FITZGERALD

checking in with the likes of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Tony Gonzalez.

For now he still enjoys being around teammates and staff, asking questions in an effort to improve as a player and setting an example and providing leadership for young players.

“He was always a student of the game, but he’s a better student of the game,” Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said, citing how Fitzgerald and veteran quarterback Carson Palmer look as camp gets rolling. “Is it still burning inside? I think both he and Carson, they’re as young as anybody out there right now.”

Arians has said Fitzgerald won’t play in the Cardinals’ exhibition opener, the annual Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 3 against Dallas. Palmer, who was given Sunday off from practice as the team looks to manage his snaps over an extended training camp, will also not play in that game.

“As a player, you play when you’re told to play, you play as long as you have to play. Once you get out there on the field it’s the same game I’ve been playing since I was 6 years old,” Fitzgerald said.

The extra rest might do him some good at age 33, but Fitzgerald feels confident he can still play well. There isn’t much to suggest otherwise: Fitzgerald is coming off back-to-back seasons of 100-plus catches and 1,000-plus yards.

He posted those numbers despite moving inside to slot receiver, where he’s flourished.

“I knew if my number was called, I could still make the play. I’ve proven that over the last few years again, and that’s the way I still feel,” Fitzgerald said.