Cardinals
Fitzgerald is the “ejection seat” to Murray’s “exit button” in that the surehanded wide receiver is constantly popping up in pass plays to help bail Murray out of a jam.
Coach Kliff Kingsbury predicted Fitzgerald would become Murray’s security blanket and it’s clear that’s already the case.
“It’s tough to say Larry is not anybody’s security blanket, you know what I mean?” fellow receiver Christian Kirk said. “Every time you throw the ball at him, 99% of the time he’s going to catch it. It’s definitely good to have him out there and I know Kyler loves having him out there.”
It’s a big brother-little brother relationship between Fitzgerald and Murray, and it’s getting stronger by the day.
Everyone knows Murray will go through his fair share of growing pains, but having Fitzgerald at his side to build him back up and be there to make plays should give Murray an edge that most rookie quarterbacks don’t get.
“He’s a great guy to talk to,” Murray said, smiling. “I’ve seen that very quickly, learning from him. It’s interesting how many years he’s been in the league, how long he’s done it and how great he’s been. I’ve just been picking his brain. For me, I’m lucky I get a whole season with him. Hopefully, he plays more, but it’s great to have him, for sure.”
As for Fitzgerald being that trustworthy security blanket, Murray loves the concept. “That would be great,” he said. “He’s been in the game a long time and he’s seen a lot more football than I have. It’s our job to work each and every day, get on the same page, and if we’re on the same page, I feel like we can be dangerous.”
Fitzgerald has caught passes from a staggering 20 quarterbacks during his time in Arizona.
He’s caught at least one touchdown from 15 of them. His approach with the electrifying Murray will be the same as it was with any number of former Cardinals passers, whether it was Josh Rosen, John Skelton or Derek Anderson.
“When he throws it to me in traffic, contested catches, and I make plays for him,” Fitzgerald said when asked how he can help Murray grow on game days. “That’s how you build your confidence with your quarterback. I remember developing that with Josh McCown and Kurt Warner and Carson Palmer, all the guys I played with.
“It’s just about getting out there on the practice field, them trusting you to make a play, you make the play and then they say, ‘OK, I can fit this ball to him in tight windows’ and that’s how it develops.”
The chemistry and timing ramps up even further when Fitzgerald makes a stunning, one-handed grab in practice and then quickly waves off an incoming young receiver who’s been told to take his place in team drills.
Fitzgerald never wants to come off the field, even at 36. Kingsbury usually relents and rookies like Andy Isabella and Hakeem Butler just wait a little while longer for their turn.
That’s the only selfish side to Fitzgerald, though. On every other front, he’s a perfect gentleman and the consummate pro. Kingsbury points out Fitzgerald’s numerous charity endeavors, the kindness he shows to strangers, how he takes the time to learn ever person’s name in and around the organization and, of course, the tireless work ethic that’s starkly evident in morning walkthroughs.
“How can he help Kyler? In every aspect of football and life,” Kingsbury said. “I’ve never seen anybody close to what Larry does on and off the field. It’s phenomenal. If there was every anybody to learn from, that’s the guy. … If you can do it that way, nobody’s ever done it better in sports, on and off the field, as Larry Fitzgerald. He’s as good as it gets.”
If the bond between Fitzgerald and Murray develops like the two hope it can and will, don’t be surprised if Fitzgerald posts his sixth career season with at least 100 receptions and 1,000 yards receiving. He did that for three consecutive years from 2015-17, so it’s not like it happened a century ago. Besides, playing alongside Murray is making Fitzgerald feel young again.
But make no mistake, Fitzgerald warns, Murray is the story of the Cardinals moving forward.
It’s not Fitzgerald’s team any longer, according to No. 11.
“He’s the first overall pick,” Fitzgerald said. “He’s going to be here a lot longer than I’m going to be here. It’s more about me getting on his page than him getting on my page because I’ll be out the door before he will. It’s going to be his show. If you want to be a part of it, get on board.”