Grotz: For old time’s sake, Birds face Fitz once more
PHILADELPHIA » It figures that Larry Fitzgerald will make history against the Eagles here Sunday. The Arizona Cardinals’ wide receiver needs one reception to join Jerry Rice (274) and Tony Gonzalez (211) as the only NFL receivers to catch a pass in 200 straight games.
Eagles fans know there’s a pretty good chance Fitzgerald will get it done at Lincoln Financial Field when the teams meet at 1 p.m., Channel 29, WIP 94.1-FM). The big guy has 50 receptions, 845 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns against the Eagles.
The Cardinals are 6-2 in games since Fitzgerald joined them as a top rookie draftee in 2004, with one of the victories coming in the 2008 NFC title game.
“He’s a Hall of Famer,” Eagles linebacker Nigel Bradham said. “He’s the true guy that represents what you want to be for that gold jacket. He does tremendous stuff for that team, like all kinds of dirty work for that team, like blocking. And he’s just a complete receiver, a guy you want to be part of your team. And the guy really hasn’t lost a step even though he’s been in the league a long time. I feel like I’ve been watching him since I was a kid.”
Fitzgerald, 34, leads the Cardinals (2-2) with 26 catches for 276 yards and two touchdowns. Primarily a slot receiver in this, his 14th season, Fitzgerald is gutting it out along with 37-year-old quarterback Carson Palmer, in an offense ravaged by injuries.
The biggest loss is David Johnson, widely considered one of the top running backs in the league. The line is mix and match due to injuries. Beyond Fitzgerald the Cardinals’ receiving corps is quick but also nursing hamstring and quadriceps injuries.
“They’re a team with a lot of veterans,” Eagles defensive end Chris Long said. “Obviously a Hall of Fame wideout. A quarterback that is still throwing the ball at a high level and some really fast skill guys. So no matter what the book is right now on those guys you have to be ready for everything. You’ve got to stop the run game and put them in situations where they have to throw the ball.”
The Eagles have injuries of their own. They’re basically 2-0 without injured All-Pro defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who hurt a calf early in the win over the Giants. Tackles Tim Jernigan and Beau Allen have done a solid job of stopping the run along with Long and Vinny Curry, the other defensive end who moves inside on occasion.
The red flags are in an Eagles secondary that’s been gashed with deep balls the past couple of weeks. Without injured cornerback Ronald Darby, the Eagles are taking their lumps with rookie Rasul Douglas and whoever fills in at corner. Jaylen Watkins likely is back to help there this weekend after sitting out a couple of games with a hamstring issue.
The good news is quarterback Carson Wentz and the Eagles have limited the possessions of the opposition with a ground and pound run game featuring LeGarrette Blount. With Wentz ranking among the league leaders in third down conversions, the Eagles lead the league in time of possession.
The Eagles’ formula has produced a 3-1 record, including two wins on the road.
“Our dreams, our plans for this team are way more than just winning three games,” safety Malcolm Jenkins said. “We’ve actually been in this spot before. So 3-1 really doesn’t mean anything. We’ve got an opportunity to win another game, at home and that’s all we can focus on. We can’t celebrate too long the things that we’ve accomplished so far. And we can’t look too far off in the future.”
The Eagles, who hit the road to play the Carolina Panthers Thursday, cannot afford to look past Fitzgerald. There’s not much you can do to push him off his spot without taking a penalty.
“I’ve seen guys try to get physical with him but he knows how to use his hands off the press,” Eagles slot cornerback Patrick Robinson said. “He’s a savvy vet. And he’s 6-2, 225. So if you’re going to try to be physical you’ve got to be strong at the point of attack. You can’t just go up there and lay your hands on him. He’s going to swat them away like you’re nobody.”
The Cardinals are 6½ point underdogs. They have a long trip ahead for what likely will be a rainy afternoon. They also have Bruce Arians, who coached at Temple and knows Philly so well you just know this is a game he’s got circled on his schedule. Arians is 2-1 versus the Eagles.
“Not to get it confused, it’s not just this game coming back,” said Cardinals linebacker and Temple alum Haason Reddick. “It’s any game. We want to win every game.”