Fitzgerald shines as Warner leads Cardinals to franchise's first Super Bowl (Warner thanks Jesus)

espn ^ | 1-18-09

[doug from upland]

NOTE: For those who don't get it, Jesus is not rooting for any particular team. When players say that they thank God or say they thank Jesus, they are thanking our Creator for giving them the strength to use the talent God gave them and to be the best they can be.

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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- That's not a mirage rising out of the desert, folks. It's the Arizona Cardinals soaring to their first Super Bowl.

Yes, the Cardinals, founding members of the NFL, but historically among the most dysfunctional of franchises, finally have joined the big boys. Capitalizing on Larry Fitzgerald's three first-half touchdown receptions, then coolly marching downfield to Kurt Warner's 8-yard scoring pass to rookie Tim Hightower with 2:53 left, they beat the Philadelphia Eagles 32-25 Sunday for the NFC championship.

[HiJinx]

Instant communications make tape delays a real bummer....

Watch it anyway, it was a good game.

[machogirl]

how did i manage two posts?

must be that “trigger finger”.

[Laura722]

That is amazing!

[VeniVidiVici]

Donovan McNabb was superb in leading Philadelphia's second-half rally, but he misfired from midfield four times in the final moments.

One can always count on McNabb to come thru in the clutch.

[ExNewsExSpook]

The same can’t be said for the Cardinal’s cheapskate owner, Bill Bidwell. He remains one of the most unpopular men in St. Louis—21 years after he moved the team to Phoenix.

I was cheering for the Cards because of their Missouri roots—and the fact that the Eagles eliminated my team (the Giants) from the playoffs. But there’s little doubt the Cardinals would have been to the Super Bowl long ago, if Bidwell had sold the team to someone else.

[Kid Shelleen]

I saw the young Mr. Fitzgerald being interviewed after the game and he seemed like a class too. Congrats to all Cardinal fans.

[Boiling Pots]

He is probably the best all-around athlete I’ve ever seen on a football field. He’s tall, fast, can jump, long arms, huge, soft hands. He can virtually win games singlehandedly.

By far the best WR in the NFL today.

[Perdogg]

In the three playoff games his rating is 116.67

Att 92

Comp 61

pct: 0.663

Yards: 770

TDS: 8

INT: 1

[Kid Shelleen]

**** Philly Metro/Delaware Valley Ping ****

I knew when all local "experts" picked the Eagles this week we were in big trouble.

[spiderfern]

The defender fell before the ball was halfway to the Eagle receiver. Isn’t it pass interference if the receiver is held and prevented from catching the ball? I don’t think it was pass interference—just another liberal excuse why the Eagles didn’t win the game!

[spiderfern]

and he communicates in ENGLISH very well too!

[machogirl]

Buddy Ryan is finally right, “There’s a winner in town”.

[akorahil]

I am sorry, but this is still the international sign for choking...

[grayeagle]

The Redbirds in the Superbowl ... hell can freeze over.

[TennTuxedo]

Warner, not Manning, should have won the NFL’s MVP award.

[Desdemona]

Kurt Warner is STILL probably the most popular athlete here in St. Louis. All of St. Louis is going to be rooting for him in the Super Bowl.

Not here. He still works for Bidwell.

[Desdemona]

I was cheering for the Cards because of their Missouri roots

Uh, you do know they started out in Chicago. This was just a 28 year weigh station.

[Jeff Chandler]

He also ought to thank that Back Judge who missed the pass interference on Philly's 4th and 10.

Which makes up for the ref calling an inbound ball out of bounds in the first half.

The Cardinals outplayed the McNabbs in the first half, and the McNabbs outplayed the Cardinals in the second half. The score reflects a tough, close, but well earned victory for the buzzards.

[marajade]

um he doesn’t really work for bidwell he’s playing without a contract

[Desdemona]

Um, see, I'm not a football fan. I spent last evening at the Blues/Blackhawks game, if that tells you anything. Really, I watch the Superbowl for the commercials. That being said, the guy is a good quarterback, but I will never root for a Bidwell team.