Even without Favre, Fitzgerald categorizes the Vikings as a playoff team. They earned his respect last season when they dominated the Cardinals in Arizona, winning 35-14.
The Vikings were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs but Fitzgerald had a post-season run that included nine touchdown receptions. Two of those were in the Super Bowl and two more were in the Pro Bowl where he was named MVP.
The former Academy of the Holy Angels star who grew up in south Minneapolis has played five seasons in the NFL after a college career at Pittsburgh. “I think every year I’ve improved on different facets of my game which has helped me become a better overall player, but I still have a long way to go,…” Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald said he can improve his route running, running after he catches the ball and downfield blocking. His goal is to be one of the NFL’s best wide receivers and many observers will argue he’s achieved that status already. He wants to be compared with former Vikings wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss.
Did last season improve his confidence? “I’ve never been one lacking in confidence no matter what the situation was,” he said. “I always believed in myself. My parents taught me that at a young age. Never doubt yourself. Always go out there and give it your best. …”
Was he concerned about how he would play before the Super Bowl, pro football’s biggest game? “No, not at all,” he said. “I slept like a baby the night before the game. …”
Fitzgerald insists, though, that he needs to improve, rating himself a six on a scale of 10. He’s looking forward to next season. “I want to make the playoffs again,” he said. “I want to be all-pro again. I just want to continue to establish myself as a dominant player.”
Fitzgerald is close to his father Larry, a Minnesota sports journalist, and dearly misses his mom Carol who died several years ago. He was raised to care about people and give back which serves as inspiration for his football camp in June. He will guide the youngsters in aspects of football and life.
Fitzgerald’s football camp will be at Providence Academy in Plymouth June 15-17 and is for youngsters entering grades six through nine for the upcoming school year. Proceeds from the camp will support the Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. First Down Fund, a donor-advised fund at the Minneapolis Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) organization. More at www.fitzfootballcamp.com.