Cardinals’ Early Doucet going home to Louisiana

Cardinals’ Early Doucet going home to Louisiana

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The last time Early Doucet played in the Superdome, he helped lead Louisiana State to the 2007 national title.

An all-night party erupted on the streets outside the dome as the Tigers faithful celebrated a BCS title game win over Ohio State.

On Saturday, Doucet will return as a member of the Arizona Cardinals, bent on knocking the New Orleans Saints out of the NFL playoffs.

The one-time hero could become a villain. But Doucet isn’t thinking that way.

“It’s not going to be weird, actually,” said Doucet, a product of St. Martinville, La. “I’m going to have some good memories. The last time I played there was for a college national championship, and I did real well. So hopefully I can go back there and have a repeat performance and have our team get a victory.”

Doucet probably could have filled an entire end zone with friends and relatives, but he capped his pass list at 25.

If Doucet plays like he did last weekend, his homecoming may be a happy one.

With Anquan Boldin sidelined by left ankle and knee injuries, Doucet stepped in and caught six passes for 77 yards, including two touchdowns, as the Cardinals outdueled Green Bay 51-45 in overtime in a wild card game.

Doucet didn’t catch a TD pass in his first 16 NFL games. He has three in his last three games.

“Now you’re starting to see the potential,” quarterback Kurt Warner said. “You’re starting to see the talent.

“It’s always fun to see young guys get an opportunity and then excel with that opportunity,” Warner said. “I think I enjoy that as much as anybody because so much of my career was built around that same thing — being that guy that just needed that opportunity, and once I got it was able to make it happen for myself. And I think that’s kind of like what Early’s done.

The defending NFC champions expect another high-scoring game on Saturday at New Orleans, and that means they’ll probably need another big game from Doucet, the No. 3 receiver behind Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston.

Doucet’s willingness to take on defenders reminds many in Cardinals camp of Boldin. Doucet sees the comparison as a compliment.

“As a receiver, you want to strike fear in the defender’s eyes,” said Doucet. “You just want to go out there and be tough and be physical and let them know that they’re going to have to think twice before they come in and try to make the tackle on you.”