Larry Fitzgerald (1 Viewer)

TeeDub said:

How are you guys feeling about Larry fitz this week?

I was ready to put him in as my flex but after hearing about Palmer's elbow (and also Michael Floyd taking so of his catches), I'm thinking about keeping it safe with an rb like Chris Johnson or bobby rainy.

I haven't watcher that many cardinals games but does Palmer mostly just throw the deep ball to Floyd? If so then maybe the elbow injury will be beneficial for fitz.

Click to expand...

PatsWillWin said:

I have no idea why anyone would start him this week after we heard the reports of how he felt after the last game. He wasn't even a consideration for me.

Click to expand...

LargeMouthBass said:

Stingy Titans secondary got torched by Denver. Will Fitz get another TD this week?

Click to expand...

Larry Fitzgerald's dad tweeted Monday that his son is "going to be okay."

"Our prayers have been answered. He passed concussion tests and feels good," read the rest of Fitzgerald's tweet. It's an encouraging development, but we wouldn't read too much into it in regards to the younger Fitz's Week 16 status. He'll have to pass a bunch more tests and get through the week without feeling symptoms before getting cleared to play against the Seahawks. Fitzgerald's concussion appeared severe when it happened.


Source: Larry Fitzgerald Sr. on Twitter

Click to expand...

The Arizona Republic's Kent Somers insists it's "premature" to think Larry Fitzgerald has already passed concussion tests.

This is obvious, but worth pointing out after Larry Fitzgerald Sr. tweeted early Monday that his son had passed concussion tests and is "going to be okay." Larry Fitz is going to meet with a specialist on Monday and needs to pas the league's protocol concussion testing. He has not done that yet. Fitzgerald Jr.'s status for Week 16 at Seattle is very much up in the air.


Source: Arizona Republic

Click to expand...

Larry Fitzgerald (concussion) said he passed his initial baseline tests Monday.

An independent neurologist examined Fitzgerald Monday and compared his scores to the baseline numbers established back in the spring. Fitzgerald passed. He has another meeting with a different neurologist on Tuesday, but sounds confident about his Week 16 status. "I'm going to get some rest today, get some rest tomorrow and get ready for a big game against Seattle next week," he said. Andre Roberts will start in this nightmare matchup if Fitz can't go.

Related: Andre Roberts

Source: Profootballtalk on NBCSports.com

Click to expand...

Larry Fitzgerald (concussion) returned to Cardinals practice Thursday.

Fitzgerald will likely be listed as "limited," but he's officially on track for Sunday's game against the Seahawks and their "Legion of Boom" secondary. Fitzgerald got erased in the teams' Week 7 meeting in Arizona. The concussion isn't a real concern for Fitzgerald's Week 16 status, but the matchup has him as a low-end WR2.


Source: Mike Jurecki on Twitter

Click to expand...

Larry Fitzgerald caught six passes for 113 yards in Sunday's Week 17 loss to the 49ers.
Although Carson Palmer threw for 4,274 yards on the year, this is only Fitzgerald's second 100-yard game of the season. He was more of a possession receiver in his age-30 season, posting just 11.6 yards per catch but getting 10 touchdowns. All in all, his 82-954-10 line is not the bounce-back many expected with Bruce Arians coming to town. Now owed a cumbersome $12.7 million in 2014 and $16 million in 2015, Fitz may be asked to take a pay cut. Even rumors of a potential trade have been floated.

Click to expand...

According to an "individual" CSN New England's Tom Curran believes "without reservation," the Patriots were interested in acquiring Larry Fitzgerald last offseason.

Curran is being extremely careful with his phrasing, but it's notable nonetheless. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in October that moving Fitzgerald would be "in play" for the Cardinals this offseason. It's hard to imagine a better fit than the Patriots, who have a desperate need at receiver. Any potential move is greatly complicated by Fitzgerald's gargantuan $18 million salary-cap number, however. His play has also been on a slow, but steady nonetheless, downward slope. Few teams are more willing to make bold moves than Bill Belichick's Patriots, but acquiring Fitz wouldn't be easy.


Source: Tom Curran on Twitter

Click to expand...

The Boston Herald reports the Patriots and Cardinals "never" engaged in trade negotiations about Larry Fitzgerald.
On Tuesday, CSN New England cited an "individual" whom they believed "without reservation" that the Patriots were interested in acquiring Fitzgerald last offseason. The Herald isn't denying that. But beat writer Jeff Howe reports any potential interest remained in-house, and no negotiations ever took place. Fitzgerald carries an $18 million cap number for 2014, so his name is going to be tossed around some this spring. We don't expect the Cardinals to deal him.

