THE NEXT LARRY LEGEND?

My conviction that the Cardinals should win Superbowl 43 has not changed one iota since the inst-analysis following the conference championship games. Speaking of conviction, an obscure Steelers player managed to get arrested last week, thus bolstering my confidence level according to my police blotter indicator, as will the forecast of sunny and humid weather.

Its also been shocking to learn that part of the Cardinals vast defensive improvement is being attributed to extra player film study. The lack of commitment is in the past; a team that believes is dangerous. In the end we still have 2 fairly weak teams in a Superbowl matchup so neither should be able to withstand a negative turnover differential.

Money Management. Assuming Cardinals are +210 to win, and -115 to cover (+7) I advocate a 53.5%/46.5% split on the two plays, respectively. A bettor would gain 144% if Arizona wins, but still breakeven if Arizona just covers. I see Cardinals winning 24-16 (o/u 46.5). MVP: Kurt Warner; major reputation boost: SS Adrian Wilson.

Larry Legend. Since I also dared to compare Larry Fitzgerald to Jerry Rice, the undisputable best receiver in NFL history, and perhaps even the best player overall, I found some interesting parallels:

• Both were highly regarded out of college, but hardly considered freakishly gifted physically;
• Both earned first Pro-Bowl appearance in their second year in the league, although Fitzgerald is 2 years younger at that stage;
• Rice didn’t score the Superbowl XXIII-winning TD on the famous 92-yard drive in the 49ers 20-16 victory over the Bengals, but he did win the MVP after gaining 215 yards on 11 receptions, including 1 TD. At age 26, his reputation as a dominant performer in the most important/visible games would only grow;
• Fitzgerald, now 25, is also at the top of his game and has been having his way against opponents throughout the Cardinals previously unimaginable playoff run while already breaking a total receiving yardage record fomerly held by Rice. The argument that "genius" Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau will be able to neutralize Fitzgerald (while not compromising the defense altogether) is magical thinking - everybody knew long ago he's their primary threat. Fitz is simply unstoppable right now. Scheme is very important from week to week, but talent and confidence should triumph where both sides has ample time for preparation;
• One last factoid: the losing defensive coordinator that allowed Jerry Rice to first establish himself as a NFL immortal in the aforementioned Superbowl XXIII was no other than Dick LeBeau.

Update: 7 receptions for 127 yards including 2 TDs. Yup, Larry did his job.