Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer threw for 304 yards in the team’s season-opening win over the San Diego Chargers. Yet, Cardinals star receiver Larry Fitzgerald had just 22 yards on one catch and was targeted four times.
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While surely Palmer and the Cardinals would have loved to get Fitzgerald more involved, they sent a message on Monday that they weren’t going to force the ball to Fitzgerald if he’s covered. Not surprisingly, coach Bruce Arians verbalized that sentiment on Tuesday.
BA on Fitz's targets: You have to ask the QB. We don't design plays to have guys get the ball. Coverages dictate.
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) September 9, 2014
More BA on indivdual touches/targets: "I'm not interested in anybody's numbers, other than the 'Ws' "
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) September 9, 2014
While Fitzgerald is still a top receiver in this league, forcing balls his way a dangerous game, especially when Arizona has another talented wideout in Michael Floyd on the other side of the field that commands less attention. Floyd finished Monday night’s game with 119 yards on five catches.
Still, not everyone agreed with Arizona’s approach versus the Chargers.
Fitzgerald’s father took to Twitter to suggest the Cardinals ignored his son because of the uncertainty about the receiver’s future in Arizona.
The world saw on Monday Night Football the politics and business of football.If its been decided that you are not getting the ball just win
— Larry Fitzgerald Sr. (@FitzBeatSr) September 9, 2014
Fitzgerald is due a $23.6 million salary next season that Arizona almost certainly will be unwilling to pay.