Related: Patriots

Source: Boston Herald

Click to expand...

Larry Fitzgerald says he's "absolutely" willing to restructure his contract.

"If that's what needs to be done, that's what needs to be done," Fitzgerald said in a Thursday radio interview. It is what needs to be done, as Fitz is set to count an untenable $18 million against the cap in 2014. That includes a $12.75 million salary. The Arizona Republic reported earlier this month that Fitz is not open to a straight pay-cut. If that's the case, the sides might not get far in restructure talks. A restructure, as opposed to a cut, would just push the bill down the line for Arizona.


Source: Mike Jurecki on Twitter

Click to expand...

Speaking Thursday, Cardinals president Michael Bidwill hinted Larry Fitzgerald has told the team he's willing to restructure his contract.
"We're excited he's going to work with us to help improve the team," Bidwill said. It's unclear if Bidwill is referring to talks that have already happened, or Fitz's Thursday comments that he's open to a restructure. "I understand at 30 years old there are things that need to change," Fitz said. "That’s part of football, that’s part of being an older veteran. ... I want to see this team do well." Although Fitz is open to a restructure — from which he would have little to lose — it's unclear if he's open to an actual pay cut.

Source: Kent Somers on Twitter

Click to expand...

BeTheMatch said:

Larry restructures to stay in AZ, according to him on Twitter

Click to expand...

According to "two NFL sources," Larry Fitzgerald has agreed only to a "simple restructuring," and not a pay cut.

According to reporter Kent Somers, the Cardinals are converting the vast majority of Fitzgerald's $12.75 million salary into a bonus that can be prorated over the final five years of his contract. It's a huge win for the 30-year-old receiver, who isn't losing a dime of salary. Per Somers, the maneuver created "around $10 million" of cap space, though NFL Network reports the number is closer to $8 million. Either way, it frees up a ton of cash for a team that had less than $2 million in cap space. The downside, of course, is that the Cardinals are simply pushing the momentous bill down the road.


Source: Kent Somers on Twitter

Click to expand...

ESPN Cardinals blogger Josh Weinfuss now sees 2014 as "the equivalent of a contract year" for Larry Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald's restructure merely buys the Cardinals a little time. In 2015, he now carries a $23.6 million cap hit as well as $16 million in total salary. If Fitz fails to reach 1,000 yards for the third straight season and Michael Floyd continues to come on as a potential No. 1 wideout, the Cards may be forced to move on. If Fitzgerald finds his Hall of Fame form, Weinfuss thinks Arizona will "find a way" to swallow the cap hit.

Related: Michael Floyd

Source: ESPN.com

Click to expand...

Coach Bruce Arians wants Larry Fitzgerald to play inside more as he gets older.

Much like Reggie Wayne, Fitz was a strict outside receiver until he met Arians, a master of moving his veteran receivers all over the formation to squeeze out better matchups. "Guys lose a step at age 30," Arians explained. "It's just natural. As hard as they train and everything, at 30 it's just a different ballgame. They accept it, they want to become better players, they say help me become a better player than when I was 26. This is how you do it." Fitz will turn 31 in August and is entering the equivalent of a contract year. He's a good bet to improve on last year's 954 yards.


Source: azcardinals.com

Click to expand...

Faust said:

Rotoworld:

Coach Bruce Arians wants Larry Fitzgerald to play inside more as he gets older.

Much like Reggie Wayne, Fitz was a strict outside receiver until he met Arians, a master of moving his veteran receivers all over the formation to squeeze out better matchups. "Guys lose a step at age 30," Arians explained. "It's just natural. As hard as they train and everything, at 30 it's just a different ballgame. They accept it, they want to become better players, they say help me become a better player than when I was 26. This is how you do it." Fitz will turn 31 in August and is entering the equivalent of a contract year. He's a good bet to improve on last year's 954 yards.


Source: azcardinals.com

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Shutout said:

Faust said:

Rotoworld:

Coach Bruce Arians wants Larry Fitzgerald to play inside more as he gets older.

Much like Reggie Wayne, Fitz was a strict outside receiver until he met Arians, a master of moving his veteran receivers all over the formation to squeeze out better matchups. "Guys lose a step at age 30," Arians explained. "It's just natural. As hard as they train and everything, at 30 it's just a different ballgame. They accept it, they want to become better players, they say help me become a better player than when I was 26. This is how you do it." Fitz will turn 31 in August and is entering the equivalent of a contract year. He's a good bet to improve on last year's 954 yards.


