MARCUS FITZGERALD GETS HIS SHOT AT THE NFL

By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune

The Vikings hope receiver Marcus Fitzgerald has more in common with his older brother than a last name.

Marcus Fitzgerald attended a handful of regular-season games in which his older brother, Arizona Cardinals standout Larry Jr., played last year. Marcus also was in attendance throughout the playoffs as Larry's numerous receptions helped the Cardinals reach the Super Bowl.

While Marcus was proud, he also longed for the chance to demonstrate his own skills. That wasn't possible after the wide receiver suffered a torn hamstring while doing the 40-yard dash at his 2008 Pro Day at Marshall. The injury meant Marcus didn't have the opportunity to catch on with a team in the spring and he ended up spending his time in the Twin Cities working out and keeping his focus on getting a chance.

That opportunity will come this weekend as Fitzgerald joins a group of players at the Vikings' three-day rookie camp on a tryout basis.

"Last year I pretty much stayed here and just kept training and kept grinding," said Fitzgerald, who trained at Velocity Sports Performance in Champlin. "I knew my opportunity would come eventually. My whole mind-set was to keep training like I knew this was going to happen."

The son of longtime Twin Cities journalist Larry Fitzgerald Sr., Marcus' invitation to the Vikings camp came after he had a discussion with Brad Childress last month while attending a fund-raising event named in honor of Marcus' late mother, Carol.

Fitzgerald, 23, got the opportunity to tell the Vikings coach about himself and his time at Marshall. Fitzgerald's best season came as a sophomore when he had 41 receptions for 448 yards and two touchdowns; he had only five catches for 71 yards as a senior. Childress liked what he heard enough to invite Fitzgerald to try out.

It was a dream scenario for Fitzgerald, who like his brother, had grown up rooting for the Vikings and served as a ball boy for the team from 1998-2003. At the time, Fitzgerald tried to work with the Vikings running backs because that was his position, but eventually he was converted to wide receiver at Marshall.

That, of course, is the same position his big brother plays. Marcus has talked to his brother about this tryout and Larry Jr., 25, is even sending some gloves. But while Marcus appreciates the help, his desire is to make a name for himself.

"My story is going to be different than Larry's," Marcus said. "Larry was the third pick overall [in 2004] and things just happened for him. He got a big contract, got to play right away. But with me having to go through the injury and come through adversity of not getting drafted -- it's a mental test, and really made me persevere and appreciate it that much more."