Steelers bracing to face Fitzgerald

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

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 three 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.”

Fitzgerald and the Cardinals (1-4) play host to 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.”

The Cardinals are rebooting with quarterback Kevin Kolb and running back Beanie Wells. Arizona’s offense begins — and usually ends — with Fitzgerald.