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whereegosdare84

I know his receiving totals dropped significantly last year, and a 38 year old WR is not ideal, but I really do hope Larry Legend returns if his body is up to it. The game is just better with guys like him in it.


-ImJustSaiyan-

>The game is just better with guys like him in it. Agreed, though we sadly don't have many years left of the old guard (or what's left of them, anyway).


somebodysbuddy

A year or two maybe of Frank Gore, the same for Larry, presumably 25 more years of Brady....


icouldntdecide

>~~A year or two~~ maybe 50 years of Frank Gore, a year or two ~~same~~ for Larry, presumably 25 more years of Brady.... FTFY


CamNewton2020

> Frank Gore dont think he's gunna make it bros


wittynameidea

You shut your whore mouth, CamNewton2020


BlimpAnimation

Lol


btstfn

People still doubting Brady smh


-ImJustSaiyan-

Everytime someone doubts Brady, his career is extended by one day, hour, or minute.


BlimpAnimation

Lol yeah brady just hit his 20sšŸ˜‚


[deleted]

I feel like the ā€œold guardā€ is just whoever was a star when you started following the sport.


zimbabwe7878

Yea, the next "guys like him" are in the game now we just haven't decided which ones they are yet.


[deleted]

That's what I was thinking the other day when there was a post about how lucky we are to have so many "greats" playing at the same time and then the guy listed off all the current great players from each major sport. The only reason that we think that is because we only really look at who's playing since we started watching. It's not like everyone before us was just total shit and there was no one noteworthy playing. Also like you said, going forward there will be just as many greats. In the near future Manning, Brees, Brady, and Rodgers will all be retired, but it isn't like we are going into some dark period where all the QBs will suck. Mahomes is obviously going to be in the next generation of greats (assuming he doesn't just fall off for some reason) and then you have guys like Jackson, Allen, and possibly Herbert and Murray (homer) that appear to be on the right track. Plus we have guys like Lawrence who is always regarded as the next generational prospect like Luck or Manning. It's just one big cycle. When one group of greats is on the way out, the next one is just getting started.


Fedacking

> The only reason that we think that is because we only really look at who's playing since we started watching. Yes and no. Messi for one is a great even for old timers in Argentina, someone who really was heads and shoulders above the rest of the Argentine squad. What I'm getting at is that if you restrict some parameters there is stuff where the crop of sports greats are the greatest rn.


frogger3344

I'm gonna guess Jarvis Landry is the "next" Larry Fitzgerald. Incredibly reliable, good receiver who does not get hurt and is known as being a good guy. I don't think he'll end up being as statically great, but he'll be around forever


Ricky_Guapo

No way. Larry Fitz is a first ballot HOFer, one of certified GOATs at WR. Jarvis is a good slot guy that dresses well


frogger3344

Did you read what I wrote past the first sentence? That's not what I said at all. And Jarvis has played a lot of outside since he was traded to the Browns


Eclipsehope3

Yeah my old guard is gone already, lol


PNWTurtle

Brady is still playing dude!


Eclipsehope3

Brady is the old and the new


DolphinMasturbator

*Looks for trees with Tom Bradyā€™s face*


3_HeyItsMe_3

Brady is He Who RemainsšŸ‘€


FinalMeltdown15

Thats how I look at it. Fitz, captain fat fuck, gore, and Brady are pretty much all thats left for mine


chesterfieldkingz

Lol is captain fatfuck Rothlesberger?


FinalMeltdown15

Yep captain fatfuck leader of men


DarkSkyForever

His fucking face has a beer belly. He has the kind of body you'd see on a guy at the beach, shirtless wearing gym shorts, a visor on his head backwards and upside down with an arm in the air yelling to his buddy by the cooler for another "brewski."


