Arizona Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald: Nervous, confident in team heading into Week 1

Sep 5, 2013, 10:57 PM | Updated: 10:58 pm

Larry Fitzgerald will not dwell on what happened last season, nor will he forget it.

As the receiver embarks on his 10th NFL season — all with the Arizona Cardinals — the seven-time Pro Bowler said last season’s struggles do not serve as any kind of motivation now. Instead, he just wants to move on.

“When you look in the rearview mirror it’s hard for you to see what’s going on in front of you,” he said after practice Thursday. “Obviously I’m aware of what happened last year and I don’t ever want to repeat last year, I don’t want to repeat the past.

“Moving forward, I have to focus on what’s asked of from my teammates and my coaching staff, and I can’t give them my complete focus thinking about stuff like that.”

What happened last season was well-documented.

Fitzgerald had arguably the worst season of his career, tallying just 71 receptions for 798 yards and four touchdowns. The reception and yardage totals were the lowest since his rookie season, and the four scores were a career-worst mark.

But that was last year.

This year begins, officially, Sunday as the Cardinals head to St. Louis to take on the Rams. And, Fitzgerald admitted, he’s nervous.

“The nerves make you realize that you’re human, we’re all looking forward to it,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s a great opportunity, a division opponent, a team that played the best amongst division opponents last year.

“It’s going to be a great challenge for us.”

But, it’s one he feels the team is ready for.

“I feel like we’re in a pretty good position,” he said of the offense, noting that the team must improve in the red zone but feels like they have and will show it in the regular season. “We need to be clicking on all cylinders; when we have our opportunities we need to capitalize.”

Arizona Cardinals

Carlos Watkins #91 of the Dallas Cowboys runs into the endzone for a touchdown as Taysom Hill #7 of...
Kellan Olson

Arizona Cardinals sign former Cowboys DL Carlos Watkins

The Arizona Cardinals signed former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Carlos Watkins on Thursday.
2 days ago
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Rashad Fenton kneels on the field before the AFC championship NFL foo...
Arizona Sports

Cardinals ink Rashad Fenton to boost CB depth

The Arizona Cardinals signed former Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons cornerback Rashad Fenton to a one-year deal on Thursday.
2 days ago
Arizona Cardinals WR Hollywood Brown (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)...
Arizona Sports

Cardinals WR Hollywood Brown fined in speeding case

Arizona Cardinals receiver Hollywood Brown was fined $473 with credit for time served for an August speeding arrest on the Loop 101 freeway.
3 days ago
Colt McCoy #12 of the Arizona Cardinals and Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals warm up prior ...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals ‘feel really good’ at QB as Kyler Murray preps for next phase of rehab

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is making steady progress in his rehabilitation from a torn ACL suffered last season.
3 days ago
Arizona Cardinals star backer Isaiah Simmons (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)...
Tyler Drake

Isaiah Simmons remains positionless in Cardinals’ new-look defense

The Cardinals have a decision to make when it comes down to Isaiah Simmons. And no, it's not centered around the fifth-year option.
4 days ago
DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals is called for a personal foul penalty against Eric Sto...
Tyler Drake

Jonathan Gannon operating under premise DeAndre Hopkins will be a Card

While the trade chatter surrounding wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins continues, he's a Cardinal until he isn't in HC Jonathan Gannon's eyes.
3 days ago
Arizona Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald: Nervous, confident in team heading into Week 1