Arizona Cardinals need to feed Larry Fitzgerald
By Scott Allen
Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald is not getting the ball
Maybe this is part of the reason the team is struggling on offense? The Arizona Cardinals are not feeding the ball to their best receiver, Larry Fitzgerald.
Now, it’s not all on the Cardinals. Fitz has been bothered by a bad back and hamstring, however he has been playing. He was targeted just three times on Sunday in the 28-18 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
He ended up with two receptions for 35-yards. He caught a pass for the 216th-consecutive game. He did not get his first reception on Sunday though until the second half.
So what gives? Is he having trouble getting open? Is Josh Rosen not looking for him? At this rate, one might wonder if Fitz is regretting returning for another season.
My guess is that he isn’t. He dropped a couple of passes last week in Rosen’s starting debut against the Seattle Seahawks. He’s been very un-Fitz like.
What needs to change? Clearly something. If he is healthy enough to suit up to play, then he needs to get involved.
He doesn’t have a touchdown yet this season. He seems to be the third option right now at receiver behind Christian Kirk and Chad Williams. Kirk leads rookies with 19 receptions but Williams has been inconsistent as well.
They need to find a way to get the ball to the guy that can make things happen. He’s on pace for 57 receptions this season.
Could it be this is how they are phasing out Fitz. If so, was he in on the decision? Then again it may be that the Cardinals want to get him the ball and haven’t been able to.
He’s the veteran in the group. The Cardinals need to utilize him. That doesn’t mean force the ball to him however.
The moment they start trying to force feed him the ball bad things will happen. They do need to find a way to get him the ball more often in what now appears could be his final season.