INSIDE: Jason Witten, Larry Fitzgerald similar pros
Penalties wound Giants vs. Eagles
FRISCO, Texas — Cowboys tight end Jason Witten and Arizona receiver Larry Fitzgerald share a mutual respect that runs deep.
The two grew up 1,000 miles apart but their professional careers have mirrored each other in many ways. Both are likely future Hall of Famers, each a model of consistency with sustained success for the same team throughout their time in the NFL.
Fitzgerald and Witten — two of the NFL’s top four all-time catch leaders — will be on the same field tonight when the Cowboys play the Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium.
“It’s pretty special,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. “Two of the special players of their generation, no question about it.”
Fitzgerald (6-3, 218) grew up in Minnesota and played college football at Pittsburgh. He was the No. 3 overall pick in 2004.
Fitzgerald, 34, is in his 14th season — all with Arizona — and has played so long that he was once teammates with Emmitt Smith. Fitzgerald’s rookie season in Arizona was Smith’s last season in the NFL.
“Not only is he a great ambassador for this game, but he’s one of those guys I’d buy a ticket to go watch him play,” Witten said, “because I appreciate what he’s about and the way he’s gone about it in his career.”
Fitzgerald and Witten have each been to 10 Pro Bowls. Fitzgerald has missed only six games in his career. Witten has missed only one, and that was as a rookie.
“You have to be talented and you have to be skilled, but you have to be lucky,” Fitzgerald said. “Jason has played longer than me and missed less games than I have. That guy is literally a machine.” UNDISCIPLINED GIANTS: Odell Beckham Jr. took an unsportsmanlike penalty for pretending to urinate like a dog during the loss to the Eagles. Eli Apple had two pass-interference penalties that led to touchdowns. Left tackle Ereck Flowers committed two penalties in the final minute that allowed Philadelphia another chance in regulation. “We aren’t playing smart football,” coach Ben McAdoo said. “We are all irritable right now and rightfully so.”
END OF A STREAK: Atlanta’s Matt Ryan hadn’t thrown an interception in nine games, including three games during the last postseason, before getting picked off three times in the win at Ford Field. Former Lobo Glover Quin stepped in front of one pass and returned it 37 yards for a score in the second quarter, cutting Atlanta’s lead to 17-13. His other two interceptions were def lected. LAMBEAU HEAT: Sunday was the warmest kickoff for a Packers home game at 89 degrees. SEPTEMBER TO REMEMBER: The Bears won for just the first time in nine September games over three seasons under coach John Fox.