Fitzgerald ready for 16th season with Cardinals
The start of training camp brings a lot of similar themes when it comes to preparation. Players have been working on their diets, their conditioning, their physicality.
But over all of his time in the league, Larry Fitzgerald has worked on something else.
“I’ve worked really hard on cultivating indifference,” he said.
Now, the future Hall of Famer doesn’t mean he’s dispassionate or that he’s easing off in his approach. Instead, he was talking about how he handles the emotions that come with entering a 16th season in the NFL.
“I try to stay nice and even-keeled no matter what day it is, no matter what’s going on in life,” he said “And I think that that bodes well for somebody my age. You have to be able to roll with the punches and do what what you can to help your guys every single day.”
Fitzgerald, who turns 36 next month, is back, ready for another year of climbing up league and franchise record books. There are few things Fitzgerald has left to cross off his NFL bucket list. Last year, the wide receiver took care of a few more items, throwing his first touchdown pass and spiking the ball another night.
On Thursday, it was back to more routine plays. The Cardinals took the field at State Farm Stadium without pads to ease back into football. While the drills were nothing compared to what games will bring, the fans were thrilled and vocal anytime rookie quarterback Kyler Murray connected with Fitzgerald.
A pass of about 40 yards elicited one of the bigger cheers of the day. Then, just a few minutes later, Fitzgerald had one of his signature stylized snags, a one-handed catch as he fell to the sideline. Cornerback Tramaine Brock Sr. tried to signal that the catch was no good, but Fitzgerald, a roar from the crowd and a referee’s signal said otherwise. Before the day ended, the chants of “LAR-RY, LAR-RY!” broke out from the stands.
At the team’s first practice of training camp, there were 11 wide receivers on the roster, headlined by Fitzgerald and second-year player Christian Kirk. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury knows he’ll need to trim that down, but that will come later.
While younger players vie for spots, Fitzgerald can spend more of his time soaking in the new playbook. The terminology has changed since last year, but in a way that Fitzgerald thinks bodes well: “Actually, it’s a lot more simple,” he said. Fitzgerald also benefits from having worked under a number of different offensive coordinators. He’s had to learn new terminology and schemes before, so he knows he can adapt once again, this time to Kingsbury as offensive coordinator.
“Yeah, I’ve had my fair share (of coordinators), so I think I’ll be alright,” he said.
His main focus will be getting to know his latest quarterback. Fitzgerald has been the team’s star for years, but when he talks about Murray, he mostly frames himself in a supportive role.
“I think guys understand that with the first pick overall, there comes an understanding that it’s gonna be his show, so if you want to be a part of it, get on board,” he said.