After another Pro Bowl season in 2008 (3rd selection), in which he had 96 grabs, 1,431 yards, and led the league with 12 TD catches, Larry Fitzgerald went on to have a kickass playoffs. He not only set NFL records for most receiving yards and TD receptions, but his late 4th quarter touchdown with 2:13 left nearly won the Super Bowl for the Cardinals. Many believe him to be the best at his position, so why not grace the cover of Madden '10 (along with Steelers Safety Troy Polamalu)? See what the NFL's biggest receiving badass has to say, heading into the season.
Is it awesome being one of the highest rated players in John Madden Football 2010?
That’s not enough. I still got things that I can improve on, so once I get to 100, I’ll be happy. Ninety-nine is still incomplete.
If you got to play defense for one play, is there one guy that you’d really love to lay a hit on?
Not for anything malicious, because I think he’s a tremendous player, but definitely Adrian Peterson. I’d like to see if I could tackle him on the field. He’s a monster.
What’s the hardest hit you’ve ever taken?
I got smacked up by a couple different guys, man. That kind of comes with the territory. Tony Parish, he didn’t knock me unconscious, but I was definitely sleeping on my feet for a little bit.
Are you ever worried someone will bring you down by your hair?
No. I never once got my hair pulled, and I don’t plan on it getting pulled.
It probably helps that you’re faster than everybody else.
Yeah, that helps a little.
Last year, a jagoff blogger challenged you to a footrace, and lost not only the race but the sneakers off his feet, too.
Yeah, he said he wanted to race me, so we put a little friendly wager on it, and fortunately I won.
Do you still have his shoes?
No, I gave them to my buddy. But I gave him another pair.
What a guy! Yet Chris Cooley told us you juked him when he came over to celebrate a touchdown with you in the Pro Bowl. Why’d you clown the poor dude like that?
Man, that was an honest mistake! I saw Anquan Boldin coming over to give me a chest bump and didn’t see Chris. It wasn’t anything against him. Me and Chris go way back, he’s been my buddy since we were rookies. Actually, he quit on me a few times when we were working out in Florida. See if he remembers that!
Are you happy that your QB, Kurt Warner, just got a contract extension?
Yeah—finally he can start picking up some of the tabs at dinner! Now we know he’s not gonna run out on us all the time.