NFL FANTASY FOOTBALL RESOURCES

2006 Player Profile: WR - Larry Fitzgerald

June 12, 2006

Year	Team	Gms	Plays	Targets	Catch	Catch Yards	YPC	Catch TDs	Rush #	Rush Yards	Rush TDs	100 Yard Gms	1 TD Gms
2003	DNP
2004	ARI	16	120	112	58	780	13.4	8					6
2005	ARI	16	168	160	103	1409	13.7	10				7	10
	AVG	16	144	136	81	1095	13.6	9				7	8

Age: 23 Years Played: 2 Height: 6'3" Weight: 224

Background: After spending his teen years as a Minnesota Vikings ball boy under Dennis Green allowed him to learn the craft from NFL greats Cris Carter and Randy Moss, Fitzgerald went on to a highly celebrated college career at the University of Pittsburgh (by way of Valley Forge Military Academy) where he became one of the most accomplished receivers in the history of the Big East Conference, winning the Walter Camp-Player of the Year award, the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best collegiate receiver and a unanimous All American selection as a sophomore. In just 26 games as a collegian, Fitzgerald snared 161 passes for 2,677 yards (16.6 yards per catch) and 34 touchdowns, setting a school record with at least one touchdown catch in 16 consecutive games.

After becoming the Cardinals first overall selection in the 2004 draft (3rd overall behind QB Eli Manning and T Robert Gallery), Fitzgerald led the Cardinals in receiving in his first year with 58 catches for 780 yards and eight touchdowns, trailing only Tampa Bay’s Michael Clayton in receptions for NFL rookies.
His second year with the Cardinals, despite playing with three different quarterbacks during the year, represented another step forward for the then 22 year old pass-catcher, hauling in 103 balls for 1,409 yards and ten touchdowns. Fitzgerald finished 2005 strong, in his last eight games he averaged 87 yards receiving per game and caught six touchdowns, earning a spot on the NFC Pro Bowl as a reserve.

What’s new for 2006: Fitzgerald’s shooting star should continue to rise in 2006 and so will his fantasy draft status in what should be his best year to date, barring injury. With the arrival of Edgerrin James creating a threat on the ground, the benefit to the passing game will be twofold. Not only will opposing teams hesitate from using the all out blitzes of season’s past, leaving them vulnerable to the draw play, but defensive backs will no longer be able to drop back too quickly into coverage because there is now an Arizona running attack that they must respect.

The newfound firepower and balance of the Cardinals skill positions should create an environment of on field success for Fitzgerald, entering the magical third year for receivers in 2006.

2005

2004

2003

Wk	Opp	Tar	C#	CYD	CTD
1	@NYG	14	13	155	1
2	STL	5	4	70
3	@SEA	6	3	41
4	SF	11	7	102	1
5	CAR	14	9	136	1
7	TEN	10	4	71	1
8	@DAL	11	4	36
9	SEA	12	8	102
10	@DET	14	9	141	1
11	@STL	11	9	104	1
12	JAX	5	4	41	1
13	@SF	12	8	129
14	WAS	8	4	23
15	@HOU	11	6	85	1
16	PHI	9	5	93	1
17	@IND	7	6	80	1

Wk	Opp	Tar	C#	CYD	CTD
1	@STL	8	4	70
2	NE	11	5	36
3	@ATL	6	5	37
4	NO	5	3	61
5	@SF	6	5	94	1
7	SEA	6	4	73	1
8	@BUF	5	0	0
9	@MIA	7	5	92	1
10	NYG	7	1	2
11	@CAR	12	7	92	1
12	NYJ	5	2	21
13	@DET	6	2	12
14	SF	8	4	47
15	STL	7	4	37	2
16	@SEA	7	4	70	2
17	TB	6	3	36

Wk	Opp	R#	RY	RT	C#	CY	CT
DNP

Recent Priority News

08/29/10

Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald (knee) was running routes before the team's preseason game Saturday, Aug. 28, reports Kent Somers, of The Arizona Republic. He was not running at full speed but looked faster and smoother than he did last week.

Huddle Up: Fitzgerald continues to workout and rebound from his knee injury in the preseason and remains on pace to be ready to go for Week 1.

08/24/10

Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt is optimistic WR Larry Fitzgerald will not only play in Week 1, but also for the team's preseason finale, according to Kent Somers, of The Arizona Republic. "The hardest thing with Larry is slowing him down," Whisenhunt said. "If Larry had his preference, he would be back playing next week ... I don't think there's any question in any of our minds now that he'll be ready for the first game. I think he'll be ready for the last preseason game, but obviously that's not something we're pushing to do. We'll see where he is next week."

Huddle Up: Fitzgerald is still among the first receivers off the board in most fantasy drafts, but seeing him in the preseason finale would make his fantasy owners feel a whole lot better about their selection.

08/23/10

Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald (knee) was running the length of the field as well as cutting and catching passes while running routes prior to the team's preseason game Monday, Aug. 23, reports Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com. He appears to be on schedule to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Huddle Up: Urban's the man when it comes to the Cardinals beat, and he's said from day one that Fitzgerald's injury isn't serious. It's reportedly a mild sprained MCL and when the season kicks off Fitzgerald will have had four weeks to get well.

08/17/10

Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt said that while the team will take a conservative approach, he fully expects WR Larry Fitzgerald to play in the team's Week 1 game, according to The Associated Press. Fitzgerald, however, has not set any timetables on his return. "I don't set timetables," Fitzgerald said. "I'm just going to do everything they ask me to do, plus some, and hopefully that's going to get me back as fast as possible."

Huddle Up: While Fitzgerald recovers, Steve Breaston and Early Doucet will be the Arizona starters. There doesn't appear to be an immediate reason to panic, but with Kurt Warner retiring and the Cards transitioning to a running team it isn't exactly a boon to Fitz's fantasy value.

08/16/10

Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald (knee) likely will sit out the remainder of the preseason because of a sprained knee, reports The Arizona Republic's Kent Somers.

Huddle Up: Fitzgerald will be fine, though that hasn't stopped Cardinals fans from kicking up dust and complaining about the Anquan Boldin trade. "You see, this is why we shouldn't have let Boldin go," is a common rant.

08/15/10

Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald (knee) is undergoing an MRI on his right knee, reports Kent Somers, of The Arizona Republic. The Cardinals are hoping it is only a slight sprain.

Huddle Up: The Cardinals are likely holding their collective breath at this point until the severity of the injury to Fitzgerald is fully known. With Arizona losing Anquan Boldin to the Ravens in the offseason, the Cardinals will have to turn to Steve Breaston as their top wideout if Fitzgerald is out of action for a while. Keep an eye on the news as the team evaluates their top wideout over the next few days.