There was really no “off” in Larry Fitzgerald’s off-season.
Following a season where he caught 80 passes for 1,411 and eight touchdowns while enduring a rotating door at quarterback, Fitz has taken traveling to another level the past three months. His schedule has included stops in Australia, Europe, South America and Africa twice.
With Cardinals players reporting for voluntary workouts at team headquarters this week, Fitzgerald is back in the Valley preparing for the upcoming season and his Second Annual Larry Fitzgerald Double Play Celebrity Softball Game benefitting his First Down Charity Fund this weekend at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
The Red Birds will open training camp with a quarterback battle between Kevin Kolb and John Skelton after their courtship of Peyton Manning ended last month.
“[Persuing Manning] was a unique situation,” Fitzgerald told Brad Cesmat Monday on ‘Big Guy on Sports.’ “I wouldn’t say the coaches were disappointed with our quarterback play. I don’t think [Kolb and Skelton’s] feelings should be hurt. That’s just the business.”
Another decision the Cards have to make is what to do with their first-round pick (13th overall) in next Thursday’s NFL draft. Most experts feel head coach Ken Whisenhunt, General Manager Rod Graves, and Director of Scouting Steve Keim will look to either strengthen the offensive line or find a big-play wide receiver to complement Fitzgerald.
One of those players is 6’3, 220-pound Michael Floyd from Notre Dame. Floyd, who like Fitzgerald is from Minnesota, has been linked to Arizona in some mock drafts.
“I’ve followed him since [high school] and been really proud to see his growth,” Fitzgerald told Cesmat. “I think he’d be a tremendous addition to our ball club. A guy who can go get the ball at its’ highest point and run after the catch. He’s got great experience and played against top-level competition at Notre Dame. I think he would be a huge help for us.”
He went on to say he likes the Cardinals group of young receivers which includes Early Doucet, Andre Roberts, Stephen Williams and DeMarco Sampson, and knows the front office will put together a great game plan entering the draft, regardless of which direction they go with the 13th pick.
Related posts:
Eric Sorenson
A Valley native, Eric has had a passion for the Arizona sports scene since an early age. He has covered some of the biggest events including Super Bowls, national championships and the NBA and MLB playoffs in his near 20 years in local media.