Fitzgerald: Johnson the best WR
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald did not take issue with his own coach, Bruce Arians, saying that Detroit Lions wideout Calvin Johnson is the best in the NFL.
"Calvin's the best," Fitzgerald said, according to ESPN.com. "I mean, look at his numbers. It is what it is."
Johnson led the league with 1,964 receiving yards last year. Fitzgerald only had 798, his lowest total since he was a rookie.
Arians said this Sunday's game against the visiting Detroit Lions will feature a matchup between the best cornerback (Arizona's Patrick Peterson) and best receiver, Johnson.
"You have to watch what you wish for sometimes," Arians said. "I think an elite player like Patrick, in my opinion, who is probably the best corner in the league, is going against the best receiver in the league."
Fitzgerald's 772 catches is more than any other receiver through 141 games. He is the youngest ever to make 700 receptions and second-youngest to reach 10,000 receiving yards.
Fitzgerald is in his 10th year while Johnson is in his seventh season.
Comparing the two through their first six years, Johnson had 7,836 receiving yards and Fitzgerald 7,067.
Peterson believes Fitzgerald is still the best receiver even though Johnson is coming off a better year.
"(Johnson's) done a lot of great things for his team, and he had a huge success last year hooking up with (quarterback) Matthew Stafford and gaining all those yards," Peterson said. "I would never put another guy in front of my guy.
"I believe Larry's still the best receiver in the game."
Fitzgerald has been limited in practice this week because of a hamstring injury but said he is OK.
