National Football League

Steelers bracing for another shot of WR Fitzgerald

Published Oct. 19, 2011 10:50 p.m. ET

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Larry Fitzgerald has caught nearly 700 passes during his career. One pass that was never thrown still haunts him.

The Arizona Cardinals wide receiver can still see himself breaking free in the final seconds of the 2009 Super Bowl against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He can still see quarterback Kurt Warner rearing back to throw. He can still see Pittsburgh linebacker LaMarr Woodley sacking Warner and forcing the fumble that gave the Steelers their sixth Lombardi Trophy.

''It's something that crosses my mind more than I would like,'' Fitzgerald said.

Ike Taylor's, too.

The Pittsburgh cornerback spent three quarters keeping Fitzgerald under wraps before the All-Pro receiver almost single-handedly led the Cardinals to the biggest rally in Super Bowl history.

''You think you're on him, but he's gonna do what he does,'' Taylor said.

Fitzgerald leapt over Taylor for a 1-yard touchdown to get Arizona back in it before torching the entire Pittsburgh secondary for a 64-yard score that put the Cardinals in front with less than 3 minutes to go.

The elation lasted the time it took Ben Roethlisberger to lead the Steelers back down the field for the game-winning touchdown.

''I would give everything I had back for those two minutes when we lost that game,'' Fitzgerald said. ''It still breaks my heart to this day. But you've got to look to the future and try and get better and improve.''

Fitzgerald and the new-look Cardinals (1-4) host the Steelers (4-2) on Sunday in their first meeting since Pittsburgh survived on that chilly night in Tampa nearly three years ago.

Arizona hardly resembles the offensive machine that put up unprecedented numbers en route to its only Super Bowl appearance, yet Fitzgerald remains as productive as ever.

So does Pittsburgh's secondary.

The Steelers are No. 1 in the NFL in pass defense, allowing a league-low 157.7 yards per game - but they have yet to face a wide receiver with Fitzgerald's unique skill set.

''I think the jury is still out on us,'' Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. ''We've done some nice things but due to some circumstances, one way or another, we haven't been tested like we will be. The big challenges lie ahead.''

Few are bigger than Fitzgerald.

Sure, the Cardinals are rebooting with quarterback Kevin Kolb and running back Beanie Wells. The Steelers know, however, that Arizona's offense begins - and usually ends - with Fitzgerald's No. 11.

''Fitz is Fitz,'' Taylor said. ''It don't matter what type of quarterback you got. If you get the ball in his area code, nine times out of ten he's going to come up with it.''

Fitzgerald did during his scintillating fourth quarter in the Super Bowl, a virtuoso performance that launched him to stardom. Six months later, he and Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu were gracing the cover of Madden '10.

The typically humble Fitzgerald downplays the impact his Super Bowl performance had on his career, but the Steelers remember. And while Warner is gone, they know Fitzgerald remains as lethal as ever. He's averaging a career-best 15.8 yards per catch and is quickly developing a rapport with Kolb.

''I think now you got a guy who's a long ball thrower throwing him the ball,'' safety Ryan Clark said. ''Kevin Kolb, one of his best throws is getting guys down the sideline ... and guys are trying to press Larry and that makes him a deep threat on every play.''

And while much praise is lavished on Fitzgerald's hands - Clark calls them the best in the league - the Steelers are also wary of his speed.

On Fitzgerald's 64-yard catch and run in the Super Bowl, Taylor bumped Fitzgerald at the line of scrimmage and still had a chance to make a play when Fitzgerald caught Warner's slant pass near midfield.

Or at least he thought he had a chance. Fitzgerald ran away from the entire Pittsburgh secondary - Polamalu included.

''He has everything,'' Pittsburgh wide receiver Mike Wallace said. ''Hands. Speed. Size. Whatever you need, you can just throw the ball up and have two people right there and just come down with it. And you never see him get caught from behind.''

The Steelers haven't allowed a pass over 30 yards this year. Fitzgerald has three catches of at least 34 yards and the Cardinals have six 30-plus receptions as a team.

When teams turn their attention to Fitzgerald, Kolb has options. Early Doucet is among the league leaders in third-down receptions and veteran tight end Todd Heap remains one of the best in the league.

''You can't just put all your focus on him,'' Clark said.

Maybe, but that didn't stop Pittsburgh's scout from trying on Wednesday. Practice team cornerback Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith threw on a red No. 11 jersey then spent the afternoon going one-on-one against Taylor hoping to do his best Fitzgerald impression.

Perhaps inspired by the number, Cromartie-Smith beat Taylor for a long touchdown then jumped over Taylor for another.

''I was just trying to do something to help my team,'' Cromartie-Smith said. ''I know I'm not Larry Fitzgerald. They threw me some jump balls but you know, I can't jump like him.''

The Steelers know nobody really does.

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