Is it possible he actually thought Fitz was so far past his prime that the younger WRs deserved more of the spot light? For whatever reason, it is about time. Welcome home, Larry? Glad to see coach realize you are better than simply being a blocking Wr.
PS. Imagine how good Larry would have been if he had had a HofF QB throwing to him all these years. It is almost unimaginable: Brady to Fitzgerald.....TD!
No, I don't believe that.
Fitz had to learn an entirely new skill set, but that's not the whole story. He surely had doubts also, about the scheme and the way he was being used. During his post game press conference a reporter asked how difficult it was to adjust. He said without hesitation, "You're a veteran sports reporter, imagine if they moved you to home and gardens. It would take a few years for you to adjust and your unique skills to be recognized."
It's much more though. For Fitz to thrive in this role, they had to develop other receiving threats to get him open. That's why they were chucking it up to Brown and Floyd and others last year, to stretch the defense and clear out the middle.
Here's where it gets awesome though. Fitz spent his first and second year in this role primarily down blocking. Especially LBers. Let that sink in, it fits the scheme perfectly.
Fitz is now a double or even triple threat, once the field is stretched and the middle is open. It's not just that he kills zones, not just that he destroys LBs in coverage it's that now, when he's in that slot, opponents have no clue if he's blocking, going out for a catch, or opening up avenues for other receivers.
Hes blown past LBs and safeties this year because they thought he was going to block. His technique is always the same, blocking or receiving. Yes, he's lost a step, but he's the best technician with the best hands in the NFL. Opposing LBs have no clue if he wants to engage them, he's running toward them the exact same way, because of awesome technique.
I said earlier he's a double or triple threat, that's because he can still block well and open up plays for our RB. The defense doesn't know what he's going to do. Maybe the play before he went out on a route, the next play he's blocking, the next play maybe he's just creating space for others by clearing them out.
I would honestly say that Fitz may be the most important cog in this offense... Still. And they can't stop it, they can't take him out of a game. They could if he was playing out wide, but not now. Now he's effective and efficient in every situation.
BA and Tom Moore are offensive geniuses. I believe that.
The main thing is, Fitz could potentially thrive in this role for years. You don't have to be young or fast to play the slot. And Fitz is the best slot player in the NFL. Don't care about others, they don't do what he does, as far as the whole package, route running, blocking, hands, technique and clear outs.
When they resigned Fitz he became a monster. It'll last all year. Brown and Floyd and others may have bigger games, maybe, but it's because of Fitz work underneath. He makes this machine run.
lol
