With Larry Fitzgerald’s induction into the Hall of Fame coming Aug. 8, azcardinals.com could have a collection of articles concerning the huge receiver. Today, an oral historical past of his legendary postseason efficiency in the course of the 2008 season.
This story was initially printed on April 11, 2017.
Larry Fitzgerald, with a 12 months left on his contract, is working year-to-year on his profession. Retirement was a consideration after the 2016 season and the huge receiver figures to undergo the identical course of after 2017. His function has modified considerably since he was a rookie in 2004, however he is had his two most prolific seasons for receptions the final two years. His numbers will undoubtedly put him within the Hall of Fame someday.
The speak of Canton emerged for the primary time again within the 2008 season extra particularly, that postseason, a magical, inconceivable run to the Super Bowl by the Cardinals. The staff was carried by Fitzgerald, who had from begin to end arguably the best postseason by a single participant. In 4 video games, Fitzgerald had 30 receptions for 546 yards and 7 touchdowns. His fourth quarter of the Super Bowl almost led the Cards to a surprising title.
Almost a decade later, Fitzgerald does not have a lot use to look again. “That’s old news,” Fitzgerald mentioned in a textual content. “It’s time to create new ones.” There have been loads of others watching Fitzgerald curate greatness. This is the story of that postseason run, instructed by those that have been there.
The Cardinals clinched the NFC West title with a win over the Rams in Week 14 and have been attempting to construct momentum heading into the postseason. Instead, they misplaced their subsequent two video games to drop to 8-7 after a 7-3 begin. In Week 16, the Cards have been obliterated in New England, shedding 47-7 within the snow. Fitzgerald’s then-personal-long 78-yard TD catch from Matt Leinart, giving him three receptions for 101 yards and a rating in that sport, was the lone shiny spot.
Todd Haley, Cardinals offensive coordinator: We got here again and our first observe was one of many coldest days I’ve ever felt in Arizona. It was bone-chilling and wet, and (head coach) Kenny (Whisenhunt) truly canceled observe and I used to be like, ‘(Expletive) that, we’re staying’ and stayed on the market and slopped round. That morning, I needed to ask (quarterback) Kurt (Warner) permission if I might swear, and I pushed the chairs round and MF’d all people. Everybody appears at it completely different, however I feel these have been issues that needed to occur. We had a number of guys who felt a bit of too good about themselves.
In the finale, a house win over the Seahawks, Fitzgerald had 130 yards and two touchdowns on 5 receptions. The Cardinals felt higher about themselves, regardless of nationwide criticism about getting a house playoff sport with their 9-7 file.
Ron Wolfley, Cardinals radio analyst:People have been saying that this was the ‘Worst playoff staff ever.’ Who was that, Cris Collinsworth? Not right here to argue whether or not that was correct or not, however I bear in mind, you at all times had the retort, ‘Yeah, however we have got Larry.’
The Cardinals have been internet hosting a Wild Card sport, though the Falcons led by rookie quarterback Matt Ryan — had a greater file. The Cardinals’ first huge play was a 42-yard flea-flicker to Fitzgerald, who outleaped two defenders for a landing within the first quarter of a scoreless sport.
Dave Pasch, Cardinals radio play-by-play: That was an unimaginable catch in that second. Ken Whisenhunt was mic’d up, and he is telling all of his assistants, ‘Wow, it is loud in right here.’ Then after that play, it was so loud, you could not hear your self suppose.
Steve Breaston, Cardinals huge receiver:He made these performs, even in observe. Kurt put it on the market, but it surely was one thing Fitz was doing all 12 months. It was a terrific catch, but it surely wasn’t one thing that stunned the people who labored round him. (That catch) actually began it off, that nice run that he had. That momentum carried him all through the Super Bowl.
Jerheme Urban, Cardinals huge receiver: It not solely ignited him, it ignited our complete staff. The stadium was going loopy, and it form of gave all people the boldness, ‘We’re within the dance, we are able to make huge performs like all people else, let’s consider in ourselves.’
Haley: As the 12 months went on, Kurt top-of-the-line if not one of the best development passer ever, with nice imaginative and prescient — the large promote was getting Kurt to belief, that even when Larry was lined, you have to throw it. That went in opposition to the way in which he was raised and made a reputation for himself. But you actually noticed that come to life within the playoffs.
