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By Nate Davis, USA TODAY
The Arizona Cardinals proved they're comfortable in the air in 2005. But this season they truly have the look of a team that's ready to take flight, a prospect that has Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald practically giddy with excitement.
"I feel the energy here in the city and I'm so excited to be a part of this up-and-coming franchise," says Fitzgerald.
Why all the optimism for a team that has one playoff win since 1947 and one winning season since venturing west from St. Louis in 1988?
Start with the arrival of free-agent running back Edgerrin James.
James, who signed a 4-year, $30 million deal in March, brings immediate credibility to a running game that ranked last in the NFL in 2005. He has averaged more than 1,400 yards on the ground over the past three seasons; the Cardinals haven't enjoyed that type of production from a back since Ottis Anderson toted the rock for the St. Louis Cardinals in the early 1980s. James also has a knack for avoiding the big hit and still has plenty of tread on the tires, putting him in stark contrast to the team's ill-advised signing of Emmitt Smith in 2003.
"It was the right situation," James said when he signed with the team. "I felt like all they were missing was a back."
"You look at his ability to go out and run the football," coach Dennis Green says of James, "and that's an element we just have to have."
But Fitzgerald has been most impressed by what the Edge brings to the table off the field.
"The first thing I noticed is that he's really building team camaraderie," he says of James. "He has cookouts at his house, things like that. We're doing more of that stuff than we did last year and it's really important.
"Hopefully Edge is bringing the same recipe he used in Indianapolis and it will help us here."
The Cards also landed their quarterback of the future in April, netting former Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart with the 10th pick of the draft.
"Matt's just an awesome, awesome, great guy and a real student of the game," says Fitzgerald.
Throw in the much-needed addition of guard Milford Brown to the offensive line and the arrival of defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy to one of the league's most underrated defenses and it's evident that Arizona was among the league's big winners in the offseason.
The team even acquired a home-field advantage, something it's never really enjoyed since arriving in the desert southwest. The Cardinals' new retractable-roof stadium in Glendale, Ariz., is already sold out for the season, largely because fans know they will no longer bake in the crucible that was Sun Devil Stadium.
"Finally, a place we can call our own, built just for us," says Fitzgerald. "It's state-of-the-art — absolutely amazing. The fan support has been amazing."
But perhaps it is Fitzgerald, now in his third year and the cornerstone of the team's top-rated passing attack, who gives the team the biggest reason to embrace the future.
He and Carolina's Steve Smith led the NFL with 103 catches in 2005. Throw in his 1,409 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns and it's little wonder that Fitzgerald is already drawing comparisons to Jerry Rice.
But, like Rice, he's not one to rest on his laurels.
"The really good receivers in this league, they do everything so well and they can beat you deep or intermediate," Fitzgerald stresses. "I want my game to get to that point where I'm comfortable that I'm good at everything.
"I'm a ways away from that point right now. But the longer I work and study, I'll only get better. I'm trying to model myself after the Steve Smiths and Chad Johnsons of this league. I've got a lot of motivation to close the gap on those guys."
He also says that the back injury that quietly plagued him for the latter half of 2005 is a non-issue.
"I'm no different than anyone else," he says. "A great percentage of us have something wrong by the middle of the season. But I've got that old-school mentality and keep on going.
"I've just been working out, trying to put myself in the best condition to handle the rigors of the season while trying to enjoy myself."
Fitzgerald didn't stray from the gym for long following the season, though he did take some time off immediately following the 2005 campaign.
"Making time for yourself is important — to get away, disconnect yourself."
He spent part of the offseason traveling in Europe and visited U.S. troops in Germany. He enjoyed the opportunity to honor them and uses the visit to maintain his perspective.
"Playing this game is a privilege and this job is a luxury, I can't forget that," he says.
Fourth-year receiver Anquan Boldin, who was right on Fitzgerald's heels with 102 receptions and 1,402 yards, is the other half of what is arguably the best ball-hawking tandem in the NFL.
Fitzgerald appreciates the fact that Boldin's presence means teams can't afford to double-team him. He also admires his wingman's physical game — Boldin loves to manhandle opposing defensive backs, particularly on running plays.
"He's a bully," Fitzgerald says with a laugh. "Anyone who knows him will tell you that. He's really just a defensive player who catches the ball really well, then beats guys up.
"Our personalities are so different but we complement each other so well. Q (Boldin) is a premier wide receiver in the NFL. Every day I'm watching him because he's so good at everything. He can rush the ball, run intermediate routes and he's a good team guy and leader. We're really privileged to have him."
The Cardinals open training camp Sunday in Flagstaff, Ariz., but they hardly seem worried about Green running a brutal camp.
"He's a cool coach who isn't going to try to kill you," James told USA TODAY in June. "For me, my main thing is to make sure I'm cool through the week and Sunday is the easy day, the fun day.
"Making it to Sunday is the thing. Some teams you get banged up during the week and you get injuries you're playing with on Sunday. That doesn't make sense. On Sunday you're supposed to be at your best."
Adds Fitzgerald: "You gotta work — Coach Green asks a lot of you. But he doesn't waste your time or do some things guys might consider excessive.
"Our time spent is efficiently used time but you just have to be alert and attentive throughout the day. Coach may run some shorter days than other guys are used to, but he gives us just as much work."
The Cardinals certainly have their work cut out for them in 2006 and playing in the NFC West against the conference champion Seattle Seahawks gives them at least two opportunities to gauge their progress.
Fitzgerald, for one, relishes the upcoming opportunities: "I really want to get the season started, get that first win and get the ball rolling," he says.
Posted 7/23/2006 11:24 PM ET
The Arizona Cardinals proved they're comfortable in the air in 2005. But this season they truly have the look of a team that's ready to take flight, a prospect that has Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald practically giddy with excitement.
"I feel the energy here in the city and I'm so excited to be a part of this up-and-coming franchise," says Fitzgerald.
Why all the optimism for a team that has one playoff win since 1947 and one winning season since venturing west from St. Louis in 1988?
Start with the arrival of free-agent running back Edgerrin James.
James, who signed a 4-year, $30 million deal in March, brings immediate credibility to a running game that ranked last in the NFL in 2005. He has averaged more than 1,400 yards on the ground over the past three seasons; the Cardinals haven't enjoyed that type of production from a back since Ottis Anderson toted the rock for the St. Louis Cardinals in the early 1980s. James also has a knack for avoiding the big hit and still has plenty of tread on the tires, putting him in stark contrast to the team's ill-advised signing of Emmitt Smith in 2003.
"It was the right situation," James said when he signed with the team. "I felt like all they were missing was a back."
"You look at his ability to go out and run the football," coach Dennis Green says of James, "and that's an element we just have to have."
But Fitzgerald has been most impressed by what the Edge brings to the table off the field.
"The first thing I noticed is that he's really building team camaraderie," he says of James. "He has cookouts at his house, things like that. We're doing more of that stuff than we did last year and it's really important.
"Hopefully Edge is bringing the same recipe he used in Indianapolis and it will help us here."
The Cards also landed their quarterback of the future in April, netting former Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart with the 10th pick of the draft.
"Matt's just an awesome, awesome, great guy and a real student of the game," says Fitzgerald.
Throw in the much-needed addition of guard Milford Brown to the offensive line and the arrival of defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy to one of the league's most underrated defenses and it's evident that Arizona was among the league's big winners in the offseason.
The team even acquired a home-field advantage, something it's never really enjoyed since arriving in the desert southwest. The Cardinals' new retractable-roof stadium in Glendale, Ariz., is already sold out for the season, largely because fans know they will no longer bake in the crucible that was Sun Devil Stadium.
"Finally, a place we can call our own, built just for us," says Fitzgerald. "It's state-of-the-art — absolutely amazing. The fan support has been amazing."
But perhaps it is Fitzgerald, now in his third year and the cornerstone of the team's top-rated passing attack, who gives the team the biggest reason to embrace the future.
He and Carolina's Steve Smith led the NFL with 103 catches in 2005. Throw in his 1,409 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns and it's little wonder that Fitzgerald is already drawing comparisons to Jerry Rice.
But, like Rice, he's not one to rest on his laurels.
"The really good receivers in this league, they do everything so well and they can beat you deep or intermediate," Fitzgerald stresses. "I want my game to get to that point where I'm comfortable that I'm good at everything.
"I'm a ways away from that point right now. But the longer I work and study, I'll only get better. I'm trying to model myself after the Steve Smiths and Chad Johnsons of this league. I've got a lot of motivation to close the gap on those guys."
He also says that the back injury that quietly plagued him for the latter half of 2005 is a non-issue.
"I'm no different than anyone else," he says. "A great percentage of us have something wrong by the middle of the season. But I've got that old-school mentality and keep on going.
"I've just been working out, trying to put myself in the best condition to handle the rigors of the season while trying to enjoy myself."
Fitzgerald didn't stray from the gym for long following the season, though he did take some time off immediately following the 2005 campaign.
"Making time for yourself is important — to get away, disconnect yourself."
He spent part of the offseason traveling in Europe and visited U.S. troops in Germany. He enjoyed the opportunity to honor them and uses the visit to maintain his perspective.
"Playing this game is a privilege and this job is a luxury, I can't forget that," he says.
Fourth-year receiver Anquan Boldin, who was right on Fitzgerald's heels with 102 receptions and 1,402 yards, is the other half of what is arguably the best ball-hawking tandem in the NFL.
Fitzgerald appreciates the fact that Boldin's presence means teams can't afford to double-team him. He also admires his wingman's physical game — Boldin loves to manhandle opposing defensive backs, particularly on running plays.
"He's a bully," Fitzgerald says with a laugh. "Anyone who knows him will tell you that. He's really just a defensive player who catches the ball really well, then beats guys up.
"Our personalities are so different but we complement each other so well. Q (Boldin) is a premier wide receiver in the NFL. Every day I'm watching him because he's so good at everything. He can rush the ball, run intermediate routes and he's a good team guy and leader. We're really privileged to have him."
The Cardinals open training camp Sunday in Flagstaff, Ariz., but they hardly seem worried about Green running a brutal camp.
"He's a cool coach who isn't going to try to kill you," James told USA TODAY in June. "For me, my main thing is to make sure I'm cool through the week and Sunday is the easy day, the fun day.
"Making it to Sunday is the thing. Some teams you get banged up during the week and you get injuries you're playing with on Sunday. That doesn't make sense. On Sunday you're supposed to be at your best."
Adds Fitzgerald: "You gotta work — Coach Green asks a lot of you. But he doesn't waste your time or do some things guys might consider excessive.
"Our time spent is efficiently used time but you just have to be alert and attentive throughout the day. Coach may run some shorter days than other guys are used to, but he gives us just as much work."
The Cardinals certainly have their work cut out for them in 2006 and playing in the NFC West against the conference champion Seattle Seahawks gives them at least two opportunities to gauge their progress.
Fitzgerald, for one, relishes the upcoming opportunities: "I really want to get the season started, get that first win and get the ball rolling," he says.
Posted 7/23/2006 11:24 PM ET
