Glendale, Ariz. – For all of the talk about Larry Fitzgerald’s imposing physique and jumping ability, strong hands might be the most valuable asset of the best receiver in the NFL.
“He’s got long arms, and he’s got very strong hands, very big hands,” said Seattle defensive backs coach Tim Lewis. “It’s hard to play around him. It’s hard to play through him, so unless you’re in the perfect position, he’s going to make you pay.”
The Seahawks, too many times on the receiving end of his big plays, are acutely aware what he can do, even when they think they have him covered.
In his past five games against Seattle, Fitzgerald, 6-foot-3, 220-pounder, has 41 receptions for 547 yards and four touchdowns.
Last season, Fitzgerald had his second- and third-best single-game receiving yardage totals (151 and 130) against Seattle.
Just a month ago, Fitzgerald had a season-high 13 catches and 100 yards, scoring a first-quarter touchdown in the Cardinals’ 27-3 win at Qwest Field.
So how do you stop him from making the catch, particularly in jump-ball situations?
“It doesn’t’ matter what you do, just get the ball out,” said Seahawks cornerback Josh Wilson, who along with Marcus Trufant will see a lot of Fitzgerald today. “If you pull a shoelace or something, as long as he doesn’t catch the ball, as a DB it doesn’t really matter. Find a way to get it out.”
Added Lewis: “You’re going to have to find ways creatively to get people to him without him knowing it, because if they know it, the quarterback (Kurt Warner) is very talented and very good at seeing it. … He sees your coverage and he picks it apart.”
Only Carolina receiver Steve Smith is Fitzgerald’s peer, in the opinion of Lewis, who coached defensive backs for the Panthers before moving to Seattle.
Seattle receiver Nate Burleson adds former Minnesota teammate Randy Moss to the list.
“One thing I learned from Randy Moss is don’t tip off the DB that the ball is coming,” Burleson said. “And that’s what makes Moss so good. He can see the ball coming, and he doesn’t put his hands up until the very last moment.”
One factor in Seattle’s favor against Fitzgerald is the return of Trufant. The 28-year-old Tacoma native did not play against Arizona a month ago because he was on the physically unable to perform list with a back problem.
Trufant is rounding into form, and will play in his third game of the season on Sunday.
He had one of his best performances against Fitzgerald and the Cardinals late in the 2007 season, making three interceptions, including an 84-yard return for a touchdown, in Seattle’s 42-21 win.
Fitzgerald remembers it well.
“I relish the opportunity to go against a player of his caliber,” Fitzgerald said. “He makes me a lot better player. … He’s a phenomenal talent. I know I’m going to have my hands full whenever I see him.”
Trufant respects Fitzgerald, and understands he can’t ease up on coverage because the ball could come his way at any time.
“You can never think that the ball is not coming to him, or he’s not going to be able to go it, because he can almost get any ball that’s thrown to him,” Trufant said.”
SEAHAWKS GAMEDAY
SEATTLE (3-5) at ARIZONA (5-3)
Kickoff: 1:05 p.m., University of Phoenix Stadium
TV: Ch. 13. Radio: 710-AM, 97.3-FM.
The series: The Cardinals lead the series 12-9. Arizona has won the past three games, and five of the past six in the series. The Seahawks have not won in Arizona since a 33-19 victory on Nov. 6, 2005, and are 0-3 in University of Phoenix Stadium..
What to watch: The Seahawks are the healthiest they’ve been all season, and will start Sean Locklear at left tackle today, bringing together the offensive line that was projected to start the season at the end of training camp for the first time. … Considered mostly a passing team, Arizona’s running game has improved. The Cardinals ran for 182 yards against Chicago last week. … The Seahawks have struggled running the ball this year, ranking 30th in the league in rush offense with 84.5 yards a game. Expect Seattle to get running backs Julius Jones and Justin Forsett the ball via the pass out of the backfield today.
TNT pick: Cardinals, 27-24.
Prime numbers
SEATTLE
No. Name (position)Ht./Wt.Year
8 Matt Hasselbeck (QB)6-4/22511th
Hawks will put the game in his hands.
75 Sean Locklear (OT)6-4/308sixth
Seattle needs him to play well in first game back.
23 Marcus Trufant (CB)5-11/197seventh
Has to keep Larry Fitzgerald in check.
97 Patrick Kerney (DE) 6-1/270fourth
Needs to make a couple big plays in Arizona’s backfield.
ARIZONA
No. Name (position)Ht./Wt.Year
26 Chris “Beanie” Wells (RB)6-1/228first
Can he give Cardinals another big game on the ground?
81 Anquan Boldin (WR)6-1/217seven
Wants to prove he’s healthy.
93 Calais Campbell (LB)6-8/290second
With Chike Okeafor out, he will be counted on in pass rush.
24 Adrian Wilson (S)6-3/226ninth
Always a cat and mouse game between Wilson and Hasselbeck.
Eric D. Williams, The News Tribune
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