It's a pretty safe assumption that if you are connected with the Arizona Cardinals, the only game you're playing in January is golf.
And if you're playing football -- it's on a television screen with a Playstation 3 controller safely ensconced in your hands.
Saying Arizona Cardinals, NFC Champions and Super Bowl in the same breath is about as unlikely as saying Pacman Jones is synonymous with civility.
But thanks to second-year head coach Ken Whisenhunt, veteran quarterback Kurt Warner, unstoppable wide out Larry Fitzgerald and an improved defense, the Cardinals have defied pro-football observers by reaching the NFL's premiere event.
Whisenhunt and assistant Russ Grimm both worked for the Steelers as recently as 2006. And both know how to execute against them, too, as they showed in a 2007 Week-4 win.
Whisenhunt is also smart enough to know whom their offense should revolve around. Of all the players who have risen to the occasion for Arizona, none has raised his game more than Fitzgerald.
The fifth-year receiver has an extraordinary gift of grab. He plays taller than his 6'3" frame with an unbelievable ability to perfectly time his jumps when the ball is in the air. He will be up against the top-rated pass defense, but his ability to gain yards after the catch sets him apart.
Warner knows full well that if you see Fitz in single coverage, the ball should go to him every time.
And when he's double covered? Well, you may still want it to go his way. Nevertheless, two guys on No. 11 means that their "other" wide out -- Anquan Boldin -- is going to get opportunities. Also, it could expose some rust in the oft-celebrated Steelers' defense.
The Pittsburgh linebackers -- especially James Farrior -- have looked slow over the middle, especially when isolated with a receiver. Arizona doesn't need to run much with Edgerrin James, but J.J. Arrington and Tim Hightower should be open for screen passes. Their speed, along with Steve Breaston in the slot, will be a factor.
Most Cardinals players have zero Super Bowl experience. Thankfully, though, Arizona has big-game familiarity in the best position.
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