Larry Fitzgerald Retiring

[TheSpecialSauce]

1st Ballot HOF

 

[Mikefln]

I enjoy watching a lot of pro athletes do their thing. But Larry was special, to the point that I considered it a true pleasure having seen him play.

 

[pittmeister]

Actually he hasn’t made his decision yet per Kingsbury...

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Imagine if he had Montana and Young throwing to him instead of the cast of jabronis that he had for large chunks of his career.

 

[sonofabit]

Imagine if he had Montana and Young throwing to him instead of the cast of jabronis that he had for large chunks of his career.

They’d still be playing......

 

[Parkview57]

I have never really considered traveling to Canton for the Induction Ceremony, but you know , when the time comes, I just might git me a good 'ole Pitt Flag and drive over there for this one....

 

[PittAU]

Top-5. Great player and it’s said an all-around good egg

 

[JD1976]

Imagine if he had Montana and Young throwing to him instead of the cast of jabronis that he had for large chunks of his career.

Is this really the case though? In his absolute prime he had Kurt Warner who was older but was still playing at a high level and Carson Palmer had some highly productive seasons with Fitz under Bruce Arians. That’s a Hall of Famer and a multi-time Pro Bowler that he got to work with for at least half of his career.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Is this really the case though? In his absolute prime he had Kurt Warner who was older but was still playing at a high level and Carson Palmer had some highly productive seasons with Fitz under Bruce Arians. That’s a Hall of Famer and a multi-time Pro Bowler that he got to work with for at least half of his career.

Perhaps. And it’s always difficult comparing eras. But I think Larry played with some pedestrian QB’s for a large chunk of his career, whereas Rice was blessed like no other. I think it’s pretty easy to assume that LF could have finished #1 in receptions (117 behind Rice) if he were blessed with QB’s his whole career. But Rice is way out in front on TDs, and Rice won Super Bowls. Therefore LF would never be considered the best of all time. But...retiring with the most receptions ever isn’t difficult to imagine.

 

[Pitt_Boss]

That year they made the Super Bowl, Fitz was an absolute monster in the playoffs for ARI. Similar to what Derrick Henry did last playoffs for the Titans, just playing on another level.

 

[pitt90seven]

Is this really the case though? In his absolute prime he had Kurt Warner who was older but was still playing at a high level and Carson Palmer had some highly productive seasons with Fitz under Bruce Arians. That’s a Hall of Famer and a multi-time Pro Bowler that he got to work with for at least half of his career.

no. he really only got a few good years with kurt. 5 seasons total but kurt was hurt a good bit and didn't play much early on. nowhere near "half" of larry's career. he had a banged up carson palmer for a couple of years but the majority of larry's career was with absolute trash qb's.

2005	ARI	10	10	242	375	2,713	64.5	7.2	11	9	63	23	158	85.8	2−8
2006	ARI	6	5	108	168	1,377	64.3	8.2	6	5	64	14	104	89.3	1−4
2007	ARI	14	11	281	441	3,417	62.3	7.6	27	17	62	20	140	89.8	5−6
2008	ARI	16	16	401	598	4,583	67.1	7.7	30	14	79	26	182	96.9	9−7
2009	ARI	15	15	339	513	3,753	66.1	7.1	26	14	45	24	172	93.2	10−5

 

[pittdan77]

When FItz does retire, Pitt would be well served to make him closer to the program if he is willing. Similar to the way AD has been close or even a couple of days a year at camp just to be near the guys. Would pay major dividends if he would be willing.

 

[Pittx9]

That year they made the Super Bowl, Fitz was an absolute monster in the playoffs for ARI. Similar to what Derrick Henry did last playoffs for the Titans, just playing on another level.

I always thought Ike Taylor was severely underrated and one of the best at his position for several years. He was playing great that season, but Larry was on an incredible run... I just didn’t see Ike containing Larry in that game. Before the game I predicted a Steelers win but Larry winning MVP.

Yeah that would’ve been what I personally most wanted to see, but I also thought it was a very realistic possibility. It was damn close to happening. If Ben’s game winning TD went to Heath Miller or someone other than Santonio, it would’ve been really interesting to see if they actually would’ve given it to Larry or just gone ahead and given it to Ben.

 

[Pitt_Boss]

I always thought Ike Taylor was severely underrated and one of the best at his position for several years. He was playing great that season, but Larry was on an incredible run... I just didn’t see Ike containing Larry in that game. Before the game I predicted a Steelers win but Larry winning MVP.

