Larry Fitzgerald was asked earlier this week if he might lobby ownership on behalf of much criticized coach Dennis Green (2-9 this season, 13-30 in three seasons coaching the Arizona Cardinals). “I don’t know what the appropriate thing to do is,” Fitzgerald said. “I think the best way to defend his name is to go out and play hard for him every Sunday.”
It’s a typical reaction for players to be loyal to their coaches but Fitzgerald, the 23- year- old wide receiver from Minneapolis, has ties to Green that are unusual. Fitzgerald was a ball boy when Green coached the Vikings. He is appreciative too of the opportunity Green provided in Arizona where Fitzgerald developed into a Pro Bowl player after last season, his second in the NFL.
Green and Fitzgerald’s father, Larry Sr., are friends. Larry Sr. said he and Green talk weekly. He considers Green one of his closest friends and wouldn’t speculate on the coach’s future with the Cardinals after Arizona lost to the Vikings on Sunday.
With replacement names being discussed across the country, few observers would say it’s highly likely Green will return as coach. Regardless of who coaches the team in the future, though, there is reason for optimism because of skill position players such as Fitzgerald and quarterback Matt Leinart.
Fitzgerald missed three games this season with a hamstring injury. Rookie Leinart was a contract holdout during preseason. Because of their newness to one another, Fitzgerald said he and his quarterback are still working on their “chemistry.”
He also indicated they will be together for a long time and will soon develop the connection gifted quarterbacks and wide receivers have for one another. Fitzgerald and Leinart are both hold-your-breath performers who can make the outcome of a football game a last minute scene.
That was what happened Sunday when the Cardinals were driving for a last minute potential winning touchdown against the Vikings. Fitzgerald caught 11 passes for 172 yards in the game and was a threat on the last drive to give the Cardinals a victory.
“There wasn’t anybody on that other sideline taking a sigh of relief as long as Larry was in the game and had the opportunity to make a play,” said Steve Loney, Cardinals offensive line coach.