Andre Roberts contributes in Cardinals’ win
Dec 5, 2011, 1:50 AM | Updated: 2:01 am
When Steve Breaston opted to sign a free agent contract with the Kansas
City Chiefs this past preseason, there was a lot of talk about the Arizona
Cardinals needing to go out and sign a veteran receiver to flank Larry
Fitzgerald.
Seemingly every day, there was a new name churning through the rumor
mill with a connection to the Cardinals. Braylon Edwards. Malcolm
Floyd. Plaxico Burress. Terrell Owens. None of them were signed.
Instead, the Cardinals opted to stay with young receivers Andre Roberts
and Early Doucet to do the job. Early on Roberts looked lost as the
Cards limped out to a 1-6 lead.
But as the season has worn on, Roberts has looked more comfortable
and confident, and that was evident on Sunday.
The second-year man from The Citadel had 6 catches for 111 yards,
including two catches for 30 yards on the Cardinals’ lone possession in
overtime. He also drew a pass interference penalty in that drive and
threw a key block during LaRod Stephens-Howling’s game-winning
touchdown.
The very fact that Fitzgerald is getting paid so much attention from
opposing defenses is finally helping Roberts and the Cardinals, whereas
it was exploiting a weakness earlier in the year.
“Larry on the other side being double and triple-teamed, even with
defensive linemen on him one time,” Roberts said. “Kevin looked to my
side a little more this game.”
His head coach noticed his contributions on the field as well.
“He is blossoming in front of your eyes is what he is doing,” said about
his young receiver. “You can see his
confidence
growing every week. He made a number of plays for us and went over
100 yards receiving again. He has done that the last couple of weeks.”