Kurt Warner, Cardinals quarterback: I by no means tried to get away from what my (development) guidelines have been as a result of I knew I might get in bother. But there are different components. Larry as a receiver, what he’s doing, his catch radius, my energy being my accuracy. Lots of people take a look at that flea-flicker and say, ‘Man, you threw it into double protection.’ But in case you look, actually nobody was in place to cowl him so long as I put it the place the ball must be. During that run he was making all of these catches. They have been ‘educated forces,’ if there may be such a factor.
The Cardinals ultimately seal the win on a cross from Warner to tight finish Stephen Spach to transform a third-and-16. Fitzgerald finally ends up on the duvet of Sports Illustrated, the primary of three straight albeit regional covers on the journal for the staff. Two featured Fitzgerald. The headline on the preliminary cowl? “Arizona is DANGEROUS.”
Mark Dalton, Cardinals vp of media relations: Short of Pat Tillman, I could not bear in mind the final time we have been on the duvet of Sports Illustrated.
Donovan McNabb, Eagles quarterback, when it was famous SI known as the Eagles harmful on a canopy: Well, they known as the Cardinals harmful, too. It’s a regional copy. Everybody is harmful.
Freddie Kitchens, Cardinals tight ends coach: Anquan (Boldin) was seen because the emotional man, the staff chief, and Fitz was form of the great participant off doing his personal factor. What you noticed from him and acquired the sense from him, he was the kind of participant who would at all times be there on the most important of levels.
The sport become a nightmare for Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme, who had six turnovers. But it was simply as a lot about Carolina’s incapability to cowl Fitzgerald, who had 151 yards receiving within the first half a Cardinals single-game playoff file, in simply two quarters. As in opposition to Atlanta, Fitzgerald’s huge sport started with a heave downfield during which he beat two defenders, a play known as “Fake toss, 339 taxi pass.” Haley got here up with the play on the flight to Carolina and the staff by no means truly practiced it beforehand.
Kitchens: That play was put in on the airplane, going to Carolina. I bear in mind Todd displaying it to me, saying, ‘What do you suppose?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, at worst, throw it as much as Fitz.’
Haley: This play, the one I drew on the serviette, I noticed it and thought, ‘We’ll have an opportunity to at the least get Larry free.’ The humorous factor was the walkthrough was at their stadium on the skin turf and all their workplaces confronted (the sphere), so we could not even observe it. We could not stroll by means of it however we talked by means of it and thank goodness we hit it. Larry, he acquired a lot double-coverage that discovering methods to get him in single and one-on-ones was arduous, however he was typically going to make the performs due to his greatness.
Breaston: We have been on the airplane proper earlier than we acquired there, and Coach Haley is like, ‘You’re going to chip (defensive finish Julius) Peppers off the sting after which go to the flat. I used to be in movement, I come on down, and Peppers drops in cross protection. I used to be like, ‘Man, what do I do now?’ I stalled, after which I leak out into the flat and that is when Larry jumped over two or three individuals. Funny how that turned out.
Fitzgerald’s different iconic play was his stretch for the pylon on a 29-yard crossing route cleared out by Breaston and Urban going deep, giving the Cardinals their insurmountable 27-7 halftime lead. This was all finished with out Boldin, the Cards’ different Pro Bowl receiver who was sitting out with a hamstring damage.
Wolfley: That is the place I consider, if I’m not mistaken, I began to name Larry the Japanese Fighting Fish. Deadly and single-minded of objective, proper? It’s due to performs like that.
Breaston: It appeared like Fitz was open the entire sport. Even after the catch he made in opposition to like three individuals early within the sport, I’m turning my head round, questioning the place the ball was going, and he is streaking throughout the sphere. It stunned me, since you’d suppose, with Q being down, you’d attempt to take that away.
Urban: Steve and I used to joke, the explanation these guys caught all of the balls in four-wide stuff was as a result of we have been on the opposite aspect taking all of the protection.
Adrian Wilson, Cardinals security: As quickly as we acquired that win, within the locker room, the look in everybody’s eyes have been, ‘We’re going to the Super Bowl.’ It did not matter who we performed, from that win, we felt we have been destined to win the Super Bowl. On the constitution (flight) after the sport, Me, Karlos (Dansby), Darnell Dockett are speaking. Fitz sat throughout from me on the airplane, and we’re speaking to him and (guard) Reggie Wells. Usually Fitz goes to sleep after the sport. Usually. This explicit sport, he was up. You get a way of how gamers are and what makes them tick, and Larry is a competitor, however on the identical time he was so happy with everybody else and the way they performed. We simply knew we have been destined to play within the Super Bowl.
