Larry Fitzgerald one of 2011’s top offensive players
Jan 5, 2012, 5:42 PM | Updated: 5:46 pm
If you’re anything like us, chances are you never get
tired of hearing about Larry Fitzgerald’s greatness.
Easily the Cardinals’ best player, the Pro Bowler just
finished up an 80 catch, 1,411 yard and eight touchdown
season, and his impact truly goes beyond just the stats.
According to the popular and informative ProFootballFocus.com, Fitz was the fifth-
most valuable offensive player in the NFL this year,
trailing only Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Calvin Johnson
and Rob Gronkowski.
Larry Fitzgerald may have achieved more, while working
with less, than anybody else on this list. To record 1,411
yards and eight touchdowns on his 80 receptions with the
quarterback duo of Kevin Kolb and John Skelton throwing at
him is truly remarkable. Fitzgerald amassed more yardage
and touchdowns than the rest of the Arizona wide receivers
put together and did it on 34 fewer receptions than they
combined for. The fact that Arizona finished the season at
.500 owes a huge debt to Fitzgerald’s consistent quality,
and his season is being largely overlooked because
Arizona’s 1-6 start rendered them done from an early
stage. Fitzgerald has every trait you look for in the
perfect receiver, and remains an All-Pro caliber player
year-in, year-out.
You didn’t have to be told of just how good Fitzgerald is,
right?
Whether it’s highlight-reel catches or simply being the
one guy a defense must focus on, having No. 11 on the
field goes a long way towards the Cardinals having any
success. And, while an 8-8 record wasn’t what the team had
in mind going into the season, it did set the stage for
what could be a great 2012, and if the Cardinals return to
the playoffs there’s little doubt it will be Fitzgerald
who leads them there.
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