Yeah that would’ve been what I personally most wanted to see, but I also thought it was a very realistic possibility. It was damn close to happening. If Ben’s game winning TD went to Heath Miller or someone other than Santonio, it would’ve been really interesting to see if they actually would’ve given it to Larry or just gone ahead and given it to Ben.

I'm not bothering to look up stats and such, but I remember watching Fitz earlier in those playoffs against the Carolina Panthers and was amazed with the plays he was making...even knowing first-hand how good he was. He just dominated the game like a WR rarely does.

 

[happjack]

I always thought Ike Taylor was severely underrated and one of the best at his position for several years. He was playing great that season, but Larry was on an incredible run... I just didn’t see Ike containing Larry in that game. Before the game I predicted a Steelers win but Larry winning MVP.

Yeah that would’ve been what I personally most wanted to see, but I also thought it was a very realistic possibility. It was damn close to happening. If Ben’s game winning TD went to Heath Miller or someone other than Santonio, it would’ve been really interesting to see if they actually would’ve given it to Larry or just gone ahead and given it to Ben.

James Harrison might have gotten it in that scenario, if Larry Brown got a Super Bowl MVP for being open enough for Neil O'Donnell to throw him two passes opps picks, then Harrison's pick 6 is more than enough to qualify for the award.

 

[303vND]

I'm thinking 46R for his jacket.

 

[pbrad]

James Harrison might have gotten it in that scenario, if Larry Brown got a Super Bowl MVP for being open enough for Neil O'Donnell to throw him two passes opps picks, then Harrison's pick 6 is more than enough to qualify for the award.

James had one of the best plays ever in a super bowl. If it had ended the game rather than the half he wins MVP.

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

Is this really the case though? In his absolute prime he had Kurt Warner who was older but was still playing at a high level and Carson Palmer had some highly productive seasons with Fitz under Bruce Arians. That’s a Hall of Famer and a multi-time Pro Bowler that he got to work with for at least half of his career.

Half of Larry's career was spent with scrubs throwing him the football. It's likely more than half when you look at how many games Warner and Palmer missed in their time at AZ.

I'll be happy if he retires. It's time, and I don't want him to hang around to be old and pedestrian. They can start sculpting the bust right now.

 

[Dointhatrag]

Greatest NFL football graduate from the University of Phoenix

 

[Pittx9]

James Harrison might have gotten it in that scenario, if Larry Brown got a Super Bowl MVP for being open enough for Neil O'Donnell to throw him two passes opps picks, then Harrison's pick 6 is more than enough to qualify for the award.

Was it at the time and is the award still decided via a vote? I know back when the Bucs won the Super Bowl there was a fan vote that they showed throughout the game. And I’ll never forget Dexter Jackson with his 2 INTs, but also Derricks Brooks and Dwight Smith with an INT returned for a TD each. Jackson ended up winning the vote and MVP with a couple minutes left, and then with very little time remaining Smith recorded his second INT and turned into his 2nd return for a TD that night.

Curious because I don’t really recall how many years (or if they still do) they did that for. But it would’ve been interesting to see how many people looking at stats voted for Larry, and how many that witnessed that amazing return would’ve voted for Harrison.

 

[President Stache]

no. he really only got a few good years with kurt. 5 seasons total but kurt was hurt a good bit and didn't play much early on. nowhere near "half" of larry's career. he had a banged up carson palmer for a couple of years but the majority of larry's career was with absolute trash qb's.

2005	ARI	10	10	242	375	2,713	64.5	7.2	11	9	63	23	158	85.8	2−8
2006	ARI	6	5	108	168	1,377	64.3	8.2	6	5	64	14	104	89.3	1−4
2007	ARI	14	11	281	441	3,417	62.3	7.6	27	17	62	20	140	89.8	5−6
2008	ARI	16	16	401	598	4,583	67.1	7.7	30	14	79	26	182	96.9	9−7
2009	ARI	15	15	339	513	3,753	66.1	7.1	26	14	45	24	172	93.2	10−5

I seriously doubt not a single sane person would argue the INCREDIBLE difference in QB play between Rice and Fitz careers and argue that Fitz wouldn’t have had AT LEAST the same numbers as Rice and I’m sure even better (he is basically over Rices pace now with mostly horrible QBs)

he had 2 full seasons with warner and 3 full seasons with Palmer. And if anyone is going to compare Carson Palmer to Montana and young, well.... ok.

He has had 23 QBs and most borderline horrific that would have started for Pitt but not any other pro team