The Eagles, who just like the Panthers had knocked off the Cardinals earlier within the season, spent the week saying how they could not let Fitzgerald beat them. Then, just like the earlier two video games, Fitzgerald exploded within the first half with three touchdowns, together with a 64-yard rating on a J.J. Arrington-to-Warner-to-Fitz throwback double cross.
Warner: I used to be a man who hated trick performs, considering we might idiot any individual. I at all times wished to say, ‘OK, I consider we are able to out-execute them. Even with the creativity, it wasn’t like they have been simply excessive hopes. The flea-flicker (in opposition to Atlanta) he went up in opposition to two defenders, the Carolina catch (designed on the airplane) was in opposition to two defenders, the double cross (within the NFC Championship), the security was proper there and he goes up round him.
Pasch: That was in the long run zone by us, the place our sales space is, and it simply felt prefer it was Larry catching the ball and there was nobody else on the sphere however Larry after which 80,000 followers. That’s what it felt like.
Urban: The quarterback has to have a safety blanket. And the stats present Larry was that for Kurt. Kurt would throw to Larry and Larry was making each play and it was like thatold NBA Jam (online game), ‘He’s on fireplace!’ Larry acquired on fireplace.
Wilson: It’s a type of issues, it does not matter what you do defensively, if a man is sizzling, you are not going to cease him. Again, these are routine issues Fitz does. It wasn’t like he wasn’t the third choose within the draft, wasn’t an all-American in faculty. Larry is a superb participant. Then he begins to evolve and all that expertise and the work he put in comes collectively, you do not have an opportunity. You’re sitting there and you are like, ‘Damn. I’m enjoying with a Hall of Fame participant.’ You do not realize it till that second.
Kitchens: Still to at the present time, in case you throw Fitz the ball contained in the 10-yard line, I do not care what number of guys are round him, he’s for essentially the most half going to get that ball in the long run zone. That’s the way in which he performed everywhere in the discipline throughout that run. Every time he caught the ball, it was, ‘Is this ball going to the home?’
The Cardinals constructed a 24-6 lead, however ultimately fell behind 25-24 earlier than occurring a dramatic landing drive for the game-winning factors. Fitzgerald had three catches on the almost eight-minute march, which ended with a Tim Hightower 8-yard rating on a display cross.
Breaston: It was so loud, and it is form of a blur. You are part of historical past, first time a corporation goes to a Super Bowl. As a lot as we have been within the second, the purpose was for us to go and win the Super Bowl. I simply have this picture of me and Jerheme Urban holding up USA Today with “NFC Champion” one thing like that. That’s at all times been in my head.
Dalton: Larry was nonetheless within the younger, I’m-not-embracing-the-media-spotlight factor. He had by no means gone to the interview room. And there are photos of Kurt and him hugging, however I bear in mind cajoling him to enter the room, after which Kurt walks in and sees Larry on the podium, and Kurt even goes, ‘Larry on the podium?!?’ Like, ‘Wow, we actually have hit the big-time.’
Larry Foote, Steelers linebacker: Going into that first assembly (of prep), it was about how we have been going to include Fitzgerald. Ike Taylor was our shutdown nook, however even the performs he made, there have been safeties above. That complete week was how we have been going to include him. (Then) he single-handedly nearly beat us.
Wilson: Going into that first off-week, once we had time to form of decompress for this sport, Fitz, Kurt, Anquan, Steve Breaston and Tim Hightower are exterior throwing routes on air, whereas all people is inside lifting and watching movie. They have been within the second. Kurt has been there. So Kurt had a sense in his head that every thing wanted to remain crisp. We have been all cool with that.
Fitzgerald had dominated within the first half of every of the primary three postseason video games. In the Super Bowl, he had only one catch for 12 yards by means of three quarters, and wasn’t focused within the third in any respect. The Steelers constructed a 20-7 lead, highlighted by the 100-yard interception return on the ultimate play of the primary half, when Fitzgerald amongst others — was unable to cease the less-than-speedy James Harrison in need of the purpose line with no time remaining. Fitzgerald’s effort was slowed at one level as a result of teammate Antrel Rolle was on the sideline watching and briefly acquired in Fitzgerald’s approach.
