No Warner? No problem for Boldin, Fitzgerald

By Paul Eide  |   Wednesday, October 04, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Arizona Cardinals
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Instability at the quarterback position is nothing new for the Arizona Cardinals. This Sunday, Matt Leinart will be the fifth quarterback to start a game for the Cardinals in little more than two seasons.

The Cardinals' reputation as a successful passing team since Dennis Green's arrival is amazing when you consider how many different quarterbacks have lined up under center during his tenure. The success can largely be attributed to the statistical totals of Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, which have increased each year they've played together and have done so while being the main target of opposing defenses.

Last season the two combined for a total of 205 receptions, 2,811 yards and 17 touchdowns, and were statistically the most successful duo of wideouts in the NFL, beating out Cincinnati's Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (175 receptions, 2,388 yards, 16 touchdown's) and the Colts' Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne (135 receptions, 2,201 yards, 17 touchdowns).

The numbers that Boldin and Fitzgerald accumulated in 2005 are all the more incredible when you consider the inconsistency and mediocre level of talent that Arizona had at the quarterback position. The Cardinals had three quarterbacks start at least two games (John Navarre, Kurt Warner and Josh McCown), compiling a cumulative quarterback rating of 79.3, which ranked ninth amongst quarterbacks with at least 450 pass attempts.

By comparison, Harrison and Wayne's quarterback, Peyton Manning, had the highest rating in the NFL (104.1), while Johnson and Houshmandzadeh's passer, Carson Palmer, had the second-highest efficiency rating(101.1).

The fact that Boldin and Fitzgerald gained over 400 yards more than either of the other duos mentioned sheds light on how effective they have been, no matter who delivered the ball.

When given the chance in 2006, Boldin and Fitzgerald have been the one bright spot for a Cardinals offense that has been plagued by turnovers. The offense has turned the ball over an NFL-leading 11 times and hasn't scored more than two touchdowns in a game since Week 1. Even with the turnovers, Boldin and Fitzgerald have accounted for 53% of the offense's total yardage though four games.

This weekend the Cardinals host the Kansas City Chiefs, who are coming off a dominant 41-0 shutout of the 49ers and are surprisingly ranked as the second-best pass defense in the NFL. On paper, it looks like a particularly rough game for rookie Matt Leinart to make his debut as an NFL starting quarterback, and it may be.

But as far as Boldin and Fitzgerald are concerned, it's just another day at the office in the desert. The revolving door that is the Cards' quarterback position has rotated again, a scenario that has become far too regular for the Arizona faithful.

We'll find out on Sunday if the tandem keeps producing with yet another QB at the helm. Don't bet against them.

Get original Arizona Cardinals coverage at RealFootball365.com
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