Larry Fitzgerald: best player on the field, last player off the field

Aug 13, 2013, 5:35 PM | Updated: 6:54 pm

I saw it.

So did my co-host John Gambadoro.

So did AZCentral beat writer Kent Somers, and Darren Urban from azcardinals.com.

Paul Calvisi was talking about it on Channel 15 as I was walking out of the stadium Monday.

Larry Fitzgerald, the best player on the field, also happened to be the last player on the field.

Long after everybody else was gone (with one disclaimer I’ll get to in a second) he was working on catching technique with tight end DC Jefferson, who didn’t exactly have a banner night at Lambeau Field. Jefferson dropped a couple of passes, including one in the end zone that certainly could have been thrown better than Drew Stanton threw it.

The bad night was made worse when his coach mentioned him by name in the postgame press conference.

So as the goal posts were being torn down and practice a good 30 minutes in the rear view mirror, there was Fitz putting in the overtime with the rook.

It’s not the first time I’ve seen it.

Last week, same drill. The goal posts were being torn down, the sideline equipment was being torn and there’s Larry Fitzgerald, the last player on the field working endlessly on catching balls over his shoulder.

The world doesn’t necessarily need another blog or column testifying to the greatness of Larry Fitzgerald, but when the cliché — he’s the last player on the field — is the truth, it bears repeating.

The disclaimer is that there was one other player out there too; Patrick Peterson. He was putting in the overtime work as well, signing every autograph for every fan who bothered to stay that long.

Running back Stepfan Taylor takes a hit from defensive lineman David Carter during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Kerry Taylor tries to make a grab during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Drew Stanton receives a snap during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Drew Stanton throws a pass to tight end D.C. Jefferson during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Cardinals specialists talk during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Andre Roberts and quarterback Carson Palmer chat during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Linebacker Alex Okafor rushes the passer during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Members of the offensive line wait during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tight end Rob Housler makes a catch over cornerback Jerraud Powers during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Larry Fitzgerald goes up in traffic during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Ryan Lindley surveys the field during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer and running back Rashard Mendenhall wait during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tight end Rob Housler makes a catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer throws a pass to receiver Jaron Brown during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Cornerback Patrick Peterson lines up during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tight end Rob Housler turns and runs with the ball during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Charles Hawkins makes a catch in the corner of the end zone during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Ryan Lindley lets a throw go while defensive end John Abraham watches during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Larry Fitzgerald watches during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tight end Alex Gottlieb makes a catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Larry Fitzgerald reaches for the pylon during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Lineman Joe Caprioglio battles with defensive tackle Padric Scott during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Offensive lineman Deveric Gallington runs through a drill during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tight end Rob Housler makes a touchdown catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Playing on offense, Patrick Peterson runs with the ball during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Dan Buckner makes a catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Larry Fitzgerald tries for the one-hand catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Lineman Daryn Colledge is in between drills during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Jay Feely kicks a field goal during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Head coach Bruce Arians is in the background while receiver Larry Fitzgerald is in the foreground during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Nicholas Edwards makes a catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Defensive lineman Darnell Dockett and guard Jonathan Cooper battle during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Linemen Daryn Colledge, Eric Winston and Joe Caprioglio run through a drill during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Larry Fitzgerald dives into the end zone during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Guard Daryn Colledge leads the way for Patrick Peterson during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer and head coach Bruce Arians share a conversation during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Defensive end John Abraham prepares for the snap during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) works in the pocket against the Tennessee Titans dur...
Tyler Drake

Lamar Jackson’s trade request adds an extra layer to busy NFL offseason

The twists and turns of the NFL offseason roll on following Ravens QB Lamar Jackson's Monday announcement of his trade request.
17 hours ago
General manager Monti Ossenfort of the Arizona Cardinals speaks to the media during the NFL Combine...
Tyler Drake

2023 NFL Mock Draft Tracker: What will the Cardinals do with 3rd pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
2 days ago
Krys Barnes #51 of the Green Bay Packers breaks up a pass intended for Devine Ozigbo #28 of the New...
Alex Weiner

Cardinals agree to 1-year deal with former Packers LB Krys Barnes

The Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms with 24-year-old inside linebacker Krys Barnes on a one-year contract, the team announced on Saturday.
3 days ago
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals lines up during the NFL game against the...
Wills Rice

Report: Cardinals may want ‘Christian McCaffrey package’ for DeAndre Hopkins

The Cardinals are sticking to their guns in asking for a second round pick for wideout DeAndre Hopkins, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported.
3 days ago
Defensive back Christian Gonzalez #0 of the Oregon Ducks returns an interception in the third quart...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ mock draft scenarios: Arizona deals the No. 3 pick

Trade the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft or keep it? That’s the question Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort will have to answer soon enough.
4 days ago
Arizona Cardinals' owner Michael Bidwill, left, new head coach Jonathan Gannon center, and general ...
Tyler Drake

NFL dates to remember and how they relate to the Cardinals

As Arizona's new regime gets to work on rebuilding the organization, a look at the key dates of the offseason to circle on the calendar.
4 days ago
Larry Fitzgerald: best player on the field, last player off the field