Smart Money: How Long Before Larry Fitzgerald Gets Hurt?

TAB BAMFORD by Senior Writer Written on September 11, 2009
DENVER - SEPTEMBER 03:  Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a reception and advances the ball against Denver Broncos during NFL preseason action at Invesco Field at Mile High on September 3, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Cardinals 19-0.  (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The cover art for Madden 2009 is Troy Polamalu hitting Larry Fitzgerald.

The two squared off in the Super Bowl in January, and shared the cover of the popular video game for this year's edition, the cover that allegedly carries a curse.

The Madden Curse has historically been an urban legend, where whomever is on the cover has a down season statistically, or gets hurt after being the face of EA Sports' biggest franchise.

Last night, the curse didn't wait too long to hit the Steelers' Polamalu.

Late in the second quarter, on a blocked field goal, Polamalu apparently sprained ligaments in his left knee and will miss three to six weeks of action. Less than 30 game minutes into the Steelers' defense of their Super Bowl title, they lost the hairy heart of their defense.

And the Curse lives on.

Now, the smart money asks: what's an appropriate over/under on when the Curse hits Larry Fitzgerald?

In Week One, the Cardinals play the 49ers in Arizona. If Fitzgerald catches a ball within 20 yards of the line of scrimmage, he could have a few talented, hard-hitting linebackers hunting for him.

In Week Two, the Cardinals travel to Jacksonville. That could be a game with a lot of hitting, as well.

It's in Week Three, however, that the curse probably has it's best chance of coming for it's other 2009 victim.

It is then that the Cardinals host the Indianapolis Colts, who could see the return of safety Bob Sanders in time for the matchup with the league's best group of receivers. Reports are that Sanders could miss the first five weeks of the season, but getting their best defensive back on the field against the Cardinals is obviously of interest to the Colts.

If Sanders, who is cut from the same mold as Polamalu and Baltimore's Ed Reed, plays in Week Three, Smart Money says Fitzgerald better keep his eyes open.

Over/Under: Halftime, Week Three

Vote Now! - Author Poll

Will the Madden Curse hit Fitzgerald, too?

  • Yes
  • No
  • If it does, my fantasy team is dead!
vote to see results
Results - Author Poll

Will the Madden Curse hit Fitzgerald, too?

  • Yes

    61.5%
  • No

    25.0%
  • If it does, my fantasy team is dead!

    13.5%
  • Total votes: 52
(0)
...
Share This  
Crop_45x45
or to post this comment

9 Comments

There are no comments yet. Get the conversation started by leaving the first comment

Loading more comments...
posted just now
  • Loading...
  • Nobody has liked this comment yet
Cancel

This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete

412
reads

9
comments

written on September 11, 2009 Opinion

The best Cardinals newsletter on the web

Subscribe Now

We will never share your email address


CBS Sports Official Partner
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.