Atlanta Falcons Prepare To Stop Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals Sunday

When the Falcons host the Cardinals in their home opener Sunday afternoon, one goal is sure to be included in the defensive gameplan: Stop Larry Fitzgerald.

“It’s going to be a very big challenge to our defense this week,” head coach Mike Smith said. “You’re going to have to know where Larry is going to line up.”

Fitzgerald has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in four of his last five seasons, but with Derek Anderson as the new Cardinals quarterback, it remains to be seen how effective Fitzgerald will be in 2010. He caught just three passes for 43 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 against the Rams.

“It’s going to be a different quarterback throwing the ball to him,” said Smith, “but his skill set is unbelievable. He’s got great size, he’s got great range…and he’s got real deceiving speed in the way he runs.”

The Falcons are familiar with Fitzgerald, who in the first round of the 2008 playoffs caught six passes for 101 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown pass in the Cardinals’ 30-24 win against the Falcons.

“We are familiar with Larry,” said Smith. “He’s going to be a guy that they’re going to move into different spots in the offensive formation, so there’s going to be an opportunity for a number of guys to get matched up on him, and we have to have a solid plan to try to minimize his catches.”

The Falcons held the Steelers’ Dennis Dixon to 211 passing yards and no touchdowns in their 15-9 Week 1 loss. They look to have similar success defending the pass when they host the Cardinals Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT.

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