‘Night and day’ difference for Arizona Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald

May 28, 2014, 5:38 PM | Updated: 5:45 pm

TEMPE, Ariz. — Like the offense as a whole, Larry Fitzgerald appeared more comfortable as the 2013 season progressed.

It was a bit of a bounce-back season for the Pro Bowler, whose 82 receptions were the most he’d had since 2010 and his 10 touchdowns his highest total since 2009.

About to enter his 11th NFL season, all with the Cardinals, the 30-year-old admits he’s more comfortable now than he was a year ago when he was being asked to learn new positions and a different offense by a first-year coaching staff.

“It’s light years ahead, so much more comfortable,” he said after an OTA Tuesday. “With the play calling and what my assignments are. And not only what my assignments are, but what conceptually what everybody’s doing and what everybody has and hots and sights and stuff like that.

“It’s night and day.”

It’s the difference between year one and year two in a new system, and it was apparent as last season went on that Fitzgerald, who caught 46 passes for 484 yards and five touchdowns over the final eight games, six of which were Arizona victories.

That success has translated into momentum that has carried over to this offseason.

“We watched the tape from last year at this time, there’s a stark contrast, so it’s great to see guys flying around knowing exactly what they need to do,” he said.

So perhaps it should not come as a surprise that there is no shortage of confidence at this point, which is a time of year where some players, especially veterans, may find it tough to stay completely motivated.

That’s not the case in Arizona, Fitzgerald said, noting that everyone in the locker room believes in each other and has no complaints about what they’re being asked to do, even if it means working out in the desert sun, which nobody else in the NFL has to deal with.

“There’s nobody holding their head down, everybody is eager to be out here getting better.”

Receiver Dan Buckner can't come up with the deep pass during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Larry Fitzgerald starts his route while Carson Palmer drops back to pass during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. makes a catch during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer instructs receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Brittan Golden makes a catch during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Logan Thomas throws a pass while assistant coach Tom Moore watches during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Defensive backs Deone Bucannon, Tyrann Mathieu and Antonio Cromartie wait during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tight end Rob Housler waits for the ball during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Ryan Lindley throws to receiver Kevin Smith during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Larry Fitzgerald can't catch an overthrown pass during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Michael Floyd catches the ball during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton drop back to pass during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) The offense huddles during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Jaron Brown makes a sideline catch during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Left tackle Jared Veldheer lines up during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Ryan Lindley lines up under center during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer drops back to pass during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Calais Campbell, Dan Williams and Darnell Dockett wait during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Rookie Kareem Martin takes on a sled during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Corey Washington, John Carlson and Justin Bethel line up during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Kevin Minter and Sam Acho go through a drill during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Stepfan Taylor goes through a drill during Arizona Cardinals OTAs at the team's Tempe training facility May 27, 2014. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Arizona Cardinals

Budda Baker #3 of the Arizona Cardinals shakes hands with fans after beating the Seattle Seahawks 2...

Wills Rice

Carson Palmer believes Cardinals need Budda Baker

Carson Palmer thinks keeping safety Budda Baker around is vital for the rebuilding years of the Arizona Cardinals.

10 hours ago

DeAndre Hopkins...

Arizona Sports

Breer: ‘There’s a healthy divide’ on what ex-Cardinal DeAndre Hopkins has left

The MMQB's Albert Breer sees a split between those who think Hopkins still has something left and those who feel his price tag is too steep.

1 day ago

DeAndre Hopkins speaks after a game...

Dan Bickley

DeAndre Hopkins’ release ends WR’s selfish legacy with Cardinals

For the second time in three years, DeAndre Hopkins is moving on to another team and bringing little or nothing of value in return.

1 day ago

Zaven Collins tackles Dalvin Cook...

Tyler Drake

Vikings hosting joint practices with Cardinals ahead of preseason matchup

The Minnesota Vikings are hosting the Arizona Cardinals for joint practices ahead of their preseason tilt on Aug. 26.

1 day ago

DeAndre Hopkins...

Tyler Drake

Positives of DeAndre Hopkins’ release outweigh negative of Cardinals not trading WR

The Arizona Cardinals missed out on receiving some kind of trade compensation for DeAndre Hopkins this offseason. And that's OK.

1 day ago

DeAndre Hopkins, Deshaun Watson...

Arizona Sports

DeAndre Hopkins market could include Deshaun Watson reunion on Browns

DeAndre Hopkins has an advocate in Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, his former Houston Texans teammate.

1 day ago

‘Night and day’ difference for Arizona Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald