Dealing Cards: Fitzgerald retirement talk put on hold, ‘where’s Clowney?’

TEMPE, Ariz. – With six weeks still remaining in 2017, the Arizona Cardinals’ 2018 picture is coming into focus.

The team announced Friday they had signed wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald to a one-year extension, putting him under contract through the 2018 season.

“Everybody is happy for him,” head coach Bruce Arians said, “and hopefully he comes back and catches 100 more (footballs).”

Entering Week 11, Fitzgerald, 34, leads the NFC with 60 receptions and is on pace for a second straight 100-reception season.

No player in NFL history has ever had 100-plus receptions and 1,000-plus receiving yards in a season he began at age 34 or older.

“It’s a testimony of how he takes care of his body,” running back Adrian Peterson said. “He’s been doing it for, what 13 years now?  (Actually, it’s 14.) That’s incredible, and doing it at a high level. That doesn’t happen. That’s why, you look at him, you know he’s a Hall of Famer. There’s not many Hall of Famers for a reason.”

Whether or not Fitzgerald plays next season has been the subject of much debate. Friday’s news should quiet some of that discussion.

Yes, there’s always the possibility Fitzgerald still calls it a career at season’s end. But, if he does play, the question of where and with whom no longer lingers.

Fitzgerald was not available for comment Friday, leaving his teammates to speak for him.

“I like that (Fitzgerald is signed) because it was discouraging; someone said to me, ‘Do you think Fitz is going to retire this year?’ I’m like ‘I hope not, (not with) all the football he has left.’ I would hate to see my friend go, so that’s positive news; its good news,” Peterson said.

Like Fitzgerald, Peterson is under contract for 2018, as is quarterback Carson Palmer and Arians.

It’s Fitzgerald, though, who has worn the Cardinals uniform the longest.

“He’s been the face of this organization for so long and what he’s done off the field and on the field. You’d hate to see those type of guys retire,” Arians said.

Cardinals to play ‘Where’s Clowney?’

Each Wednesday morning, Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin has several notes ready for his offensive linemen about that week’s opponent. Among them is the subheading: Everybody will see him.

Against the Houston Texans on Sunday, that somebody is Jadeveon Clowney.

“He’s lined up over the center, over the right guard, left guard, right tackle, left tackle; and he’s even played off the ball at linebacker. We want to know where he’s at,” Goodwin said. “He’s a special player. He’s so long and athletic it’s kind of scary. He’s, for sure, the best player on their defense. I couldn’t imagine if they had J.J. (Watt) still playing, too. It’d be real scary.

“We respect him, we’re not going to fear him and we’re going to give him our best.”

Clowney has six sacks this season, tying his single-season high, and his 12 tackles for loss is the most in the AFC and second-most in the NFL.

Blaine not the only Gabbert in action

On Saturday, the day before he will make his first start with the Cardinals, quarterback Blaine Gabbert will be doing his best to follow the action of another quarterback in the family.

Gabbert’s younger brother, Brett, is playing in the Class 6 Missouri High School State Championship Game.

A junior, Brett Gabbert threw three touchdown passes in the semi-finals to advance the 12-1 Christian Brothers Cadets into the title game where they will play Blue Springs.

“I get to watch all his games on Fridays. They stream it live on a YouTube network so I got to watch all his games,” Blaine Gabbert said. “He’s having a heck of a year. I’m proud of my little brother.”

A well-deserved honor

At halftime of Sunday’s game, the Texans will induct former wide receiver Andre Johnson as the inaugural member of the team’s Ring of Honor. He spent 12 seasons in Houston, earning seven Pro Bowl nods and remains the team’s all-time leader in receptions (1,012), receiving yards (13,597) and receiving touchdowns (64).

In other words, Johnson is to the Texans what Fitzgerald is to the Cardinals.

“To be the first in your franchise’s history to be honored with that is amazing,” said Fitzgerald, who entered the NFL in 2004, a year after Johnson. “He was so consistent. Such a professional about the way he went about his business. He exudes class. He’s one of the best to ever to it. He’s a Hall of Fame talent. I’m happy as a fan of his to be able to witness it and see it go up in person.”

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