Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald chasing history: By the numbers
Feb 15, 2018, 11:15 AM
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) waves during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints , Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
After mulling retirement, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald announced he would return for his 15th season, putting the minds of Arizona Cardinals fans at ease.
Over the past 14 seasons, cheers have echoed through University of of Phoenix Stadium for Fitzgerald. With season No. 15 on the horizon, so are several milestones in the record books.
We now take a look at Larry Fitzgerald’s progress toward history, by the numbers:
3a
Fitzgerald enters the year the third place all-time in receiving yards with 15,545. He trails Hall of Fame members Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens.
390
It is not out of the question that Fitzgerald could jump into second place in several categories during the upcoming season. However, the most likely category to move up in is receiving yards. Trailing Owens by 389 yards, the lowest single-season total of Fitzgerald’s career came in 2004 when he put up 780 yards during his rookie year.
3b
Throughout the duration of his career, Fitzgerald has been the top receiving option on the Cardinals. His 1,234 receptions are the third-most in NFL history behind Rice and Tony Gonzalez.
92
To pass Gonzalez on the all-time receptions list, Fitzgerald needs 92 catches in 2018. The odds of him moving into second place are favorable as he has recorded three consecutive 100-catch seasons.
5
You don’t reach the top three all-time in receptions without some large single-season numbers. After a 109-catch 2017, Fitzgerald became the fifth player in NFL history with five seasons of 100+ receptions. He joins Calvin Johnson, Wes Welker, and Andre Johnson. Brandon Marshall holds the record, having achieved the feat in six seasons but Fitzgerald could pull even in 2018.
8
The production of Fitzgerald spans beyond first downs and consistency. His 110 career touchdowns rank eighth all-time. With considerable distance separating the top five, his best chance to move up would be to No. 6. He trails Antonio Gates by four touchdowns.
9
Ask (or call for the ball), and you shall receive. Fitzgerald has produced nine 1,000-yard seasons and has gone over the 1,000-yard mark in each of the past three seasons. Extending that streak another year would be the 10th time he reaches the milestone, the second-most in league history behind Rice (14).
