Is Larry Fitzgerald a Top-3 Reciever?
By Lamarr
May 14, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) catches the ball during organized team activities at the Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Hands? Check. Route-running skills? Check? Athleticism? Check. Quarterback….Well that is still somewhat of a question mark for Larry Fitzgerald. The star wide receiver has gone through what he called his worst season as a professional football player.
It is not hard to understand why. Quarterback play was awful mainly due to the offensive line woes as well. Not too many wide receivers flourish without a good quarterback and a decent offensive line, and Fitzgerald definitely didn’t have either of those luxuries.
The top two receivers in receiving yards in the NFL this past season were Calvin Johnson and Andre Johnson. The Lions did not have the best offensive line but they gave Matt Stafford plenty of tie to find his receivers. Andre Johnson not only had a good quarterback but a great offensive line as well, and the Texans were able to be effective in the run as well.
And Fitzgerald had close to nothing to work with.
With that being said, Fitzgerald did not have the type of talent surrounding him that the top two guys have. With Bruce Arians taking over and the Cardinals trading for quarterback Carson Palmer, Fitzgerald should see a bit of a resurgence.
After all, he is the same guy who caught 30 passes for 546 yards and four touchdowns during Arizona’s magical 2009 playoff run.
With the offensive line issues addressed, the addition of Rashard Mendenhall and a healthy Ryan Williams, Palmer will be able to get the ball downfield to Fitzgerald through play action plays. Be on the lookout, the last time a veteran quarterback came to the desert some big things took place.