Arizona Cardinals Have Two All-Pro Players

by Jess Root on Jan 7, 2012 7:02 AM MST in General Arizona Cardinals News

On Friday, the AP All-Pro teams were announced and the Arizona Cardinals have a pair of representatives. However, it night not be who you expect. Patrick Peterson was named to the first team All-Pro team as a kick returner. Receiver Larry Fitzgerald was named an All-Pro, but was not on the first team.

Fitzgerald was named to the second team. The two first teamers are Detroit Lion Calvin Johnson and New England Patriot Wes Welker. While we here in Arizona are definitely partial to Fitz and believe in our hearts that he is the best receiver in football, it is understandable that both Johnson and Welker get the nod over him.

Fitz had 80 receptions for 1411 yards, which is pretty solid. Welker led the league in catches with 122 (!). Johnson had 96 receptions for an eye-popping 1681 yards and 16 touchdowns.

On paper, they had better years. Granted, with Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford throwing the ball, it is understandable.

Peterson made the first team as a kick returner, ahead of Devin Hester, who made the second team. He is the only rookie on the first team.

Certainly he deserves it. He returned four punts for touchdowns, all of which were at least 80 yards. the four TD returns tied a league record and in almost every case they were the difference between winning and losing a game for the Cardinals.

While it is great honor to see him recognized for his special teams play, just as he also made the Pro Bowl as a returner, it will be even sweeter if he can improve his craft at cornerback to the same level. That would make him a truly special player and he could then viable be put in the same sentence and conversation as Deion Sanders.

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Poll

Should Larry Fitzgerald have made the All-Pro first team ahead of Calvin Johnson or Wes Welker?

Yes

99 votes

No

30 votes

129 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 14 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Both Calvin Johnson and Wes Welker

Had elite QB’s throwing to them, and Fitz had another year of QB uncertainty. Despite that, he still had a 1,400+ yard season, still managed to make the Pro Bowl, and still managed to have a good year.

He should’ve been an All-Pro for sure.

Joe Saunders: "They played a really good game, so hats off to us"

by Skii on Jan 7, 2012 8:36 AM MST reply actions

over johnson

no. but over welker, absolutely… fitz is far and away a better receiver than welker. an argument can obviously be made that johnson is a better receiver, but not welker…irregardless of qb, fitz is better.

by Flanpaw42 on Jan 7, 2012 9:08 AM MST reply actions

Bad Poll,

Fitz over Megatron? Maybe if we are talking career, but over Welker yes

Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.

by INSOMAN1ATIC on Jan 7, 2012 9:20 AM MST reply actions

The homer in me voted Fitz over both

The realist in me says the AP got it right.

We all bleed Cardinal Red, but most of us don't recognize it!

"It takes no talent to give great effort"--Chris Petersen

Patrick Peterson is the 2nd coming of Deion Sanders. They even wear the same number.

by robloosli on Jan 7, 2012 9:33 AM MST reply actions

I agree wholeheartedly

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by Jess Root on Jan 7, 2012 11:40 AM MST up reply actions