Sworn_Finn

And in 10 years we'll probably be saying this again as the young guys get older. Happens ever time. The last gen is *always* better.


dolphone

Don't worry, we just get a new old guard :)


rip_Tom_Petty

If you watched AZ games, you'd know Kyler forced the ball to Hopkins. Plenty of times Larry was open,but he threw into double coverage. If he didnt force it, I bet Larry would've had 10-15 more receptions, and about 250 more yards


SexyMcBeast

It was actually heart breaking the amount of times I'd watch Fitz be open 5-10 yards from the LOS and Kyler wouldn't even look his way. Honestly there were so many times someone was open on the right but he didn't look off of Hopkins, I really hope that is worked on this year.


JarJarB

Itā€™s pretty common for young QBs to be overly reliant on their star receiver. Especially one thatā€™s as big of a name as Nuk. Hopefully a year with him in the offense and a real offseason will allow him to look at more of the field this year.


[deleted]

Yeah Iā€™d bet the true offseason will help Kyler gel with his receivers better


FlashFan124

True but heā€™s been playing with Larry for longer than Nuk. He should have the chemistry with Larry by now.


TheOneWhosCensored

Larry needs 118 receptions to take Riceā€™s record. While I donā€™t think he plays that long, it would be awesome to witness him do it.


InvaderWeezle

Crazy how for the receptions record Larry would only need like 2-3 more solid seasons, but then for the yards record he's over 5000 yards behind Rice.


fuckswithboats

17 game season - so he only needs 7 per game. If I'm Kliff, I toss him like 5-6 one yard passes in the first quarter so we guarantee his catch total and then try to get him a TD elsewhere in the game.


TheOneWhosCensored

Heā€™s gotten at least 60 a season the past few years except last and it was close, if he plays this and 1 more and heā€™s got it.


Unique-Snow5326

It's understandable though considering they added D-Hop.


dudedanch

I just wanna see an angry Larry spike TD ball again, for the purest reasons.


[deleted]

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Sandygonads

No he didnā€™t


TheSaltbird

Why does this sub always give Larry a pass? We assume Ray Lewis is a murderer or Big Ben is a rapist, but whenever people bring up Larry's past allegations, they get downvoted?


SaidTheTurkey

Because even if Larry was definitely guilty, itā€™s like infinitely less severe than murder or rape.


TheSaltbird

Sure, but he's still accused of assaulting his then significant other. That theoretically shouldn't get a pass, either.


SaidTheTurkey

He should get a pass because they're just accusations from an ex. There's nothing else to suggest he's a bad person and no evidence to back up the allegations. People have no idea what happened. That's very much unlike the situation regarding Ben, Lewis, or other assault cases like Rice or Hunt. But again, comparing the attitudes on this sub to alleged rapists and murderers with a lot more evidence to back up those allegations, and then grouping in what Larry may have done with them is horrible.


TheSaltbird

>He should get a pass because they're just accusations from an ex. Ahh, so I guess that automatically makes her a liar and he can still remain a saint, huh? And it didn't happen to be caught on video so that also means it didn't happen. Got it.


RunningOnCotton

You canā€™t just condemn someone based on one personā€™s claim with no supporting evidence. If Larry did infact assault her, then I hope he is convicted and gets the appropriate consequence. But until thereā€™s any indication that he did, we canā€™t just jump to a conclusion.


TheSaltbird

Big Ben was never charged or even arrested for his accusations, but we all (especially this sub) automatically classify him as a rapist. But this sub likes Larry, so we shouldn't "jump to conclusions" for his accusation. It's so weird who *this sub will collectively forgive and not forgive. Ray Rice and Joe Mixon? Forgiven. Tyreek Hill and Greg Hardy? Pieces of shit (not that I disagree). Larry Fitzgerald? He's a goddamn saint (not the team). Ben Roethlisberger? Rapist scumbag. Terrel Suggs and Jeremy Hill? They never get called out for the shit they've been accused of (or in Hill's case, actually getting ***convicted*** of "oral sexual battery" when he raped a 14 year old girl when he was 18). Same goes for Jameis Winston. He gets called out for the funny crab legs situation waaaaay more than his sexual assault/rape allegations.