Source: azcardinals.com

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I won't argue with him because what he did with Wayne was amazing but I think it lends itself to assuming and writing players off a bit too soon. Brandon Marshall is a monster anywhere he lines up. Calvin is too. Andre Johnson and Fitz are/can be too. I think the issue in the desert is more about that putrid o-line and QB play moreso than it has ever been about Fitz's age.

Send Fitz to New England, New Orleans, San Diego, Or the Giants and watch how fast he takes 3 years off that "old" body.

Click to expand...

cstu said:

Shutout said:

Faust said:

Rotoworld:

Coach Bruce Arians wants Larry Fitzgerald to play inside more as he gets older.

Much like Reggie Wayne, Fitz was a strict outside receiver until he met Arians, a master of moving his veteran receivers all over the formation to squeeze out better matchups. "Guys lose a step at age 30," Arians explained. "It's just natural. As hard as they train and everything, at 30 it's just a different ballgame. They accept it, they want to become better players, they say help me become a better player than when I was 26. This is how you do it." Fitz will turn 31 in August and is entering the equivalent of a contract year. He's a good bet to improve on last year's 954 yards.


Source: azcardinals.com

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I won't argue with him because what he did with Wayne was amazing but I think it lends itself to assuming and writing players off a bit too soon. Brandon Marshall is a monster anywhere he lines up. Calvin is too. Andre Johnson and Fitz are/can be too. I think the issue in the desert is more about that putrid o-line and QB play moreso than it has ever been about Fitz's age.

Send Fitz to New England, New Orleans, San Diego, Or the Giants and watch how fast he takes 3 years off that "old" body.

Click to expand...

I agree, but he's not going there any time soon.

Click to expand...

Faust said:

Rotoworld:

ESPN Cardinals blogger Josh Weinfuss now sees 2014 as "the equivalent of a contract year" for Larry Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald's restructure merely buys the Cardinals a little time. In 2015, he now carries a $23.6 million cap hit as well as $16 million in total salary. If Fitz fails to reach 1,000 yards for the third straight season and Michael Floyd continues to come on as a potential No. 1 wideout, the Cards may be forced to move on. If Fitzgerald finds his Hall of Fame form, Weinfuss thinks Arizona will "find a way" to swallow the cap hit.

Related: Michael Floyd

Source: ESPN.com

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Now that we have a blog, I thought I'd take some time to write about how I project players every year. And, as part of my job, I project everyone offensively. someone with an extensive track record is easier to project than someone with no track record, and Larry Fitzgerald has been in the league for years. He's an easy guy to evaluate.

The first question: How many games will he play. I think Fitzgerald can safely be penciled in for 16. Even though he'll be 31 when the season starts I think he'll hold up like he has in each of his last six seasons.

Now let's consider his role: Full-time player. Fitzgerald will play the overwhelming majority of downs and is considered the No. 1 receiver on the Cardinals. Last year he caught just over 60 percent of the 136 targets he got, roughly 8.5 per game. I'm hesitant to say he'll receive more work this year than last year because the Cardinals still have Michael Floyd and added two new pieces in Ted Ginn and John Carlson. I doubt Carlson makes a dent but Ginn might -- he had only eight fewer targets than Andre Roberts had last year. So I'd ball park Fitzgerald with the same amount of targets this year as he had last year. However, I expect his catch rate to improve a little bit because the Cardinals O-line will give Carson Palmer a bit more time to throw accurately. At about 62 percent, he's catching 85 passes.

His receiving average didn't rebound last year, finishing at 11.6 yards per catch after getting 11.2 during his hellish year when the Cardinals quarterback carousel broke down in a Skelton-Hoyer-Lindley-esque mess. Again, if Carson Palmer can get a little more time behind his line, his receivers can develop further downfield in their routes. Then again, I don't know how many go routes Fitzgerald is going to run these days, especially with Floyd and Ginn better suited for those roles. I'll give Fitzgerald a nominal increase in receiving average but not a lot more. I'll put him at 11.9 yards per catch.

That puts Fitzgerald at 1,011 yards -- it would be his first 1,000-yard season in three years.

Now then ... touchdowns. This is the least scientific projection of them all. Fitz had 10 last year with Palmer, six in the red zone. Again, assuming the offense improves, Fitzgerald should get close to that number. I prefer to be conservative with older receivers but I feel good about Fitzgerald throwing down nine scores.

The guy has four fumbles in 156 games. I'm not projecting one for him this year.

So there's your projected line for Larry Fitzgerald: 85 catches for 1,011 yards and nine touchdowns. Agree/disagree? Find me on Twitter @daverichard or drop me a note here.

Click to expand...

Grahamburn said:

Fitzgerald will be back to threatening the top 10 in 2014.

