It's only fitting David Johnson was named AP all-pro this season, and while I understand why Ezekiel Elliott earned the running back nod on the team, I personally felt like Johnson earned it. It's good they changed the rules to allow for a "flex" player (instead of a fullback) because it would have been wrong for Johnson not to be a first-team this year. But I can't really argue with the other decisions. I've heard from a couple of people about Patrick Peterson, but the players that earned the first- and second-team slots -- Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters, Janoris Jenkins, Casey Hayward, Malcom Butler -- all had really good years. It was good to see Calais Campbell with a second-team nod. He was good all season but really came on in the second half of the year. It's too bad the whole team couldn't have that consistency in their playoff push.
It was interesting to me as I looked back over the years to see what Cardinals made first-team AP all-pro that Larry Fitzgerald earned that honor only once -- fittingly, in 2008, when he not only was great in the regular season but had the best playoff run any receiver has ever (and while I know there are arguments to be made for a couple of other guys, having witnessed what Fitz did in those four games, you'll never convince me otherwise that anyone ever did it better.)
-- A quick thought on the ongoing Fitz-Carson Palmer retirement speculation. Nothing has changed for me. I have long believed and still believe Palmer will play in 2017. I think if, for whatever reason, Palmer did leave, that would seal Fitzgerald's decision. But like I said, I believe Palmer is going to play. I still think Fitz hasn't made up his mind. Won't surprise me whatever decision he makes (so I guess I'm saying I think he's 50-50.) I know he took the ball for his last catch/touchdown, but he has kept significant footballs before -- and don't forget, this one did net him an NFL receptions-title -- and besides, it can't hurt to take it just in case. If he comes back, fine. I don't think the football gives any hints, other than he is considering retirement, which we knew already.
-- Don't forget to take a listen to our Cardinals Underground wrapup season podcast.
-- In case you missed it (and maybe you might've, since this is the first year I didn't put it in the blog), here was my annual roster breakdown, along with who is a free agent-to-be.