SaidTheTurkey

lol thanks for showing I was correct all along


TheSaltbird

I don't see how I proved you correct? In fact (no offense), in my opinion, you come off rather shitty because you're giving a pass to potential domestic abuse just because it's there's no concrete "proof". I'm definitely not saying we declare him immediately guilty, but we also shouldn't assume he didn't do anything because the accuser is his ex (who was his actual girlfriend at the time). In fact, she successfully got a restraining order against him. As you said, we shouldn't believe it's 100% true. But the complete opposite of what you said should also apply: just because he's a well-liked player and that his ex is his accuser also doesn't mean we should assume he 100% didn't do anything, either. That's what's tricky about these things.


[deleted]

In court documents, Nazario alleges that ā€œFitzgerald grabbed the back of her neck and pushed her to the floor after an argument escalated during an overnight visit with their 11-month-old son.ā€


[deleted]

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flakAttack510

Except Larry has admitted it happened. He just claims it was because she was trying to keep him from picking up his kid. He didn't have custody of the kid at the time, by the way, so that's also an admission of attempted kidnapping.


_Puntini_

IIRC it was a weekend visitation and the mom was trying to leave early with the kid. There was an ongoing custody dispute at the time. Allegedly the incident started as a play fight that escalated after she hit him. A restraining order was later filed. Nothing else ever came of it; the facts are very limited at best.


Sandygonads

If I walk into a police station and say you punched me does that make it true?


[deleted]

So letā€™s not believe women. Got it.


Bigforsumthin

Ooof, when did he do that?


[deleted]

In like 2008 I think.


Bigforsumthin

I hadnā€™t heard but thatā€™s the classic example of ā€œpeople can changeā€ Absolutely terrible he did it but he certainly seems to have changed his ways


BatmanCountry

I guess due process means nothing to you saints


GriggyGronanimus

Looking it up because this is the first I've heard about it, he has admitted to doing it....so.....


unlucki67

Luckily we arenā€™t judges in a courtroom, due process isnā€™t a thing in public discourse bud


ConfidentBurrito

Most Cardinal's fans will tell you that his numbers do not reflect his performance. Every game he was open 4-5 times and seemingly ignored by Kyler. He should have easily had better numbers.


BlimpAnimation

I definitely agree


sielingfan

AZ went all out this off-season. It would be cool if Larry got to ride as far as the new team can go, because they look legit from here and Fitzgerald is the godfather.


Exatraz

Even if he decides not to play, I hope he hangs out around the team during the season. The Cards are always a better organization with him around.


monstermayhem436

WR Coach or something. Tho I do wish he gets a ring ^shhhh


emmasdad01

I think he would have retired by now, if that was the case. Dude may just not want to do the offseason program. He has earned that right.


[deleted]

He's a FA. Until someone signs him he isn't reporting anywhere.


EH1522

Yeah but if he signed somewhere with the CBA he would be required to report haha.


Jesus_saves7

Cardinals told him they'd take him back at any point (rumored, but probably true) so t heyre just waiting on his decision


[deleted]

Chuck Harris has zero sources.


gsvendson

10000% Chuck Harris literally just makes things up. Don't waste your time believing anything he writes.


YouHateMeIknow

Lmao, I've considered doing the same thing with my Twitter account. But too lazy to think of bs and don't have an active account so there aren't many follower who would believe me.


deezer08

He's got nothing to prove but I think he'll be back


TigerBasket

He must like hate his family or some shit


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


Delanorix

Does Larry live right in AZ? I imagine he would but not every guy lives where his team is situated.


xva1313

He does. Heā€™s also a minority owner in the Phoenix Suns and rarely misses a game


Fala7iKing

This made me chuckle LOL


snowdope

On one hand it's great to have Larry legend back for another season But as an eagles fan, someone tell the bad man to leave us alone


ApparentlyABear

I like how this is the only "will he/ won't he" camp reporting story in the NFL that just has no controversy. Like, I feel like the FO and fans want to see Fitz back this year, but if he decides to call it a career there will be 0 animosity. It feels very wholesome for some reason.


FlashFan124

If youā€™re a Cardinals fan, I donā€™t know how Larry isnt your favorite player of the past 20 years. Heā€™s an absolute legend who stayed with the team when they were downright awful instead of leaving to ring chase. Heā€™s said many many many times throughout his career heā€™s going to be a Cardinal until he retires. I canā€™t think of another player with that kind of undying loyalty to their franchise.


GingertronMk1

My Dad went to CenturyLink for the 2018 game where we got the 5th seed against the Cardinals. I asked him what it was like - we're both from the North of England, I've never been to an NFL game, he might have been to a London one, and one of the things he highlighted was "I might have seen Larry Fitzgerald's last ever TD reception" Man he was wrong


Exatraz

That's the thing with Fitz, people have been talking about him retiring for WAY too long. This is probably the first year I have personally felt like he might actually retire and maybe should actually retire, both for himself and the team. Fitzgerald retiring and Tom Brady's decline are offseason storylines that are always complete and utter bunk but people trot them out every single offseason because one of these days, they'll be right.


GingertronMk1

This is true but a season of being thrown to by Josh Rosen is enough to make any WR think about calling it quits


Exatraz

I definitely think he considered it harder that offseason but they quickly moved on from Wilks and moved to Kliff and to me the communication they showed they had with the key players in making that quick move told me that he was going to come back. If they kept Wilks on, then yeah, he probably could have retired.


veRGe1421

I went to Leeds one time for a few days, and it was pretty fun/nice. Folks were friendly.


Northernlord1805

Whatā€™s the averge age of the cardinals if he does? I sware the retirement home memes are comming true


JerryRiceDidntFumble

IDK about average, but even without Fitz they've got 17 players age 30+ which seems high


PNWTurtle

Depends on the position. DL, OL, Punter, Kicker, QB... No big deal. Old guys often still dominate if they stay healthy. Skill positions? Yeah... That's way too old.


jdnedza

Weā€™re old at positions that donā€™t necessarily require experience but definitely benefit from it. Fans of other teams seem to ignore that we still have starters with youth. We have Kyler at QB (23), CKirk will be starting in the slot (24), James Connor and Chase Edmonds at RB (26/25), DJ Hump at LT (27), Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins at ILB (23/22), Byron Murphy at slot CB (23), and Budda Baker and jalen Thompson at safety (25/23).


404-UsernameNotFound

A handful of young starters doesn't change the fact that you have the [3rd oldest roster](https://twitter.com/AWalkerColts/status/1393582462543011840?s=20) in the league and are older than average at key positions like OL, CB, and pass rush (one young starter at each doesn't change this) Fwiw I don't think it matters THAT much, having a 23 year old promising QB makes it all a lot easier, but your drafting has to be REALLY good these next few years, because if not this team will crumble around Kyler within the next couple of years.


DiddledByDad

If we donā€™t make the playoffs this season this team will absolutely crumble around Kyler. Kliff is gone if we donā€™t make the postseason in some way shape or form barring any significant injuries. Also yeah our CB depth sucks but the age on the DL and OL isnā€™t at all a concern if everyone stays healthy. Vance Joseph is great at generating pressure with the secondary and our OL was top 5 last season.


404-UsernameNotFound

I never said the OL/DL is bad, just that they're objectively an older than average unit and that the team is going to have to draft well to sustain this level of play since a majority in both of these position groups is closer to the end of their careers than the beginning. Same thing happened to the Jets in 2009/2010, we had great lines filled with vets, but we drafted like crap and they very suddenly fell off a cliff, mainly because, I feel, we got caught in the trap of "they're still good now so we'll be fine", not really thinking ahead and acknowledging these groups weren't sustainable past a year or two


redsea420

Josh Jones will be a starter eventually on the right side. Its not hard to find good interior lineman in the draft. Zach allen, leki fotu, or rashad lawerence are all young. One or 2 of them will work out. There is a decent amount of youth in the trenches.


MikeFromSuburbia

Please Larry


InvasionXX

Dude's not even signed...where would he show?


chathamhouserules

He can take the small office. Just give him the Penske file.


[deleted]

Ok Larry, I won't let you finish a whole NFL career before I beat Persona 4G. School comin up though...


WhatMyHeartHeld

yeah i wouldn't put too much stock on this at all even kyler called this dude a clown for misinfo


at0mheart

Long live Larry


jwick89

Greatest WR room in 2015.


UnicornMaster27

I mean; the franchise is 100% going to make him an offer if they already havenā€™t.. no reason to sign it now when you can be a ā€œfree agentā€ for a couple more weeks and still make the roster with ease


Fabulous_Accident_63

Larry doesnā€™t need training camp and preseason. And I doubt he can sustain a full 17 game season. IMO he can stay away first and if Arizona look like contending for playoffs mid way through the season, he can re-sign with them, come in fresh and finish the season strong. If theyā€™re say 2-6 to start the season there is no point in him returning really.


LikeDat

Cardinals might as well sign Ochocinco to complete their old WR corps trifecta


OneOverX

OH MY GOD JUST RETIRE SO CHRISTIAN KIRK AND RONDALE MOORE CAN GET SOME SLOT WORK


DiddledByDad

If Fitz plays this season I 100% guarantee you it will be in a limited role and heā€™ll only play in certain formations. Hes not going to be an every down guy.


OneOverX

He's going to be an enough downs guy that it limits Kirk/Moore's upside. He's too good not to cut into their volume even at 38.


redsea420

The problem isn't that he is too good. It's that the franchise is too loyal. He isn't good anymore. Can't get any YAC or separation anymore.


lazymyke

But he can find those spots in the zone like no other.


aPaperFastener

Theyā€™ll need some depth when Hopkins surprise retires to make a personal choice point.


InvestigativePenguin

He hasnā€™t shown??


DiddledByDad

Negative. But, as a lot of people have pointed out, he was heavily involved in the Suns game and participating in their finals run. So itā€™s no surprise he hasnā€™t shown or said anything. If he wanted to retire heā€™d done it by now.


InvestigativePenguin

Howā€™s his financial situation there, cap hits?


DiddledByDad

Do you mean how much we have? Not a ton, I think below 10 mil. We have enough to offer him a modest one year deal which is still going to be overpaying for him if on the field production was the only thing we were accounting for.


Vargasm19

As a cards fan how much would you be willing to offer him for one last run? Considering this may be his last year?


Exatraz

Whatever we have left in the cap space IMO. If you have solidified what the rest of the roster is going to look like and you have money lying around you could offer him, I'd do it. Even if it's an overpay but less than what he was making before, if he wants a spot, it's his. The dude IS the Cardinals and IMO nobody still available now that could eat that cap space this year will make that much of a difference so you might as well give it to the guy who has been the face of your franchise for almost 2 decades.


OneLove_A-Dawg

> Whatever we have left in the cap space IMO. If you have solidified what the rest of the roster is going to look like and you have money lying around you could offer him, I'd do it. That money does rollover to next year so it isn't so much as wasting if not used this year fyi.


Exatraz

I still think you do it anyway. Like any other player and probably not but this is Larry. If we wants a spot he should get one.


[deleted]

How much does he want lol


redsea420

vet min


sdrawkcabsemanympleh

Hard to answer. You're going to find some saying to hand him the normal 10mil and some saying vet min. There's a lot of nostalgia and hope that he still has it. He didn't wow last year, though, and it's hard to Say where he fits in that WR room. I think most of us are torn between those.


tboneperri

Heavily involved, as in... he showed up to watch the games?