Kitchens: At halftime, the locker room was very, very quiet. It’s an extended halftime, and it was deathly quiet. I’m like, ‘I’ve by no means seen this.’ Hell, we have been down in Philly, down in New England down (within the common season) however by no means was it that quiet. It was nearly like a peaceful before-the-storm factor. We knew what Pittsburgh was. We simply beat them the 12 months earlier than. It was an eerie-type feeling.
Haley: The deal was, we could not block them. So it was, how do you keep within the sport and never get Kurt killed? Because if Kurt’s out, you are finished. It was attempt to get to that time. Obviously if the Harrison factor does not occur and we throw a landing (on that play), the sport is completely different and we’re most likely in a tighter sport for longer. But once they went forward and acquired up, what are you saving Kurt for? We let him unfastened and went to the no-huddle alerts package deal the place we’re placing the formations on the market and (Kurt) is attempting to present one of the best sign. Kurt was like, ‘We ought to’ve finished it the entire time.’ We have been going to do it, however I watch these guys come off the sting each play and Kurt was going to get killed. And he nonetheless took some big photographs.
Working in an offense with extra tempo, Fitzgerald exploded, making a powerful jump-ball landing catch over Taylor and later, improbably, splitting the Steelers protection for a 64-yard landing catch-and-run that gave the Cardinals a 23-20 lead with 2:37 remaining.
Ike Taylor, Steelers cornerback: I had a terrific jam. My clock was ticking, I used to be like, ‘OK, somebody’s about to get to the quarterback.’ He remains to be patting the ball. And as quickly as I appeared in for a cut up second, Larry got here below. As a nook, if I simply would have stayed with him and checked out him the entire time, however that slight hesitation, trying to see what the quarterback was doing, gave him a step. Now I’m in chase mode.
Breaston: They are supposed to guard the within. Once you get inside, performs occur. We practiced in opposition to (that protection) all through the course of the 12 months, simply making ready to play in opposition to two-man due to the receivers we did have. I do not know what (40 time) Larry ran on the time or earlier than, however all people mentioned again dwelling (in Pittsburgh), he was working a 4.2.
Fitzgerald (in April, 2009): People do not suppose I can run. But if I can catch the ball working hey, I ran a 4.44 popping out of school. I can go once I have to go. I used to be pleased to catch that cross working.
Pasch: The finish zone he is working into is the tip zone the place the Cardinals followers have been, our sales space was over there. There was a sales space subsequent to us filled with people who labored for the NFL, and so they have been cheering.
Foote: We acquired humbled. To at the present time, we have been a record-setting protection so far as our stats. Up till that final quarter, till Fitz put his Superman cape on, the entire 12 months, primary in every thing, led a staff to the Super Bowl, and now you’re on the sideline, with our fingers crossed, hoping that Ben (Roethlisberger) might win the sport for us. When you get the ring, it do not matter, however that was a humbling fourth quarter.
Warner:First and foremost, I’m form of considering how all people on the planet, proper now, thinks the Cardinals are going to win the Super Bowl for the primary time. People are literally saying, ‘The Cardinals can win the Super Bowl.’ Personally, I bear in mind working to the sideline and everybody goes loopy and saying, ‘Oh my gosh, you simply gained the Super Bowl’ and I bear in mind telling everybody, ‘Get away from me and loosen up, there is a lengthy technique to go on this factor. I’ve been right here earlier than.’
Wolfley: 2:37. 2:37. That is a quantity I’ll by no means get out of my head.
Pasch: I believed they have been going to win. I truly bear in mind, you understand how NFL Films replays (the announcer name), I believed, ‘I’m not going to put in writing something out, as a result of if I do, they will lose. Don’t wish to jinx it.’ So I did not write something down. And after that (64-yard rating), I believed ‘I higher get one thing prepared.’ I hadn’t put pen to paper, however I began considering, ‘OK, what am I going to say right here?’ Then it acquired to 3rd down and I began to put in writing it down and naturally, Aaron Francisco slipped.
Francisco, a security, slipped on a 40-yard catch-and-run by Santonio Holmes, organising Holmes’ toe-tapping landing for what turned out to be Pittsburgh’s game-winning rating. Fitzgerald made a superb 20-yard reception within the closing seconds to present the Cardinals hope for a Hail Mary rating. But Warner was stripped earlier than he might get a throw off.