Click to expand...

steveski said:

Grahamburn said:

Fitzgerald will be back to threatening the top 10 in 2014.

Click to expand...

Reasoning behind that?

Floyd's getting closer to his prime and Fitz is getting farther from his prime. They don't have a great QB. They don't have much else help besides those 2 big bodies (although Brown and Ginn should help there). I don't think they have a feared running game even though Ellington has shown flashes.

Click to expand...

steveski said:

Grahamburn said:

Fitzgerald will be back to threatening the top 10 in 2014.

Click to expand...

Reasoning behind that?

Floyd's getting closer to his prime and Fitz is getting farther from his prime. They don't have a great QB. They don't have much else help besides those 2 big bodies (although Brown and Ginn should help there). I don't think they have a feared running game even though Ellington has shown flashes.

Click to expand...

Grahamburn said:

steveski said:

Grahamburn said:

Fitzgerald will be back to threatening the top 10 in 2014.

Click to expand...

Reasoning behind that?

Floyd's getting closer to his prime and Fitz is getting farther from his prime. They don't have a great QB. They don't have much else help besides those 2 big bodies (although Brown and Ginn should help there). I don't think they have a feared running game even though Ellington has shown flashes.

Click to expand...

Process of elimination is part of it. Fitz finished 17th in my league last year. Several of the players who finished in front of him are either not likely to repeat their 2013 seasons or Fitzgerald could easily outperform them. Gordon, Brown, Decker, DeSean, Andre, Jordy, Boldin, and Edelman all finished in front of Larry. Any of us can look at those names and think of several reasons why their 2014 won't be as productive as their 2013.

I don't think Fitz is too far past his prime. There are some monster seasons out there for 31 year old WRs. Another year with Carson. I usually view additional weapons (Floyd) as positives for a WR's production.

Click to expand...

Grahamburn said:

steveski said:

Grahamburn said:

Fitzgerald will be back to threatening the top 10 in 2014.

Click to expand...

Reasoning behind that?

Floyd's getting closer to his prime and Fitz is getting farther from his prime. They don't have a great QB. They don't have much else help besides those 2 big bodies (although Brown and Ginn should help there). I don't think they have a feared running game even though Ellington has shown flashes.

Click to expand...

Process of elimination is part of it. Fitz finished 17th in my league last year. Several of the players who finished in front of him are either not likely to repeat their 2013 seasons or Fitzgerald could easily outperform them. Gordon, Brown, Decker, DeSean, Andre, Jordy, Boldin, and Edelman all finished in front of Larry. Any of us can look at those names and think of several reasons why their 2014 won't be as productive as their 2013.

I don't think Fitz is too far past his prime. There are some monster seasons out there for 31 year old WRs. Another year with Carson. I usually view additional weapons (Floyd) as positives for a WR's production.

Click to expand...

steveski said:

Grahamburn said:

Fitzgerald will be back to threatening the top 10 in 2014.

Click to expand...

Reasoning behind that?

Floyd's getting closer to his prime and Fitz is getting farther from his prime. They don't have a great QB. They don't have much else help besides those 2 big bodies (although Brown and Ginn should help there). I don't think they have a feared running game even though Ellington has shown flashes.

Click to expand...

Adam Harstad said:

Grahamburn said:

steveski said:

Grahamburn said:

Fitzgerald will be back to threatening the top 10 in 2014.

Click to expand...

Reasoning behind that?

Floyd's getting closer to his prime and Fitz is getting farther from his prime. They don't have a great QB. They don't have much else help besides those 2 big bodies (although Brown and Ginn should help there). I don't think they have a feared running game even though Ellington has shown flashes.

Click to expand...

Process of elimination is part of it. Fitz finished 17th in my league last year. Several of the players who finished in front of him are either not likely to repeat their 2013 seasons or Fitzgerald could easily outperform them. Gordon, Brown, Decker, DeSean, Andre, Jordy, Boldin, and Edelman all finished in front of Larry. Any of us can look at those names and think of several reasons why their 2014 won't be as productive as their 2013.

I don't think Fitz is too far past his prime. There are some monster seasons out there for 31 year old WRs. Another year with Carson. I usually view additional weapons (Floyd) as positives for a WR's production.

Click to expand...

Including Jordy Nelson on that list does him a huge disservice.

Click to expand...

The Arizona Republic believes 2014 could be Larry Fitzgerald's final season with the Cardinals.

Fitz, who turns 31 at the end of next month, carries a cap number of $23.6 million next season, which would take up 20 percent of Arizona's salary cap. "We've worked hard to keep him a Cardinal," owner Michael Bidwill stated Friday. "We're going to keep him a Cardinal." The Cards would need Fitzgerald to accept a major restructuring, or beat writer Kent Somers believes he would have to be cut or traded. Fitz doesn't have a 1,000-yard season since 2011.