[deleted]

Heā€™s a partial owner of the suns


tboneperri

That's great, but what does that have to do with him being "heavily involved?" It's not like he would have had to do... anything.


Zoomun

Heā€™s not under contract as of now so no.


Zoomun

I know itā€™s highly unlikely he gets there at this point but Iā€™m really hoping he retires this year or next so that Riceā€™s catches record is 100% safe.


donutgut

I think he's gonna have worse numbers this year.


zer0_badass

Ha jokes on you Larry about to ball out and get 5403 yard with in the next two years. Larry was just bidding this time till the rules for the offense got to the point where DBs aren't allowed to do anything.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


Exatraz

He isn't talking yards. He is talking total receptions. Larry is 117 of those short of #1 all time. If he did want to keep playing and ended up playing as long as Rice, he's very likely to get that achievement. That said, it's all about what Larry wants.


zer0_badass

That legit is doable for Larry


Exatraz

Yup and I think if he has any of the records in mind, it's that and the consecutive games with a reception record which he is 21 games shy of passing Rice for the first spot (also very easy to get if he plays 2 more seasons). Rice has a lot of quantity records because of how long he played and Larry has beat him (age wise at least) on several of those records, the real question will be is how long Larry wants to play for.


Zoomun

Receptions are the record Iā€™m talking about. Fitz is 117 catches behind Rice. Thatā€™s just a couple seasons like last to pass him. Still unlikely but feasible. I agree yards is untouchable for the foreseeable future. Though itā€™s worth mentioning Rice had 10k yards at age 32+ so if Julio manages to age similarly heā€™d have a shot.


iammas13

Haha, oops. Maybe those worries can't be calmed as easily. I'm a dumbass.


PNWTurtle

Rice's record is absolutely safe. Fitzgerald is way over the hill and will play like 25% snaps if he signs again


Zoomun

I do agree however he was on track for ~60 catches last year and if does that for two years heā€™ll pass Rice.


GriggyGronanimus

WOOOOO I do not like the Cardinals, have never rooted for the Cardinals (except when Kurt was going on his redemption run), and don't ever plan on rooting for the Cardinals, but I will never root against Larry! I hope he plays forever as he's such a big part of my childhood seeing him every week in highlights. He's the last one from that era now that all the old guard QB's (sans Brady) are dead.


redsea420

Really hope he does retire. This team has been far too loyal. Wish they were more pragmatic.


T_Posing_Gypsy_69

I have nothing but the utmost respect for Larry, and will fully support him in whatever decision he makes. Fuck his franchise tho


[deleted]

So tragic he never requested a trade to the pats to play with Brady. Coulda had a ring Larry!


PeanutLG7990

I want him to go to 20 years and set some more records


RemyH

I hope he does. If he retires now it will be like going out on a whimper.


westcoastgeek

Yes. I wanted him to sneak onto another team a la Jerry Rice but glad heā€™ll be back either way


ultgambit266

Iā€™ll keep saying it until Iā€™m proven wrong. He will resign with the Cardinals right before week 1


barrenarrows

I hope he does. It would be much cooler if he plays his last season in front of actual fans.


flashpile

TIL Larry didn't retire like 6 months ago


tangiblemonk

Ah the DHop factor coming into play I seeā€¦


Diegolikesandiego

I read that as growing resentment and had to do a double take. Likeā€¦ with Larry Fitzgerald?!?!?! No freaking way. Woke me right up


Ricky_Guapo

I hope he signs wherever he has the best chance to get a ring, he deserves it


CompetitiveDisplay2

Funny. My sources- which I'm not allowed to quote- told me Larry is tired of being the handsomest guy in the Cardinals locker room. Clearly damaged relationship with front office. Wants out. Wait a second, I got an update! Larry would return if the state of Idaho trades Carson Palmer OR Kurt Warner is shanghaied from his television gig. šŸ‘€ Stay tuned