2007 Outlook

The third season for Fitzgerald did not provide the breakout year (which really was 2005 anyway) but much of that was due because of a balky hamstring that forced him to miss three games and play less than 100% in a couple others last year. Fitzgerald still ended with 946 yards on 69 catches and scored six times. He had only two games over 100 yards though he was pretty solid in turning in 70 or more in most games. This was a big step backwards from his 1409 yards and 10 scores in 2005.

Fitzgerald had one monster game in 2006 – 172 yards against the Vikings in week 12 but never again had more than 93 for the rest of the year. But he did score four times in those final six games as a precursor to what he can do with a more experienced Matt Leinart under center. So long as he can remain healthy – a problem shared with Anquan Boldin – Fitzgerald will overtake Boldin as the clear top wideout in Arizona this year. In the new scheme ushered in by HC Ken Whisenhunt, the two primary wideouts should continue to enjoy fairly heavy use and Fitzgerald’s success in the endzone will be exploited. Also, Whisenhunt has always been noted for creative, "trick" plays that often use wideouts in various rushing or even passing capacities. Fitzgerald is the best athlete for a Cardinals wideout and that too will lead to more use in any gimmick plays dreamed up by the coaching staff.

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