INSIDE SLANT
NFL Team Report - Arizona Cardinals
WR Fitzgerald insists his future in undecided If Sunday's game against the Rams at State Farm Stadium is going to be the last home game of his brilliant 15-year NFL career, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald isn't saying. That's because the future Hall of Famer swears he doesn't know if this will be his last year or not. "No clue," he said. Typically, Fitzgerald gets away from football for about six weeks after the season before he makes a decision on whether to continue playing. That's the way it's been the last few times he's entered the offseason with uncertainty about his future and/or his contract situation. Fitzgerald isn't under contract for next season, but if he wants to play in 2019, the Cardinals will have no problems offering him a one-year deal to return. He's 35 and has shown no real signs of slowing down, even in an offense that has struggled all season to move the ball and score points. Fitzgerald, though, hasn't been tipping his hand as it relates to this being the end or not. There is hope that the Cardinals have found their franchise quarterback in rookie Josh Rosen and that they not only will have nearly $80 million available in cap space to bring in more players but also will be picking incredibly high in the draft. At 3-13, Arizona is presently in line to have the No. 1 overall pick. The losses have begun to pile up on Fitzgerald, however. "I mean, it's disturbing, it's frustrating. You hate it, but I try to find the silver lining in everything," he said. "It's the holiday season. My kids are healthy. I mean, I'm no different than anybody else. I'm frustrated at work, but there's a lot to be thankful for." Will he feel any different when he runs through the tunnel for player introductions before Sunday's game against the Rams? "No different than any other game," Fitzgerald said. "Honed in and ready to play as I have the hundreds of other times I have done it." Has he thought about the possibility that this might be his last home game ever? "It may. It may not," he said. "NFL careers end every Sunday. I'm just blessed to be able to play the game I love." Fitzgerald did say that he won't play anywhere else, that if it's not with the Cardinals, he won't look to extend his career with another team in hopes of trying to win a Super Bowl. "I have never had any desire to play anywhere else," he assured. "I started here." And now it seems clear he'll finish there, too. But how will he know he's ready to retire? Fitzgerald's three most productive seasons of his career came from 2015-2017. He's only one season removed from those numbers. During that time, he's climbed into second place all-time in NFL history behind Jerry Rice (22,895) in receiving yards (16,190). With 1,293 career receptions, he also needs just 33 more catches to surpass Tony Gonzalez (1,325) and move into second place all-time behind Rice (1,549). If he decides to retire, can he be sure he's making the right decision? "I have spoken with many guys who have played in the past and they say you will know when it's time," Fitzgerald said. SERIES HISTORY: 80th regular-season meeting. Rams lead series, 39-38-2. Arizona is 18-18-2 in the series at home, but the Rams have won the last three meetings at State Farm Stadium. The Rams have won the last three meetings overall, outscoring the Cardinals by a 99-16 margin, and two of those were shutouts as LA toppled Arizona last year in London, 33-0, and beat the Cardinals in Week 2 at home, 34-0.
The Sports Xchange
Recent Stories
Testing Buffalo Bill Page
Joe Horrigan knows the Buffalo Bills
Steelers positional analysis: Kenny Pickett stands alone in QB room
2/17/2024If the Steelers were concerned about the uncertain future at quarterback when Ben Roethlisberger retired, the outlook at the position might not be any more ...
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan doesn’t deserve criticism since Super Bowl
Globe StaffUpdated February 17, 2024, 9:38 a.m.Kyle Shanahan has been on the defensive all week following the 49ers’ 25-22 overtime loss to the Chiefs in the Super ...
New Raiders GM expected to be aggressive in search for top QB
February 17, 2024 - 4:19 PMIf Tom Telesco’s past offers clues about his future, expect the Raiders’ new general manager to be aggressive in bringing in a top-level ...
Latest Player Notes
How a Wisconsin legend got his German protégé into Badgers pro day
Mar 15, 2024
Marlon Werthmann put his life on hold for the opportunity in front of him Friday at the McClain Center.Werthmann ...
Why former Wisconsin football running back Braelon Allen didn't run the 40 at pro day
Mar 15, 2024
Braelon Allen’s sweat covered his shirt and dripped off his beard as he approached a group of reporters Friday.The ...
How can UW recruit its best class ever? It starts with these five prospects
By Andy Yamashita
Seattle Times staff reporter
Jedd Fisch has lofty recruiting goals at Washington. He didn’t waste any ...
Texas football kicks off spring practice Tuesday. We answer 24 questions for the 2024 team
Things certainly look fresh for the 2024 college football season, especially on the Texas campus.There’s a new conference ...
College Football Playoff: Conferences solve their differences (for now) and agree on general framework for 2026 and beyond
The FBS conferences and Notre Dame agreed on Friday to continue the College Football Playoff beyond the 2025 season, signing ...
Ball security, leadership key as Aztecs look to identify starting quarterback
San Diego State seemingly auditions a new starting quarterback on an annual basis.In the past 12 years, the Aztecs have opened ...
Results and more: A look at what happened at Penn State football’s Pro Day inside Holuba Hall
Most of those at Penn State’s Pro Day Friday were relatively quiet throughout the afternoon’s workouts, but there was one ...
Defense dominates first two weeks of Oregon State spring practice as Beavers ready for 2-week breather
CORVALLIS – Oregon State hit the break of spring practices Saturday, not exactly the midpoint but a good place to assess ...
Dillon Gabriel to have similar input, autonomy as Bo Nix had in Oregon’s offense
Published Mar. 16, 2024, 6:26 p.m.By James CrepeaEUGENE — Dillon Gabriel will have much of the same autonomy as Bo Nix did ...
Two transfers, one underclassman who impressed in Missouri football's spring game
With that, spring camp’s a wrap.Missouri football held its Black & Gold spring game Saturday in front of a healthy crowd ...