Speedy receivers set to burn up stadium's turf
Like the Bengals, the Cardinals' offense boasts a trio of big, fast wide receivers.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
CINCINNATI — Maybe the game should get moved from Paul Brown Stadium to River Downs because of all the thoroughbreds on the FieldTurf.
There's Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Bryant Johnson for the Arizona Cardinals, and there's Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chris Henry for the Bengals.
Extras
Cincinnati's Flying Tigers vs. Arizona's Air Force.
"It'll probably be the prettiest group of wide receivers on both sides of the football that you'll see in the NFL," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. "We need our guys to come out and be the best group.
"The guys on both sides are some big guys. They're not little guys, other than Antonio (Bengals' 5-foot-8 Antonio Chatman). Everybody else is big in stature — guys who are all 6-foot or better. This is what both teams have."
What's more, there will be two quality quarterbacks slingin' it to their stallions. Arizona's Kurt Warner, who is subbing for injured Matt Leinart, is a two-time NFL MVP who won the Super Bowl for St. Louis (1999 season), while Cincinnati's Carson Palmer won Pro Bowl MVP honors (2006 season).
And don't forget the tailbacks — Arizona's Edgerrin James and the Bengals' duo of Rudi Johnson and Kenny Watson.
"They have a great tandem (Fitzgerald and Boldin)," Palmer said. "And they've got a little more experience (at quarterback) now that Kurt is playing. They throw the ball all over the field. Our defense definitely has its hands full with those two guys and Edgerrin in the backfield.
"As far as being a fan — five of the better wide receivers on the field at the same time — it should be a fun game to watch."
Not for the defenses, however.
"First things first, we've got to stop the run," Bengals defensive tackle Domata Peko said.
"They've got big Edgerrin James. We've got to get him going sideways and get to him before he starts going north and south. They have great receivers. Let's get some pressure on Kurt Warner, take him down and force him to throw some quick passes."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com
NFL air show
Arizona Cardinals
Player (Height, Weight) Catches-Yards-TDs
Larry Fitzgerald, at right: (6-foot-3, 226 pounds) 58-811-3
Anquan Boldin (6-foot-1, 217 pounds) 36-380-5
Bryant Johnson (6-foot-3, 213 pounds) 26-283-0
Cincinnati Bengals
Chad Johnson (6-foot-1, 192 pounds) 51-852-3
T.J. Houshmandzadeh (6-foot-1, 199 pounds) 68-719-10
Chris Henry (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) 4-99-0
Sunday's game
Who: Cardinals (4-5) at Bengals (3-6)
When: 1 p.m.
Radio: WTUE-FM (104.7)
TV: WRGT (FOX, Ch. 45)



