Problems with Larry Fitzgerald?
The Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald had 10 receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns over the first two games of the season. They are not bad numbers, but a little lower than some might have expected after his breakout 2008 playoff run. Fitzgerald has led the NFC in catches and receiving yards over the past two seasons. Though Fitzgerald was tied for 44th in the NFL in receiving yards after Sunday’s 31-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, nobody on the Cardinals is concerned about Fitzgerald becoming the next diva receiver.
In fact, he’s quite the opposite, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “Yeah, I would say so,” he said Monday. Fitzgerald, who caught four passes for 34 yards and a touchdown, bringing his two-game season total to 10 for 105 yards and two scores, was not animated about not getting enough touches. What he was excited about, Whisenhunt said, was the Cardinals getting back on track with a win. The three-time Pro Bowl player led the NFC in catches and receiving yards the past two seasons.”I think the one thing I’m most impressed with Larry – we all know he’s a great player and the strides he made last year – but the leadership strides he’s made this year,” Whisenhunt said, noting that Fitzgerald’s teammates voted him a captain. “It’s the way he handles himself on the field, so no, I’m not concerned about that.”
Neither is quarterback Kurt Warner. “He just doesn’t talk to me,” Warner said, laughing. “He doesn’t give me a hard time. He just gets real quiet. We were calling some plays to try and get Larry the ball . . . but what I wanted to be conscious of in that game was to not force anything just to get him the ball. ” . . . It may not have been this game, but he’ll have his 10 or 12 catches in another one.”



