Making a case for Larry Fitzgerald as a Top 5 Wideout

Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) reacts as he celebrates a play against the Green Bay Packers during an NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) reacts as he celebrates a play against the Green Bay Packers during an NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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As this could be Larry Fitzgerald’s last off-season, a case for the future Hall of Famer.

Larry Fitzgerald a top 5 wide out? …..I THINK SO. If you asked me to name my top five at the WR position it would go something like this:

  1. The G.O.A.T Jerry Rice
  2. Randy Moss
  3. Steve Largent
  4. Terrell Owens
  5.             ?

As you can see that fifth spot is vacant. Maybe you throw the greatest Cowboys receiver in there (Michael Irvin). Maybe you put the wide out who is widely known more for his “post” play antics then what he did during the play (Chad Ocho-Cinco)…..

No…I think that fifth spot is a lock..

A couple weeks ago when Larry’s number was called as the NFL released their player rankings on the “TOP 100” a debate was raised on whether or not Larry Legend would be considered a top 5 player at his position after retirement, and although all analysts contested, I say otherwise.

If his 08′ post season heroics ( 30 receptions, 546 yards, 18.2 YPC and 7 tds in 4 games) aren’t enough to put Larry in the top five conversation the fact that he has posted eight 1,000+ receiving yard seasons should be.  The man drops less passes than any receiver in the league and the clutch factor is unreal. Watch the last two plays of the 2015 playoff game against Green Bay and tell me that didn’t give you goosebumps, (I wouldn’t believe you).

All that aside…he’s also third on the list for all time receptions, and ninth for all time receiving yards, with the chance to move into the top five after the upcoming season.

As if all this is not enough….Larry has played for one team his entire career, he never left for money. In fact, I recall Fitz turning down money so that Anquan Boldin would return one season. He went through countless seasons catching balls thrown by “pop-warner” quarterbacks (no pun intended), and through it all he never left.

Statistically Fitzgerald will go down as a top 5 receiver…why not label him one too?