AZ (still) on first-name basis with Fitz

Larry Fitzgerald isn’t just a future Hall of Famer. He’s our all-timer, property of the 48th state. A WR rooted in the DNA of AZ.

When Larry comes alive after a catch, the stadium comes alive. When Larry jumps to his feet after a catch, the Red Sea has already beaten him to it. If the Cardinals sideline had a pulse, the stethoscope would monitor Larry.

If you’ve attended a game the past couple seasons, you quickly realized that although University of Phoenix Stadium might have solar panels, Larry is the true source of energy.

So, no wonder Cardinals fans are going all Ed Hochuli and making the first down sign while declaring: “Attention NFL — hands off the player with the best hands in the biz!”

Not even VP Joe Biden can put his hands on our guy now.

Upon finalizing a two-year deal at a reported $11 million per year for an estimated cap savings of $13 million, the flags atop the goal posts started waving. That’s because an entire fan base just exhaled.

So, let it wash over you — Larry Fitzgerald stays home. And that’s the best part, he never left.

No other city will be able to make some sort of (lame) claim that Fitz somehow belongs to them. This won’t be Aeneas Williams all over again, with Rams fans staking (false) coat-tail ownership to Arizona’s own when Canton calls.

And, no doubt, we were all terrified that Fitz was going to run a fly pattern…straight out of town.

But remember — receivers are taught to come back to the ball. And Larry has done exactly that. He earned it and the Cards paid it. In fact, projections estimate that his fourth NFL contract brings his career earnings to over $140 million. Like virtually everything else in his career, that’s well-played. #HolyCannoliStat

But fans will forget the dollars when it makes so much sense. For the next two years, get ready to move the sticks on third down. Heck, feel free to follow Big Red when the mascot fires up a “Larrrry, Larrrry…” chant (Note: under no circumstances do we find “The Wave” acceptable, despite the fact that it made an ugly and unwanted appearance at our Super Bowl. #NotCool).

And take a moment to consider what keeping Larry under contract really means — we just saved a boatload of #11 jerseys from flooding second-hand stores.