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Steve Breaston: A Forgotten Hero

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There are times when I forget Steve Breaston is a member of the Arizona Cardinals.

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He's just not a guy commands (or wants) a lot of attention, both on and off the field. On the field, he's often overshadowed at his position by superstar Larry Fitzgerald, or even players like hot newcomer Stephen Williams. Off the field, he's a soft-spoken person -- and a bit of a sensitive poet, no less -- who steers clear of media attention and controversy.

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Breaston prefers an understated presence, I'm sure. With defensive backs focusing all of their efforts on Fitz, it often leaves him open to gash opponents for heavy yardage and big plays no one sees coming.

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In a game where Arizona's offense was, frankly, a steaming mess, Breaston once again provided both yards and plays, going for 132 yards on seven receptions, and had a couple of huge defensive plays that kept momentum in the Red Birds' favor. The first came after Hightower's first fumble was recovered by Rams cornerback Bradley Fletcher, and Breaston hustled to make the tackle in the open field. Later in the game, when QB Derek Anderson was sacked and fumbled, Breaston again chased down a Rams defender, this time stripping the ball from DT Clifton Ryan five yards from a touchdown, and the Cardinals recovered.

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Number fifteen doesn't demand a lot of attention and that's just the way he likes it. He moves between the seams, in the shadows and creases of Fitz-centric defensive schemes; he's an intelligent player with great instincts and incredible tenacity and drive.

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Just when you're ready to proclaim that Early Doucet or Williams have arrived, Breaston almost single-handedly saves the team from an embarrassing loss and reminds everyone why only Larry's higher on the food chain.

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