Best Receiver in football right now?

[Ryanwb]

How could you argue against Larry Fitzgerald? However, I would give some votes to Andre Johnson.

 

[Renz]

Cowher and Marino had that argument the other day. Marino said Fitz and Cowher said Andre Johnson.

Marino noted that Fitz has been in the league one less season and has 13 more TD's than Johnson. End of argument.

 

[Ryanwb]

Cowher and Marino had that argument the other day. Marino said Fitz and Cowher said Andre Johnson. Marino noted that Fitz has been in the league one less season and has 13 more TD's than Johnson. End of argument.

That is interesting, I would also make the argument that Johnson is basically a one man show. Whereas Fitz is sharing the ball with another (and now a third, Breaston) consistant 85+ catch, 1000+ yard receiver in Boldin

 

[Spielman]

Andre Johnson is fantastic.

Given the choice between him and Fitzgerald, I would hesitate approximately one nanosecond before taking Fitzgerald.

 

[az jam]

I still take Randy Moss.

 

[Shogun]

Andre Johnson is only better at YAC and speed. Fitz trumps him in the other facets of the game.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Andre Johnson had skillet hands in the begining of his career. I saw it first hand.

He is no where near the reciever Fitzgerald is. If you compare stats and what not, I can see how someon could be confused, but if you watch the tape it is not even close.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

It has to be Boldin or Fitz!

 

[lobo]

How could you argue against Larry Fitzgerald? However, I would give some votes to Andre Johnson.

Fitz wins in a photo with Johnson a close second

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Fitz

 

[82CardsGrad]

I have to go with Fitz, but really wonder what Andre Johnson would do in our offense... could be scary!

 

[CardLogic]

I still take Randy Moss.

Ah, yeah...

the Randy Moss when Fitz was still a high school kid. This years Moss, not so much...

 

[PoolBoy]

Fitz, and frankly i dont even think its close.

 

[RonF]

That is interesting, I would also make the argument that Johnson is basically a one man show. Whereas Fitz is sharing the ball with another (and now a third, Breaston) consistant 85+ catch, 1000+ yard receiver in Boldin

Great point, the facts speak for themselves.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I had this debate on another board. Andre is hurt too much to be the best receiver in football. End of discussion.

 

[FArting]

Fitz

 

[CaptTurbo]

Fitz no doubt.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Fitz Period.

And I think Steve Smith is better then Andre Johnson.

 

[john h]

How could you argue against Larry Fitzgerald? However, I would give some votes to Andre Johnson.

I have seen most of the great receivers like Jerry Rice, Lynn Swann and others over the past 60 years. I do not know that I have ever seen a better receiver than Larry Fitgerald. He is fast, tall, big, long arms, jumps really high, and can routinely catch the ball with one of his big hands. A big time catch is almost routine for him and he has the moves of a small man after he catches the ball. Jerry Rice was always one of my favorites but I do not think he can stand up to a Fitzgerald. What we will have to see is that if Fitz can stand the test of time these other great receivers did. Can he stay healthy and go the distance?

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Fitz (or as I like to call him "Fits" because of what he gives defensive backs) has to be the greatest argument for BPA ever.

So we draft Fitzgerald after having spent our 2 first draft picks 2 seasons prior on Boldin and BJ. And now we have a potential GOAT?

Any other coach and thats 99.9% not going to be the pick (or maybe if we had not beaten Minny the year before either).....

If only BPA was the thought process back in 06

 

[PoolBoy]

The combo of having Levi for the passing game and Fitz and Boldin, is better than Adrian Peterson behind a terrible o-line, followed up with 2nd and 12 for a zero time to work passing attack. And wait a second, with arguably the best o-line in football, is Peterson still in the playoffs?

 

[joeshmo]

Here is why Fitz is the undoubted best in the league, and why he will continue to be the best for another 10 years. He isn’t satisfied with just being good. He is willing to take coaching on any aspect of his game, if a coach tells him to work on something he runs with it. Case in point –

1. 2007 – Coaches asked him to run better routes. What does he do he takes extra time at the training facility working on his route running. What does he do he goes out and runs better routes for the more timing oriented passing attack and has his best season yet.
2. 2008 – Coaches ask him to get better at run blocking and yards after catch. Although it didn’t show up in the stats it sure did look like he wasn’t afraid to mix it up as a blocker, more so then years past. And the biggest improvement he rose his total YAC yards total by 200 yards compared to the prior season and rose his YAC average by almost 2 yards a catch. He went from 2.95 to 4.82. To put this years YAC per catch into perspective Boldins career average is only slightly higher at 5.48. Boldin was ranked #2 in YAC total this year and Fitz was only right behind at #5 out of all WR’s.

I am excited to know what coaches will ask him to work on next, and how he takes to it, just like any other time he was asked to learn something.

 

[conraddobler]

Fitz isn't a WR, he's a football catching machine, the term WR is an insult.

 

[PJ1]

Fitz. Pass doesn't need to be that good and he will take care of it. Double teams no problem.

Best hands I have ever seen....

 

[CardLogic]

Here is why Fitz is the undoubted best in the league, and why he will continue to be the best for another 10 years. He isn’t satisfied with just being good. He is willing to take coaching on any aspect of his game, if a coach tells him to work on something he runs with it. Case in point –

1. 2007 – Coaches asked him to run better routes. What does he do he takes extra time at the training facility working on his route running. What does he do he goes out and runs better routes for the more timing oriented passing attack and has his best season yet.
2. 2008 – Coaches ask him to get better at run blocking and yards after catch. Although it didn’t show up in the stats it sure did look like he wasn’t afraid to mix it up as a blocker, more so then years past. And the biggest improvement he rose his total YAC yards total by 200 yards compared to the prior season and rose his YAC average by almost 2 yards a catch. He went from 2.95 to 4.82. To put this years YAC per catch into perspective Boldins career average is only slightly higher at 5.48. Boldin was ranked #2 in YAC total this year and Fitz was only right behind at #5 out of all WR’s.

I am excited to know what coaches will ask him to work on next, and how he takes to it, just like any other time he was asked to learn something.

Good post, joe.

I have read quotes from Fitz in which he states, that it is his goal to be the best WR ever in the NFL. (paraphrased)

Now, a lot of football players might make that same comment, but there is a difference. Larry Fitzgerald truly does have a humble demeanor, he is not prone to boastfulness nor self-promotion. Combined with his athletic abilities, and his work ethic and general strength of character I believe that Fitzgerald's ambition will be realized.