Source: Arizona Republic

Jul 27 - 2:05 PM

Click to expand...

Grahamburn said:

steveski said:

Grahamburn said:

Fitzgerald will be back to threatening the top 10 in 2014.

Click to expand...

Reasoning behind that?

Floyd's getting closer to his prime and Fitz is getting farther from his prime. They don't have a great QB. They don't have much else help besides those 2 big bodies (although Brown and Ginn should help there). I don't think they have a feared running game even though Ellington has shown flashes.

Click to expand...

Process of elimination is part of it. Fitz finished 17th in my league last year. Several of the players who finished in front of him are either not likely to repeat their 2013 seasons or Fitzgerald could easily outperform them. Gordon, Brown, Decker, DeSean, Andre, Jordy, Boldin, and Edelman all finished in front of Larry. Any of us can look at those names and think of several reasons why their 2014 won't be as productive as their 2013.

I don't think Fitz is too far past his prime. There are some monster seasons out there for 31 year old WRs. Another year with Carson. I usually view additional weapons (Floyd) as positives for a WR's production.

Click to expand...

Leonidas said:

Grahamburn said:

steveski said:

Grahamburn said:

Fitzgerald will be back to threatening the top 10 in 2014.

Click to expand...

Reasoning behind that?

Floyd's getting closer to his prime and Fitz is getting farther from his prime. They don't have a great QB. They don't have much else help besides those 2 big bodies (although Brown and Ginn should help there). I don't think they have a feared running game even though Ellington has shown flashes.

Click to expand...

Process of elimination is part of it. Fitz finished 17th in my league last year. Several of the players who finished in front of him are either not likely to repeat their 2013 seasons or Fitzgerald could easily outperform them. Gordon, Brown, Decker, DeSean, Andre, Jordy, Boldin, and Edelman all finished in front of Larry. Any of us can look at those names and think of several reasons why their 2014 won't be as productive as their 2013.

I don't think Fitz is too far past his prime. There are some monster seasons out there for 31 year old WRs. Another year with Carson. I usually view additional weapons (Floyd) as positives for a WR's production.

Click to expand...

Would you mind specifying exactly why you don't think

Jordy Nelson

Andre Brown

Andre Johnson

are not likely to continue their production from 2013?

Click to expand...

Grahamburn said:

Leonidas said:

Grahamburn said:

steveski said:

Grahamburn said:

Fitzgerald will be back to threatening the top 10 in 2014.

Click to expand...

Reasoning behind that?

Floyd's getting closer to his prime and Fitz is getting farther from his prime. They don't have a great QB. They don't have much else help besides those 2 big bodies (although Brown and Ginn should help there). I don't think they have a feared running game even though Ellington has shown flashes.

Click to expand...

Process of elimination is part of it. Fitz finished 17th in my league last year. Several of the players who finished in front of him are either not likely to repeat their 2013 seasons or Fitzgerald could easily outperform them. Gordon, Brown, Decker, DeSean, Andre, Jordy, Boldin, and Edelman all finished in front of Larry. Any of us can look at those names and think of several reasons why their 2014 won't be as productive as their 2013.

I don't think Fitz is too far past his prime. There are some monster seasons out there for 31 year old WRs. Another year with Carson. I usually view additional weapons (Floyd) as positives for a WR's production.

Click to expand...

Would you mind specifying exactly why you don't think

Jordy Nelson

Andre Brown

Andre Johnson

are not likely to continue their production from 2013?

Click to expand...

Other than injury we could probably remove Jordy. Antonio Brown wouldn't be the first WR to have a breakout season only to regress back to his more historical norms the following year. Andre Johnson has requested trades, threatened hold outs, has never been a big TD producer, and has QB questions.

Larry finished 17th. I listed 8 names and said he's likely to threaten the top 10 again this season. I'm not going out on a huge limb here.

Click to expand...

Fitzgerald now lines up outside in two-wide sets and shifts into the slot in three- and four-wide formations. It's the way Bruce Arians extends the careers of once-elite receivers that are beginning to decline.

Click to expand...

Grahamburn said:

Fitzgerald now lines up outside in two-wide sets and shifts into the slot in three- and four-wide formations. It's the way Bruce Arians extends the careers of once-elite receivers that are beginning to decline.

Click to expand...

Reggie Wayne's 2012 with more TDs is coming. Palmer wasn't sharp last night, but the line was giving him some time, and he's still looking for Larry. I really like the Cardinal's offense this season.

Click to expand...