After his season-highs in catches (eight) and yards (102) in his last game against the 49ers, Larry Fitzgerald chided his son for choosing to attend the state fair instead of coming to the Cardinals’ game to watch Dad.
"It didn't have the effect I thought it would have," Fitzgerald said Thursday. "He was actually pretty emotional about it. I felt pretty bad after, so I want to apologize to him for putting him in that position. We worked past our differences as a family. He'll be there for me when we play the Raiders next week."
First though, the Cards will go to Kansas City this week, and alas, Fitzgerald's kids won't have a chance to – potentially – see Fitzgerald get the 33 receiving yards he needs to supplant Terrell Owens for the second-most in NFL history, behind Jerry Rice.
"Honestly, I don't really look at it," Fitzgerald said. "Honestly."
Are you buying that, coach Steve Wilks?
"Yes and no," Wilks said. "I think he is about the team, and I think he wants to see the team have success. But, he is a competitor, and he is a first-ballot Hall of Famer for that mere reason. So, I think they're both important to him."
It remains to been seen if the 49ers game was a one-off or if the change to Byron Leftwich as offensive coordinator will make that significant of a difference the rest of the season. Fitzgerald said he is feeling better physically after hamstring issues earlier in the season, and that rookie quarterback Josh Rosen has become more comfortable after a handful of starts. The up-tempo offense also helps Rosen, Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald and Leftwich also have developed a trust over the past couple of years, which will help.
"It's no wonder he'll have a gold jacket waiting on him when his time comes," Leftwich said.
While Fitzgerald shrugs off records, he acknowledged he does have one of which he is most proud – the 546 yards in a single playoff year he got in 2008.
"Every player wants to be at their best in the biggest moments," Fitzgerald said. "My numbers in the playoffs say I'm a guy who steps up in the bigger moments."
ARIANS' REUNION WITH THE CARDINALS
Bruce Arians and the Cardinals will be back together this weekend – at least briefly.
The team's former coach, who retired in January, is part of the CBS crew broadcasting the game. Arians will be joined by Greg Gumbel and former Chiefs quarterback Trent Green in the booth. Arians will get the chance to interview a handful of his former players and coaches during production meetings before the game, including Fitzgerald.
"I talk to him at least once a week," Fitzgerald said. "Obviously when you have done what we did here, 50 wins in five years, he developed strong relationships with guys. He was great to work for."
Leftwich, who reiterated the only reason he coaches is because Arians got him into it, said Arians texted him as soon as Arians knew he had the assignment.
"We talk all the time," Leftwich said. "It'll be good to see him, give him a hug."
What kinds of things has Arians told Leftwich?
"Can't say it on TV," Leftwich said with a smile. "He hasn't changed from that standpoint."
BAKER SHOWS UP ON INJURY REPORT, AND NKEMDICHE ALSO SITS
Safety Budda Baker did not practice Thursday because of a foot injury, a new issue that could impact the Cardinals Sunday as they try to deal with arguably the most explosive offense in the NFL. Defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (calf) was downgraded to a DNP Thursday as well, while wide receiver Chad Williams (ankle) remained sidelined.
Limited were safety Tre Boston (chest), tight end Jermaine Gresham (back), guard Mike Iupati (back), guard Jeremy Vujnovich (hamstring), guard Justin Pugh (hand) and defensive tackle Corey Peters (ankle).
For the Chiefs, safety Eric Berry (heel), guard Cam Erving (illness), linebacker Anthony Hitchens (rib), center Mitch Morse (concussion) and wide receiver Sammy Watkins (foot) didn't practice. Linebacker Justin Houston (hamstring), safety Daniel Sorensen (knee) and linebacker Frank Zombo (hamstring) were limited.
Past images of the Cardinals against this week's opponent, the Kansas City Chiefs
St. Louis Cardinals John Roland (23) is hauled down for no gain as Kansas City's George Daney, (#60), and Ceaser Belser (24) gang up for the tackle in Kansas City, on Nov. 23, 1970. The Chiefs and the Cardinals played to a 6-6 tie.
Kansas City Chiefs Richard Armstrong (35) is brought down by St. Louis Cardinals Don Parish (57) as he hits the Cardinals wall on kickoff of game at St. Louis, on Sept. 12, 1970. Armstrong managed to bring the ball from the end zone to the 22 yard line. Action took place in the first quarter.
A 1970 matchup between the Cardinals and Chiefs
St. Louis Cardinals' Terry Metcalf, right, does his missing leg routine on Kansas City Chiefs Tim Collier, left, during exhibition game in Kansas City, Sept. 11, 1977. The Chiefs beat the Cardinals 37-20.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Steve Bono runs alone down the field to score a touchdown on a 76 yard run in the second quarter of their game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Oct. 1, 1995 in Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jake Plummer aims for wide receiver Frank Sanders in the end zone on the first play of the second quarter Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998, against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo. The pass was incomplete and the Cardinals had to settle for a field goal on the series.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) dives for yardage as Kansas City Chiefs' Greg Wesley defends during the first quarter of a football game Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006, at Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart (7) changes the play at the line of scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of a football game Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006 at Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. It was Leinart's first game as a starter.
Kansas City Chiefs Tamba Hali, left, and Jared Allen, center, try to stop Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James (32) during the second quarter of a football game Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006 at Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards watches his team from the sidelines during a football game against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006 at Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers (24) and safety Kendrick Lewis (23) break up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Steve Breaston (15) during the second half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010. The Chiefs defeated the Cardinals 31-13.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) gets around Kansas City Chiefs safety Kendrick Lewis (23) during the first half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Derek Anderson (3) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Paris Lenon (51) and safety Kerry Rhodes (25) during the first quarter an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010 in Kansas City, Mo.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' Frostee Rucker (98) motions for Cardinals football after a play review was ruled a Kansas City Chiefs fumble during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Chiefs 17-14.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, right, talks with Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid after an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Chiefs 17-14.
