FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -Darrelle Revis knew this would be an intense week of preparation as soon as the New York Jets’ schedule came out.
The second-year cornerback scanned through the opponents and thought about the wide receivers he would likely match up against. It might not get any tougher than this Sunday, when Revis and the Jets’ secondary will try to contain the Arizona Cardinals’ dynamic combination of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.
“I’d say that this is the best duo that we’ll probably face this year,” Revis said Friday. “They’re good, man.”
That’s for sure. Fitzgerald and Boldin are off to terrific starts while helping the Cardinals to a 2-1 record. Fitzgerald has 16 catches for 293 yards and two touchdowns, while Boldin has 17 receptions for 247 yards and four scores. Boldin tweaked a hamstring during practice Friday, but the injury is considered minor and he was listed as probable.
said. “They’re going to fight for the extra yard and they both have very unique skills, skills that you don’t really see from an average wide receiver in the NFL. It’s a challenge and these guys are really good. It’s going to be great.”
Sure, just as long as the secondary can limit the big plays by the Cardinals’ dangerous duo. Fitzgerald had a 62-yard touchdown catch in Arizona’s loss at Washington last Sunday, and Boldin had a 79-yard TD reception in a win against Miami the previous week.
“They are very rarely shut down,” Jets coach Eric Mangini said. “There’s not necessarily one answer to that. It’s a group of answers and a group of things we have to do.”
The Jets did a good job of that in their first two games against Miami and New England, with the biggest reception going for 26 yards by the Patriots’ Wes Welker in Week 2.
It was a different story Monday night in New York’s 48-29 loss at San Diego. Chris Chambers caught a 27-yard pass for a touchdown in the second quarter, and Vincent Jackson had a 60-yard catch that set up another score in the fourth quarter.
Lowery, who won a starting job out of training camp and was impressive in his first two games, was victimized on a few big plays as the Chargers picked on him regularly.
d do it better.”
The Jets better hope so, especially with the guys Lowery and his teammates will be facing. Fitzgerald, in his fifth season, is 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, while Boldin, in his sixth year, is 6-1, 217.
“Anquan is like a running back playing receiver,” Lowery said. “He’s a big physical guy who’ll get the ball and when he gets rolling, he’s a hard guy to take down, especially with his size. A typical defensive back can’t compete with his size. You have to be prepared for that.
“Larry is really good at going and getting the ball. He has one of the best ball skills as a receiver that anyone has ever seen.”
Fitzgerald needs four catches in his 64th game to become third fastest in NFL history to 350. Boldin holds the record for the fastest to the mark, accomplishing it last season in his 58th game.
“It’s fun to watch them grow,” Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner said. “They’re still young guys, still learning and coming into their own. They still have potential to get better. That’s the fun part. You’ve already seen what they’ve been able to accomplish in the short time in their careers.”
They present matchup problems not only because of their speed and size, but also their technique against defensive backs.
physical as they are and let them know you’re going to be there the whole game.”
Along with Revis, Lowery and Barrett, the Jets also have Ahmad Carroll, Drew Coleman, the recently re-signed Hank Poteat and Justin Miller – hoping to play after missing the first three games with a foot injury – at cornerback. Throw in safeties Kerry Rhodes, Eric Smith and Abram Elam, and Mangini has several combinations to defend against the Cardinals’ air attack.
“Every week, there will be two or three guys that will create challenges,” Mangini said. “Sometimes it’s going to be a little guy, sometimes a little fast guy, sometimes it’s going to be a big, physical receiver. You have to have the ability to gauge what you need to do against all those different styles of players.”
Add A Comment