Pitt in the NFL: Alumni Fitzgerald, Revis battle in Week 4

Two of Pitt’s best players since the turn of the millennium collided on the professional gridiron in week four of the NFL season. 

Tampa Bay’s Darrelle Revis (Pitt 2004-2006) — considered one of the best corners in the game — had to take on one of the league’s best wide receivers in Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald (Pitt 2002-2003). The battle between the two former first-round picks was a deadlock through the first 57 minutes of Sunday’s contest, but one Pitt alumnus came out on top.

With 3:06 remaining in the final quarter, Fitzgerald escaped “Revis Island” — the term given to whomever Revis covers on any particular day, due to Revis’ ability to isolate a player from the field — and slipped behind the defense on a crisp post pattern in the end zone. Fitzgerald caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Carson Palmer to tie the game up at 10.

Fitzgerald’s Cardinals rode that momentum to soar past the Buccaneers, 13-10, on a late field goal by Arizona kicker Jay Feely.

Revis had some success against Fitzgerald early in the game with a team-high six solo tackles and a pass defended. He held Fitzgerald — who has yet to eclipse the 100-yard plateau this season — to only 68 yards on nine targets. 

The two played very physical football: Revis battled for a pass intended for Fitzgerald and came down with an interception late in the third quarter. Fitzgerald added a tackle to his box score when he took down Revis after the pick.

Fitzgerald hopes to string together consecutive wins next week when his Cardinals take on the Panthers, who are fresh off a bye week. Meanwhile, Revis and the Buccaneers are heading into their bye week winless so far in 2013.

A few other former Panthers made news on the professional level this week.

LeSean McCoy (Pitt 2007-2008) continues to lead the league in rushing after his 73-yard performance on 16 carries against the Broncos. McCoy now has 395 yards this season, nearly 100 yards more than second-place rusher Doug Martin.

McCoy also had a 21-yard reception Sunday, but his Eagles fell to Denver in a rout, 52-20.

Jon Baldwin (Pitt 2008-2010) made his first catch as a San Francisco 49er last Thursday night. The former first-round pick saw a decent amount of action after being traded from Kansas City in the offseason. He had two catches for 19 yards in a 35-11 victory over the Rams.

Baldwin’s teammate Andy Lee (Pitt 2000-2004) punted the football effectively in week four. Although the 49ers managed to tally 35 points of offense, Lee punted the ball seven times for an average of 54.7 yards. 

Two punts fell inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, and his longest of the evening sailed for 60 yards.

Giants fullback Henry Hynoski (2007-2010), who fractured his shoulder in week three, was placed on the injured reserve list last Wednesday, effectively putting an end to his 2013 campaign.