Urban: Before the snap, the (2007 Hail Mary TD to Fitz in opposition to the 49ers) flashes in my head, together with every thing else Larry had finished within the playoffs. It would have been becoming, if the ball would’ve gotten off, there’s not a doubt in my thoughts he would have made that play.
Kitchens: I had whole confidence. I believed we have been going to catch the ball. I actually did. In my thoughts, I’d’ve wager you something you wished to that Larry would have caught the ball. I nonetheless do not know why we did not get the ball off. No one talks about that. We have been on the 50-yard line. I saved considering, ‘It’s not supposed to finish like this.’
Haley: After that sport I’m on the Combine, and I’m strolling to the exercises (as new coach of the Chiefs) and I’m alongside Dick LeBeau (Steelers defensive coordinator), who I didn’t know. We begin speaking. We find yourself sitting collectively (within the dome) and we’re speaking. Once Ben hit Holmes to go forward, we make the large play to Larry which was an exceptional play, and if we win the sport that play was nearly as good as any that I’ve seen, and now we have got the (try at a Hail Mary). Dick LeBeau is telling the story now and saying ‘I’m glad (LaMarr) Woodley acquired to Kurt, as a result of Troy (Polamalu) instructed me Larry had him boxed out along with his huge butt and he did not know if he might make a play.’
Warner: You hate to seek out your self needing a Hail Mary to win it. Having Larry, enjoying the way in which he did, there was at the least the next share than if you usually throw one. But I will not say that, if I had thrown it up, we have been positively coming down with it.
Dalton: I used to be getting Larry to the (post-game interview) podium, and the crush of all these individuals, and Jesse Jackson was there. The randomness of it. Jesse Jackson wished to ensure he noticed Larry and congratulate him, even in defeat, on this superb run that they had. They are speaking and expressing no matter sentiments and at one level, Jesse Jackson says, ‘I wish to keep in contact, what’s your quantity?’ and I search for and there’s a big increase mike, and all these individuals round. I’m taking a look at Larry, telling him (mouths the phrase) ‘no.’ So he whispers it in Jesse Jackson’s ear.
Wolfley: I child you not, previously, I’ve woken up from a deep sleep, eager about 2:37.
Fitzgerald (in April, 2009): I simply suppose the stage was completely different. I felt (2008) was most likely my most constant by way of week-in, week-out placing collectively strong performances. The years Todd (Haley) was right here, that is what he at all times talked about. ‘Don’t be the yo-yo man. Be a constant participant, be somebody the gamers and coaches can depend on.’ I delight myself in that. Throughout the playoffs, that was essentially the most enjoyable time in my life.
Dalton: In these days, we might come again from highway video games and we lived actually closed collectively. We’d take the bus again right here (to the staff’s Tempe facility) and he’d be, ‘Hey, can I’ve a journey dwelling?’ I’d give him a journey dwelling. That’s form of what we did. When we acquired again from Tampa, he requested, ‘Can I’ve a journey dwelling?’ We took the busses again, and there have been helicopters and other people ready and we have been unloading the busses and it was a (mess), it was just like the Beatles at LaGuardia. And he was like, ‘Hey the place’s your automobile, let’s get out of right here.’ We pulled as much as his neighborhood and there is a gate within the entrance with balloons and indicators on it, ‘Welcome dwelling Larry.’ Then the cellphone rang simply as I’m dropping him off. He whispers, ‘It’s the President, I’ll speak to you later.’ President Obama had known as. Those have been completely different instances.
Foote, now an assistant coach with the Cardinals: (Feigns ignorance) What Super Bowl are you speaking about? I believed we performed these guys within the common season. (Smiles) I do not deliver that up that sport typically round right here and I certain as hell ain’t going to put on the ring.
Wilson: It was a magical run, and I’m unsure you will see it once more, the affect on video games. You’ll see nice performances, however to consecutively do it and to place a staff on his again and do it that approach?
Haley: When you take a look at the entire huge image, with the Cardinals hardly ever within the playoffs, I imply, I do not suppose (Fitzgerald’s playoff efficiency) may be touched. Kurt too, however Larry, he put the entire staff on his again and mentioned ‘We’re going to win it’ and he did every thing he might to get that finished. Except sort out James Harrison, as a result of Antrel Rolle was standing within the white.
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