Arizona Cardinals: Larry Fitzgerald “Thrilled” To Have Carson Palmer in Arizona
By Baily Deeter
May 14, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) looks on during organized team activities at the Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Larry Fitzgerald had his worst season statistically since 2004 last year, and it wasn’t his fault.
Arizona’s deplorable quarterbacks combined for a paltry 63.1 passer rating in 2012, which would have ranked last for individual passer rating (among qualified quarterbacks). Fitzgerald went down with his quarterbacks, as he caught a mere 71 passes for 798 yards and just four touchdowns. Fitzgerald had accumulated 946 receiving yards or more every year from 2005-2011, but his production dropped astonishingly in 2012.
In 2013, though, Fitzgerald’s numbers should skyrocket. The Cardinals added a quarterback in Carson Palmer who posted the league’s second-highest passer rating in 2005 and is a perfect fit for Fitzgerald. Palmer takes chances and tries to throw the ball into tight windows, and he paid for it with the Cincinnati Bengals and Oakland Raiders. However, with Fitzgerald to bail him out, that shouldn’t happen.
Fitzgerald seems to think that the addition of Palmer will help. According to Chris Wesseling of NFL.com, Fitzgerald is thrilled to have Palmer. He said, “It does instill confidence knowing the leader of your offense is into it and wants to see everyone play at a high level,” which suggests that the team is coming together and getting along well.
The two have the potential to be great together, and this is an encouraging sign for Cardinals fans. It’s going to be a long process, as the team just finished up its first round of OTAs. However, the offense is currently on the right track.