Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald aided by Hines Ward

When Bruce Arians arrived in Arizona in 2013, he informed Larry Fitzgerald that the receiver would be moving.

Arians didn’t suggest Fitzgerald leave Arizona – the Cardinals coach isn’t that crazy – but he did tell Fitzgerald his work territory would be changing.

No longer would Fitzgerald make his living on the outer portion of the field, using his strength, savvy and exceptional hands to beat mismatched cornerbacks.

Fitzgerald would be moving inside, catching the 5-yard slants, pin-balling off defenders, blocking linebackers and safeties. All the stuff that Fitzgerald once regarded as Anquan Boldin’s job.

Arians told Fitzgerald it would prolong his career, but it wasn’t an easy sales job.

Arians had help, though. Fitzgerald and former Steelers receiver Hines Ward have been friends since Fitzgerald was in college at the University of Pittsburgh. Ward played basically the same position for Arians with the Steelers and reassured Fitzgerald that the move inside would benefit him.

“He was hesitant,” Ward said this week. “But you get to the point when you reach your 30s. He’s had all the accolades. He’s been to Pro Bowls. He’s made great money, but the one thing he and I are always talking about is him saying, ‘Man, I don’t care about that stuff anymore. I want a Super Bowl ring.’ ”

Cardinals rewind: What we learned in win over Bears

Ward, whose last season was 2011, could relate. For the first five years or so of his NFL career, "It was all about me,” Ward said. “When you make your first Pro Bowl, you’re happy. When you make your second Pro Bowl, you’re cool. Your third, your fourth or whatever, it’s like, ‘OK, the big picture is the ring.’ You can have all the money, all the stats in the world, but they mean nothing without that ring.”

Ward reassured Fitzgerald that Arians saw him as more than a glorified tight end. Sure, his new position meant added responsibilities as a run blocker. And, no, Fitzgerald wouldn't be running as many routes outside the numbers. But, Ward told Fitzgerald, Arians knows what he’s doing.

When Ward looks at Arizona, it reminds him of Arians' offenses with the Steelers.

When the Steelers added speedy outside receivers such as Santonio Holmes, Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown, Ward realized part of his duties was to nurture those young players.

Fitzgerald has done the same with Michael Floyd, John Brown and others.

“John Brown reminds me a lot of Antonio Brown,” Ward said. “Floyd is kind of the big-body speed guy who reminds me a lot of Plaxico Burress.

“The thing about Bruce Arians, he wants his speed guys on the outside, but he wants his playmaker right there in the slot. And he does a lot of creative things to find ways to get the slot guy open. I look and see the same things he did with me, he’s doing with Larry Fitzgerald.”

In Arians’ first year, 2013, Fitzgerald’s performance was encouraging considering everyone was adjusting to a new offense: 82 receptions for 954 yards and 10 touchdowns.

But Fitzgerald’s statistics plunged in 2014: 63 catches for 784 yards and two touchdowns, a career low.

Fitzgerald was hindered by knee sprains and injuries at quarterback. Plus, at 32, he was at an age where many players start to show their age.

A strong argument could be made, however, that Fitzgerald will prosper as long as Palmer remains healthy. In two games this year, he has 14 receptions for 199 yards and three touchdowns, all coming last week against the Bears.

In Palmer’s past seven starts, Fitzgerald has averaged eight receptions and 94 yards a game.

But Fitzgerald’s value in the slot isn’t measured just by receptions.

Blocking might be the most underrated part of Fitzgerald’s game. Not only does it have a direct impact on a game, Fitzgerald’s willingness to block has an impact on the effort of others, according to Ward.

“You don’t get paid extra money to go in there and block,” Ward said, “but, to me, it was about winning. I think Larry’s at that stage, it’s all about winning.

“Here’s how I look at it: If guys can see me, a veteran guy, going out there and blocking my ass off, then why can’t they do it? Offensive linemen when they see me blocking my ass off, it makes them want to do the same. When they see Larry getting his nose dirty in the run game, it inspires them. A little thing like that, it takes a team a long way.”

Before Fitzgerald agreed to a new, two-year, $22 million deal last off-season, there was speculation that he would finish his career elsewhere, partly because of the way Arians was using him.

The money, all guaranteed, helped convince Fitzgerald to stay in Arizona. But he also finally seems comfortable in his new role.

“It's a different world inside," he said after the first game of the season. “The game is a lot faster. The guys are a lot bigger. When you're getting tackled outside the numbers, it's usually a guy you're much bigger than.

“It's taken me a little bit to get used to it, but at this age, the way I'm playing now, I feel like I'm much more of a complete player. I can still go outside and win. I can go inside and win. I'm a much better blocker. What Coach has me doing has made my game more versatile."

Stat pack

7 for 7 – The Cardinals scored touchdowns on all seven red zone possessions this season.

18-4 – Bruce Arians’ record outside the NFC West.

5-7 – Arians’ record vs. NFC West teams.

79 – Points scored by the Cardinals this season. It’s the most in the first two games in franchise history.

7 – Number of Cardinals who have scored a touchdown this season.

8 – Carson Palmer’s win streak as the Cardinals starting quarterback.

Quote

“There is not a next couple. There is only one. It’s a big game because it’s a division game and a home game. We have to win our division games at home.”

-- Coach Bruce Arians when asked about having the “next couple” games at home.

NFC snapshot

Cardinals (2-0) – Sitting atop the standings already but it doesn’t look like beating the Saints and Bears this year will be a great accomplishment.

Rams (1-1) – Starting a difficult three-game stretch that includes the Steelers, Cardinals and Packers.

49ers (1-1) – Steelers shredded the defense last week. Did they expose some fatal flaws?

Seahawks (0-2) – They weren’t great out of the gate last year (3-3) and playing the Bears should make the 12s rest easier.

What they're saying:

"I'm not the biggest or the fastest.. But I'm the best.. In my mind & that's all that counts.."

-- Tyrann Mathieu @Mathieu_Era

"Bday knocking on the door like what's good let me in #SEPT23#LIBRA"

-- Running back Chris Johnson, who turns 30 today. @ChrisJohnson28

"Welcome back, Larry Fitzgerald. He had more TDs (3) Sunday than he had all of last season."

-- Clark Judge, Talk of Fame network.

Latest NFL power rankings: