Larry Fitzgerald

[pallister]

Moss caught an NFL record 23 TDs in 2007. What are you talking about?

Moss wasn't that bad this year, either, considering he had to adjust to as first-time starter. I expected him to quit like he did in his Raiders days. He had double-figure TDs and I think cracked the 1,000-yard mark.

 

[editorhoo]

My thing with Fitzgerald is that I don't think it matters how good of a team or how good of a QB surrounds him. If you throw the ball in his general direction, he will go up and get it, even if there's double coverage. I think Calvin Johnson is of this same mold.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Shot, I knew that might be a response. But I disagree. Today it was evident the Panthers gameplanned for both of them. They only got one and were slow to adjust. Fitzgerald picked them apart early.

But in the Cards' offense, there are plenty of throws to go around. Even Steve Breaston caught nearly 80 balls this year.

Two things...

If the Panthers gameplanned for both of them and couldn't adjust the whole coaching staff should be absolutely ashamed. Anyone who paid any attention this week knew there was no chance Boldin could be a factor this week, even if he tried to play.

And a huge percentage of Breaston's catches came while Boldin was out hurt.

 

[Write-brained]

Moss will still surpass 1,000 yards even without a great quarterback. Hell, Brady is the only truly great quarterback Moss has ever had. Love Randall Cunningham, but he benefited from Moss, not the other way. Same with Culpepper. Same with Cassel. To write Moss off, even in this stage of career, doesn't make sense to me.

He had two bad years - 04 and 06. Yes, bad attitude played a part, but that dysfunctional Raiders offense and injuries also had roles.

 

[pallister]

You're probably right, hoo, but the one who proved this year he could do it without a good QB or another WR to take the pressure off was Johnson.

 

[Goldeaston]

Shot, I knew that might be a response. But I disagree. Today it was evident the Panthers gameplanned for both of them. They only got one and were slow to adjust. Fitzgerald picked them apart early.

But in the Cards' offense, there are plenty of throws to go around. Even Steve Breaston caught nearly 80 balls this year.

If the Panthers had a game plan for Larry Fitzgerald? He had six catches for 150 yards and a touchdown 25 minutes into the game. THAT'S a game plan?

Game plan was for facing both Boldin and Fitz. Zone is better in that case, because it should keep passes shorter. Obviously, that wasn't the case. Bad plan + bad execution = what happened today.

 

[Write-brained]

Shot, I knew that might be a response. But I disagree. Today it was evident the Panthers gameplanned for both of them. They only got one and were slow to adjust. Fitzgerald picked them apart early.

But in the Cards' offense, there are plenty of throws to go around. Even Steve Breaston caught nearly 80 balls this year.

If the Panthers had a game plan for Larry Fitzgerald? He had six catches for 150 yards and a touchdown 25 minutes into the game. THAT'S a game plan?

Game plan was for facing both Boldin and Fitz. Zone is better in that case, because it should keep passes shorter. Obviously, that wasn't the case. Bad plan + bad execution = what happened today.

So it worked to Arizona's advantage that one of their top receivers was out? That makes ... what?

 

[JakeandElwood]

Andre Johnson deserves to be in this discussion.

 

[Goldeaston]

Stats don't tell the whole story, of course, but ...


CJohnson 1331 yards, 12 TDs, 17.1 ypc
Fitzgerald 1431 yards, 12 TDs, 14.9 ypc
Smith (14g) 1421 yards, 6 TDs, 18.2 ypc

Johnson and Smith do it without a viable receiver to keep teams from doubling them. I'd take any of the three, to be honest, but to annoint Fitzgerald the best, or at all better than the other two, is a bit premature.

And Simon, Moss isn't even in the conversation anymore. Without a top-notch QB, he's pretty much sucked for several years.

Moss caught 98 passes for 1,493 yards and nine touchdowns in 2007, so that last clause isn't exactly accurate. He is no longer up there with Fitzgerald, Smith and Johnson, but his '07 didn't suck.

In 2007, Moss played with Brady. Pretty sure he's a top-notch QB.

 

[Write-brained]

Stats don't tell the whole story, of course, but ...


CJohnson 1331 yards, 12 TDs, 17.1 ypc
Fitzgerald 1431 yards, 12 TDs, 14.9 ypc
Smith (14g) 1421 yards, 6 TDs, 18.2 ypc

Johnson and Smith do it without a viable receiver to keep teams from doubling them. I'd take any of the three, to be honest, but to annoint Fitzgerald the best, or at all better than the other two, is a bit premature.

And Simon, Moss isn't even in the conversation anymore. Without a top-notch QB, he's pretty much sucked for several years.

