Clan-Members » sharing that status with Paul Gallen and Johnathan

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Larry Fitzgerald is a bit beat up, but thats nothing new.Hes taken a lot of hits in 204 NFL games. And it hasnt mattered whether he plays wideout or in the slot, where he is now. Things get more crowded when playing as a slot receiver, but Fitzgerald said the contact is the same.I took a lot of shots outside, too, he said. You play receiver, youre going to get hit. Its the nature of the beast. But its a good problem to have. If youre not getting hit, that means youre not getting any targets.Fitzgerald had a whopping 18 targets in last Sundays 23-20 victory over San Francisco. Statistically, it was his best game of the season -- 12 catches, 122 yards.He played despite a sore knee and ankle. After the game, he acknowledged hes felt better.You dont play 13 years without playing with pain, Fitzgerald said after the game.Its football, he said. Youre going to get banged up. Its just part of it. Theres a difference between being hurt and being injured. A lot of guys are hurting. I dont want to name any on our team but there are guys that are playing through stuff.So there is no doubt that he will play Sunday when he returns to his hometown to face the Minnesota Vikings.Hes a well-conditioned athlete, Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwyn said. He knows what it takes to be great and he does everything possible as far as getting in the training room and getting the proper rehab that he needs to be successful. So it just comes down to individual want-to. The guy loves football so hes not going to let anybody take him off the grass.This is Fitzgeralds fifth trip to face the Vikings. Arizona has lost the other four.It would bother me if I played for the Vikings (and lost every game there), Fitzgerald joked. Its not like Ive got a big body of work there.Then he reeled off the names of other places where hes never won -- Buffalo, Green Bay, Pittsburgh (as a pro).Theres some places besides Minnesota I havent won, Fitzgerald said.Winning there would be something special, though. Fitzgerald was once a ballboy for the Vikings. He recalled several moments at big events growing up when he was asked about his memories of the late Metrodome.Because his father was a sports writer, he got to know players and was allowed to catch fly balls before some Twins games.I never took it for granted, he said. I was very appreciative of the opportunity.Fitzgerald brushed off the suggestion this might be the last time he plays in Minnesota.I havent thought about that, he said.But hes 33 years old and is in his 13th NFL season. 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Mike Piazza Dodgers Jersey . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Another year of what couldve been for New South Wales but there is still plenty to play for in Game III. The Blues havent been too far off the mark this series and the final Origin appearance for inspirational skipper Paul Gallen should provide added motivation.A number of other familiar faces in the Blues side could be playing for their Origin futures and the inclusion of several new players has freshened up the side with most of the excitement surrounding the highly-anticipated Origin debut of Wests Tigers superstar James Tedesco.At the risk of sounding repetitive, its business as usual for Queensland but they too have no shortage of motivation. Loyal servant Corey Parker will line up for his Origin swansong and has a chance to depart with the Maroons first whitewash victory since 2010.Nothing is more certain at Origin time than the Maroons machine clicking into gear. They are clinical, dominant and have won on three of their past four visits to ANZ Stadium and will take some stopping as they look to improve that record.The Blues have gone with a fresh new look with the likes of Tedesco, Jack Bird, Wade Graham and Tyson Frizell providing a window to the future and possibly a long-overdue change of fortune.Team news:The loss of half-back Adam Reynolds is far from ideal for New South Wales but may not be the major setback it seems. It will allow James Maloney to shift to first receiver and means the impressive Jack Bird will have more game time at five-eighth.The inclusion of full-back Tedesco is most exciting for Blues fans with his sheer pace certain to ask questions of the Queensland defence. Graham and Frizell figure in a new-look back row and there is reason to be optimistic that good times may be on the horizon for New South Wales.Queensland again look settled and the return of Nate Myles after knee surgery has no doubt lifted spirits and confidence in the Maroons camp. There has been a minor injury concern over Origin II hat-trick hero Dane Gagai who is nursing a quad strain, but he will take his place.The selection of 30-year-old Origin debutant Gavin Cooper raised some eyebrows south of the border but was has certainly celebrated north of it. A Maroons victory on his Origin debut will cap a memorable week for the popular North Queensland Cowboys forward after he and his wife welcomed their second child into the world last Wednesday.?New South Wales Blues:?1. James Tedesco, 2. Blake Ferguson, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Josh Dugan, 5. Josh Mansour, 14. Jack Bird, 6. James Maloney, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Robbie Farah, 10. Paul Gallen (c), 11. Wade Graham, 12. Josh Jackson, 13. Tyson Frizell.?Interchange: 18. Matt Moylan, 15. James Tamou, 16. David Klemmer, 17. Andrew Fifita.Queensland Maroons:?1. Darius Boyd, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Greg Inglis, 4. Justin ONeill, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Johnathan Thurston, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Matt Scott, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Nate Myles, 11. Matt Gillett, 12. Sam Thaiday, 13. Corey Parker.?Interchange: 14. Gavin Cooper, 15. Josh McGuire, 16. Aidan Guerra, 17. Jacob Lillyman.Key head-to-head - Paul Galllen v Corey ParkerWhile Queensland lead the series two-nil there has been a struck match between the two sides.dddddddddddd Both teams will be looking for any source of inspiration and they could find it in two of the toughest combatants to pull on their respective jerseys.Blues captain Paul Gallen and Maroons workhorse Corey Parker will wave goodbye to Origin football after game three and both New South Wales and Queensland will be fired up to send their loyal servants out on a winning note -- the team that rises to this occasion the best will more than likely secure victory.Key Stats:Queenslands last Origin series whitewash victory was in 2010.Queensland have not lost game three in an Origin series since 2009.A win in Game III would make Kevin Walters the first Origin coach since Paul Vautin in 1995 to start his tenure with a whitewash.UBET verdict:$1.85 NSW, $2.00 QLDThe dead rubber theory is the only thing we can put down to the support for NSW in Game III of Origin. While there isnt much separating the two sides price-wise, the bulk of the bigger bets have been for NSW; perhaps the thinking being that the Queenslanders dont care as they have already won the series....but we know better than that!Dane Gagai spent a lot of time on the highlights reel following game two after scoring a treble of tries, and he has again been well backed ($11-$10) to be the first try-scorer. Corey Oates is the $8.00 favourite while best backed of the Blues players has been James Tedesco at $13.Tedesco also features prominently in the Player of the Match market. He is one of three players at $8.00, sharing that status with Paul Gallen and Johnathan Thurston. Corey Parker ($11) is attracting a lot of sentimental money at $11 in his last Origin match.Weather:Sydney is expecting a chilly temperature of 11 degrees by kick-off with only a 10 percent chance of rain.Prediction:New South Wales can consider themselves a touch unlucky to be two down in the series, but the fact is they are, and now must find a response at ANZ Stadium to salvage some pride.Losing Reynolds to injury in the lead-up isnt ideal but the upside is that it will likely mean more game time for Jack Bird. The inclusion of Origin debutants Tedesco and Graham represents a view to a more promising future for the Blues and adds some excitement to another failed series for New South Wales fans.?Queensland also have something to be excited about with the hardworking Gavin Cooper making his first appearance. Regardless of the result in Game III, he will enjoy a career highlight lifting the Origin shield for the Maroons.The impending retirements of Gallen and Parker will be emotional for both sides, but once the dust settles I can see a New South Wales victory. The Blues have enjoyed good periods in the first two matches but Im backing them to capitalise on their opportunities this time and post a morale-boosting and face-saving victory.Tip: New South Wales by 8 ' ' '