Record-setting Larry Fitzgerald praises young WRs in loss to Lions
Dec 9, 2018, 7:57 PM
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes his 1,282nd career catch to surpass NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the most receptions with one team in NFL history during the second half of an NFL football game as Detroit Lions cornerback Nevin Lawson (24) defends, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Larry Fitzgerald doesn’t like to talk records. But in the midst of a 17-3 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, what he did after setting a new one pointed to what it meant.
A 14-yard catch in the third quarter gave him 1,282 career receptions, all with the Cardinals. It’s the most by a single player for a single team in NFL history, passing Jerry Rice’s prior record set with the San Francisco 49ers.
After making the grab, Fitzgerald, without hesitation, spiraled a cross-field pass to Arizona’s sideline before moving to the next play. You knew keeping the ball meant something to him.
The loss, however, soured the accomplishment.
“My mind is not there,” he said after the game. “I am just frustrated with the way things turned out.
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“We have to be able to execute and cut down the penalties and do a better job.”
Detroit put Fitzgerald in bracket coverage — especially in the first half — feeling it could focus on the veteran in the passing game with the team’s former leading receiver, Christian Kirk, out for the year with a foot injury.
It worked. For the most part, it was a dark day for Arizona’s offense.
Running back David Johnson and the run game rolled up just 61 yards on 21 carries, making the passing game predictable and taking rookie quarterback Josh Rosen out of a rhythm. Of any positives, it was undrafted rookies Trent Sherfield and Jalen Tolliver who came out of the loss as bright spots.
“We all have to step up for Christian,” Sherfield said. “Obviously, he’s not replaceable. He was doing stuff that we need and we are missing that right now.”
Fitzgerald ended the day with five catches and 55 yards.
Sherfield caught a career-high five passes for 77 yards to lead Arizona, while Tolliver made his debut with two catches for 22 yards.
“Jalen came in and made a huge third-down for the first catch of his career. He made another one at the end of the game and did a good job in the run game,” Fitzgerald said. “Trent continues to get better every week.
“Right now, when you’re eliminated from the playoffs, that is all you can do is just build. Every single day you go out to work,” the 15-year-pro added. “Those guys are true professionals. It matters to them. They care.”
That was about the only thing that brightened Fitzgerald’s eyes in his post-game locker room session with the media.
His record and that football he made sure to save? He can enjoy it later.
“When I am done, I think I can look back on it,” Fitzgerald said. “Now is not the time. Being 3-10 is not a good feeling. I don’t feel celebratory.”
