Larry Fitzgerald: Maybe You Can't Fight the Feeling, but ...
Well, is this an off-season or isn't it?
That's what the holder of 25 NFL records is trying to decide.
It's kinda late for Larry Fitzgerald to be asking that question right now, but if the lure of popping pads and intermittent whistles hasn't drawn him back to the field by now, it seems the situation is gonna linger for at least until mid-season.
By that time, it should become clear as to whether or not the Arizona Cardinals are playoff contenders.
Lotsa stuff would have to go right.
Start with the fact that they're in the ultra-tough NFC West. Playing the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks twice each will be tasks enough, which is why sportsbooks in general think Arizona making the post-season is a lukewarm proposition.
The Cardinals definitely have an air game. The receiving corps is well-stocked:
- Christian Kirk and DeAndre Hopkins returning,
- AJ Green added in free agency, and
- Rondale Moore coming from the draft.
At 38 years of age and with 17 NFL seasons of wear and tear already on his body, maybe Fitzgerald is wondering if he'll get sufficient snaps to make the grind worth it.
Dude's already on record as saying he just doesn't have the urge to play right now but doesn't know if that'll change as the season progresses.
And who knows which twists and turns will pop up, because some of them always do.
- Maybe one or more of the receivers in camp get hurt, as in missing lotsa games kinda hurt;
- Maybe Hopkins makes good on his retiring if he's gotta get vaxxed declaration; or
- Maybe the Cardinals simply need his damn-near-guaranteed-catches as a target option.
Does Larry Fitzgerald have the best hands in NFL history? 🐐 @LarryFitzgerald
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) March 24, 2020
(h/t @mikejurecki) pic.twitter.com/lfDXkSDdCa
For example, pick a season. Any season. Like 2008:
All of these highlights are from one playoff run. In 2008, Larry Fitzgerald had the single-greatest postseason ever by a wide receiver.
— Steve Helwick (@s_helwick) May 15, 2020
30 receptions, 546 yards, 7 TD pic.twitter.com/fA99214lJD
Arizona hasn't been to the playoffs since 2015. Upon further review, dudes probably need more than everything to go right in 2021.
Perhaps they're hoping Pops has some insight into what Junior's thinking that no one else does:
You believe in miracles?🏈👍🕰
— Larry Fitzgerald Sr. (@FitzBeatSr) August 11, 2021
It might be more compelling if Al Michaels said it, but all that really matters to the team is that it happens.