over there. I am hoping he has another week when he can play solid.”
THE START OF SOMETHING NEW?
Leinart acknowledged that the way he finished the game against Pittsburgh – coming in to lead the Cardinals on a game-clinching drive in the fourth quarter, including a couple of big completions – will help him going forward.
“I played a quarter then sat out the second and third and then came in really when it mattered the most to put the game away,” Leinart said. “It was definitely a confidence-builder for me to go in in that situation and execute and do well when the guys were counting on me.”
Whisenhunt has said repeatedly the no-huddle part of the offense led by Kurt Warner can be a part of the game plan every week, but he has also said that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be used.
In his only game against the Rams, Leinart posted a 100.3 passer rating in a 34-20 victory in St. Louis.
EXTRA POINTS
The Rams had 13 players listed on their injury report Thursday, including four players who are already listed as out (running back Steven Jackson, offensive lineman Adam Goldberg, linebacker Raonall Smith and receiver Dane Looker) and two others (receiver Isaac Bruce and safety Corey Chavous) who have not practiced at all for two days and are not expected to play. And that doesn’t include quarterback Marc Bulger, who has been benched because of sore ribs, or cornerback Tye Hill, who still is iffy after hurting his back. …
The Cardinals have compiled 12 sacks this season, but have only allowed four. The difference of plus-8 is tied for second in the NFL with the New England Patriots (11 sacks for, three against). Only the New York Giants’ plus-10 (16 sacks for, six sacks against) is better.
Contact Darren Urban at [email protected]. Posted 10/4/07
http://www.azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=1969
