Make no mistake: Larry Fitzgerald carries a big stick in matters related to the Arizona Cardinals. The All-Pro wide receiver is the face of the franchise, and with that designation comes a very loud voice in the room on company matters.
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Of course, with great power comes great responsibility. For example, Fitzgerald likely has a personal preference as to which quarterback -- Kevin Kolb or John Skelton -- he'd want to start for the team in 2012. But what does he gain from publicly sharing that opinion? Not nearly enough to warrant opening his mouth.
So when asked this weekend about his thoughts on how the QB competition will play out in training camp, Fitzgerald politely deferred.
"That's really a question that coach (Ken) Whisenhunt can probably answer. (Quarterbacks coach) John McNulty can answer better," Fitzgerald told KTAR-AM (via SportsRadioInterviews.com). I really just try to stay out of it as much as I possibly can. Just try to make my plays and do what I am coached to do and be responsible for that.
"The cream rises to the top. I know by Week 1 when we go out there we'll have our guy. We'll be supportive of that person."
The true measure of a wide receiver is what kind of production he puts up when the quarterback play is less than stellar. Kolb and Skelton underwhelmed in the position last year, yet Fitzgerald still finished with 80 receptions for 1,411 yards and eight scores. And if you ask Larry's dad, he did this despite having a decent No. 2 option playing across from him.
Calvin Johnson is nice, but we'll take Fitzgerald any day of the week.
