Arizona Cardinals: Fitz not acting like end is near
By Scott Allen
Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald is entering his 14th, and possibly last, NFL season
With all the change that has taken place with the Arizona Cardinals over the last decade and a half, one thing has remained constant. Larry Fitzgerald has been the number one receiver for the past 13 seasons and has at least one more in him for 2017.
He has addressed his possible retirement more than a few times. Now, he won’t say another word about it until after the 2017 season. He also happens to look like like a receiver still fresh out of college at times.
In the first week of training camp, Fitz has made some plays you wouldn’t expect out of an aging receiver. The talk about retirement has always been instigated by media and fans, not by him or the team.
He isn’t going to make any grand announcement when he does decide to hang it up. Why should he? He deserves the right to go out on his own terms.
After leading the NFL in receptions in 2016 with 107 of them and the team making another run at the Super Bowl, he made the right decision to come back this season.
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He hasn’t ruled out anything after this season either. If he does get that Super Bowl ring however in 2017, then you can likely count him out in 2018. He has said that is the main reason why he keeps playing.
Right now though he is still clearly the team’s number one target in the passing game. He still catches pretty much everything thrown at him.
He may have lost a step or two but not that much. Remember it was just 18 months ago he scooted 75-yards down the sideline against the Green Bay Packers to set up a winning touchdown in overtime. It’s not like the guy can’t run.
His professionalism, his humor, his care of his teammates and love of fans is what continues to impress all of us off the field. On the field he is still as impressive as ever. Never count Fitz out until he says time has run out.
Until then, let’s continue to enjoy his presence. With current uncertainty surrounding other receivers, not only do the Cardinals want Fitz to perform at a high level, they still need him to as well.