Peyton said 'No'; What does Fitz say?
Originally published: Mar 18, 2012 - 11:21 am
We thought we'd have to wait to hear Fitzgerald's thoughts on the Manning recruitment until he got back from his Australian vacation. That's not true. Calvisi's interview was conducted via text message (gotta love technology, huh?)
Fitz shares his thoughts on the Cards' attempts at landing Peyton Manning, some details from Manning's visit to the Cardinals training facility and his vacation in Australia.
Paul Calvisi: The Cardinals heard from Peyton Manning late
last week - did u?
Larry Fitzgerald: "I have never had any contact w/Peyton. The
meeting in Indy was a lie and I never spoke to him besides seeing him at
the facility on Sunday before I left."
PC: What can u tell us about that meeting w/Peyton last
Sunday? Your takeaways?
Fitz: "He is what everybody has heard about him. Extremely
intelligent and dots all his I's & crosses his T's. He is what u would want
out of the leader of your O or team for that matter."
PC: In his statement, Coach W called a chance to acquire PM
"something very unique." How much of a difference-maker can he still
be?
Fitz: "I mean, just look at the Colts last year. If he would have
played and been healthy, they still would have won 10 games and made
the playoffs most likely. W/out him, they are picking #1 in a month."
PC: Did u get a sense of what matters the most to him in this
process? And, do you know how seriously he considered AZ?"
Fitz: "No, I didn't speak to him on that level. We watched
tape, he asked questions and that's about it. I would assume what
matters most would be a question for MB, Whiz, or RG."
PC: What did u tell Peyton about this Cards team or how did u
describe the offense/system to PM?
Fitz: "Didn't ask him any of those ?'s. It was all tape watching
& system questions, protections and route adjustments. All football
stuff, then I left b4 lunch."
PC: To what degree was his visit akin to a college recruiting
trip? Also, when PM left AZ, how confident were u? Did u have a gut
feeling of any sort?
Fitz: "No gut feelings. We just watched film. Had no
expectations, just wait & see like everyone else. I don't know what his
other visits were like, so I don't have anything to compare it to, you
know?"
PC: Will it be tough for u not to think about what could've
been w/Peyton? And what's a realistic expectation for the Cards offense
in 2012 under Kolb or Skelton?
Fitz: "I personally don't base things off speculation. I deal in
reality. I'm going to play hard like I always do regardless of who is
throwing the ball to me, let it be u or anybody else."
PC: Good thing it ain't Paulie Paper Lion - LOL! Last ? =
whatz been the highlight or memorable moment from your trip Down
Under?
Fitz: "Playing at the Reef is amazing. The wildlife and fish and
everything else is just so much fun."
PC: BTW - do U get recognized in Australia?
Fitz: "Nope."
PC: Gotcha. XL Thanks, Larry!
Fitz: "NP."




