Moss caught 98 passes for 1,493 yards and nine touchdowns in 2007, so that last clause isn't exactly accurate. He is no longer up there with Fitzgerald, Smith and Johnson, but his '07 didn't suck.

In 2007, Moss played with Brady. Pretty sure he's a top-notch QB.

The only one he's ever had.

 

[Goldeaston]

And a huge percentage of Breaston's catches came while Boldin was out hurt.

Breaston had nine games of 5 receptions or more. Was Boldin out half the season and I missed it?

 

[pallister]

Good point, Jake. In fact, Andre Johnson had a better year than Fitzgerald, IMO.

 

[Goldeaston]

Stats don't tell the whole story, of course, but ...


CJohnson 1331 yards, 12 TDs, 17.1 ypc
Fitzgerald 1431 yards, 12 TDs, 14.9 ypc
Smith (14g) 1421 yards, 6 TDs, 18.2 ypc

Johnson and Smith do it without a viable receiver to keep teams from doubling them. I'd take any of the three, to be honest, but to annoint Fitzgerald the best, or at all better than the other two, is a bit premature.

And Simon, Moss isn't even in the conversation anymore. Without a top-notch QB, he's pretty much sucked for several years.

Moss caught 98 passes for 1,493 yards and nine touchdowns in 2007, so that last clause isn't exactly accurate. He is no longer up there with Fitzgerald, Smith and Johnson, but his '07 didn't suck.

In 2007, Moss played with Brady. Pretty sure he's a top-notch QB.

The only one he's ever had.

Moss had three pretty putrid years before joining Brady. I stand by it.

 

[JakeandElwood]

Good point, Jake. In fact, Andre Johnson had a better year than Fitzgerald, IMO.

Imagine if the Bears had attempted to cover him in the last game of the season. And I think A. Johnson was the best receiver in football. If someone wants to say Fitz is better overall, I could see it, but I would take Johnson.

 

[fishwrapper]

Me thinks we're talking about the wrong Johnson.

EDIT: Jake beat me to it.

 

[DirtyDeeds]

I'm torn here. After the last two weeks, I'd say he is. No question Fitzgerald's an absolute stud, but no love for Andre Johnson? And Calvin's moving up quickly. My top 5:
1. Fitzgerald
2. Andre Johnson
3. Smith
4. Calvin Johnson
5. Moss

EDIT: Damn, you guys!

 

[Goldeaston]

I also forgot A. Johnson. Major stud. Seven double-digit reception games; eight 100-yard games (six over 140). Crazy.

 

[JakeandElwood]

Stats don't tell the whole story, of course, but ...


CJohnson 1331 yards, 12 TDs, 17.1 ypc
Fitzgerald 1431 yards, 12 TDs, 14.9 ypc
Smith (14g) 1421 yards, 6 TDs, 18.2 ypc

Johnson and Smith do it without a viable receiver to keep teams from doubling them. I'd take any of the three, to be honest, but to annoint Fitzgerald the best, or at all better than the other two, is a bit premature.

And Simon, Moss isn't even in the conversation anymore. Without a top-notch QB, he's pretty much sucked for several years.

Moss caught 98 passes for 1,493 yards and nine touchdowns in 2007, so that last clause isn't exactly accurate. He is no longer up there with Fitzgerald, Smith and Johnson, but his '07 didn't suck.

In 2007, Moss played with Brady. Pretty sure he's a top-notch QB.

The only one he's ever had.

Moss had three pretty putrid years before joining Brady. I stand by it.

Isn't everyone putrid when they play for the Raiders though?

 

[Oz]

Stats don't tell the whole story, of course, but ...

CJohnson 1331 yards, 12 TDs, 17.1 ypc
Fitzgerald 1431 yards, 12 TDs, 14.9 ypc
Smith (14g) 1421 yards, 6 TDs, 18.2 ypc

Andre Johnson (115 catches, 1,575 yards, 8 TDs) merits a spot in this discussion, too. To me, it's Fitzgerald and Johnson at the top. The All-Pro voters got it right.

 

[Goldeaston]

Stats don't tell the whole story, of course, but ...

CJohnson 1331 yards, 12 TDs, 17.1 ypc
Fitzgerald 1431 yards, 12 TDs, 14.9 ypc
Smith (14g) 1421 yards, 6 TDs, 18.2 ypc

Andre Johnson (15 catches, 1,575 yards, 8 TDs) merits a spot in this discussion, too. To me, it's Fitzgerald and Johnson at the top. The All-Pro voters got it right.

Yeah, that 100-yard per catch average was eye-popping!