Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald sent a text message to Paul Goldschmidt on Wednesday, hoping the Diamondbacks All-Star would dispel rumors of a reported trade.
When Goldschmidt confirmed he was indeed heading to St. Louis, Fitzgerald was bummed. The duo forged a strong bond the last several years as the faces of the local MLB and NFL franchises.
Fitzgerald is happy Goldschmidt is poised to sign a lucrative contract soon, but wishes it was in Phoenix.
"He's a wonderful person," Fitzgerald said. "He's a great ambassador to this community and (was) a wonderful ambassador to the Diamondbacks for a very long time. I'm going to miss him, personally. I'd get a chance to watch him and go see him in spring training and talk to him all the time – and beat up on him on the golf course. He's terrible out there. It's going to be big shoes to fill there, trying to fill his role."
Goldschmidt's departure is the latest reminder of Fitzgerald's exceptional 15-year tenure in Arizona. As other superstars come and go, Fitzgerald has been the constant in the Valley. He arrived as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2004 draft and has carved out a Hall of Fame career with the Cardinals.
"Normally that's the all-time greats, when you look at guys that play 15, 16, 14, 17 years for one organization," offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich said.
With his first catch on Sunday against the Lions, Fitzgerald will break Jerry Rice's record of most receptions with one team in NFL history. Fitzgerald said there was never a grand decision to spend his entire career with the Cardinals.
"I never really looked at it like that," Fitzgerald said. "This is where I started. I kind of appreciate being the foundation of something. When I got in the league, there was not a lot of respect for the Cardinals."
Fitzgerald helped turn things around alongside a stellar draft class that included defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, linebacker Karlos Dansby and defensive end Antonio Smith.
"We were like, 'Man, we want to change the narrative here,' and that has always been the mindset I've had," Fitzgerald said. "Why not do it where you started?"
Fitzgerald has not yet said if 2018 will be his last in the NFL, but even as a pending free agent, it seems a foregone conclusion that any additional years will be with the only team he has ever known.
Fitzgerald said he has never felt the urge to chase a ring by going to a projected contender, pointing out that those best-laid plans often go awry.
"It's not like basketball," Fitzgerald said. "You know come hell or high water, at the end of the season Golden State is going to be playing against the Houston Rockets. You can bet it. You know Boston is probably going to come out of the East against Toronto. You can do that. In the National Football League, you have no clue who is going to win."
If he never does get that elusive championship – the Cardinals made the Super Bowl after the 2008 season but lost a heartbreaker to the Steelers – Fitzgerald won't feel like anything is missing from his career.
"This is not tennis," Fitzgerald said. "This is not golf. This is not an individual sport. This is a team sport. It takes everybody collectively to be able to win. I'm not a quarterback. I don't touch the ball every single snap, so it's not like I play a position where I can influence it on that level. Obviously I'm a big part of what a team can do, but I think my position is viewed a little bit differently when you're assessing it purely off of championships."
CUNNINGHAM ADDED TO INJURY REPORT
Korey Cunningham, who is the starting left tackle with D.J. Humphries now on injured reserve, was added to the injury report on Thursday with a hip injury. He was limited in practice.
Defensive end Markus Golden (knee) was also limited, while safety Budda Baker (knee) and linebacker Deone Bucannon (chest) did not practice for a second straight day.
For the Lions, running back Kerryon Johnson (knee) did not practice, while those limited were linebacker Trevor Bates (ankle), linebacker Devon Kennard (hip), defensive end Ziggy Ansah (neck), fullback Nick Bellore (ankle), wide receiver Kenny Golladay (quadriceps), cornerback Darius Slay (ankle) and quarterback Matthew Stafford (back).
Past images between the Cardinals and Sunday's opponent in the regular season opener, the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions halfback Dan Lewis (45) looks like he is about to be toppled by Chicago Cardinals back Jim Wagstaff (on ground), but Lewis was too fleet for him. He ran a good ten yards more in this fourth quarter play before another player nailed him. At rear is Cardinals linebacker Ted Bates (51). The Lions scored early and kept a healthy lead throughout the game to win 54-21, on Dec. 7, 1959 in Detroit.
A Jim Hart pass to Johnny Holand (23) was good for 35 yards in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 1, 1967 in a game between the Cardinals and Detroit. The Cardinals' Jackie Smith throws a block at Bruce Maher of the Lions. St. Louis won 38-28.
The Cardinals Johnny Roland gained only one yard on this second quarter play against the Lions, Sunday, Oct. 1, 1967, St. Louis, Mo. Detroiters are Wayne Walker (55), Mike Lucci, ground, and Darris McCord, rear. Cards won 38-28.
Don Parish (57) with the Cardinals grabs Detroit?s Altie Taylor (42) to stop the Lions with a 5 yd on Dec. 6, 1970 in Detroit. gain in the third quarter of play.
St. Louis Cardinals tight end Jackie Smith (81) faces Detroit Lions linebacker Wayne Walker (55) circa 1970.
Detroit's Lem Barney, 20, watches the ball disappear from his grip as he was running back a punt in the first quarter on Dec. 6, 1970 in Detroit. The Cardinals' Jim McFarland is putting the tackle on Barney. St. Louis' Jerry Daanen recovered the Lions fumble on the Lion 37, putting them in range for a field goal.
Detroit Lions' running back Billy Sims waves to fans after victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, 20- 6, in Pontiac, Michigan, Sept. 22, 1980. Sims picked up 95 yards and one touchdown.
Detroit Lions' running back Billy Sims takes off during St. Louis Cardinals game at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, Sept. 22, 1980.
Detroit Lions quarterback Andre Ware (11) runs from the pocket trying to avoid the tackle of Phoenix Cardinals outside linebacker Freddie Joe Nunn (50) during the first quarter in Pontiac, Mich., Sept. 26, 1993. Ware lead the Lions to a 26-20 victory by completing 11 of 24 passes for 194 yards.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Herman Moore (84) catches a 32-yard pass as Phoenix Cardinals cornerback Aeneas Williams (35) defends during the fourth quarter in Pontiac, Mich., Sept. 26, 1993. The Lions went on to defeat the Cardinals 26-20.
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Pittman (32) is wrapped up by Detroit Lions' Stephen Boyd (57) Allen Aldridge (55), Rob Fredrickson (53) and Robert Porcher (91) for a loss of yardage in the second quarter Sunday, Nov. 1, 1998, in Pontiac, Mich.
In a Sept. 7, 2003 photo, Arizona Cardinals' Anquan Boldin is stopped by Detroit Lions' Eddie Drummond, right, and defensive back Jimmy Wyrick at Ford Field in Detroit.
In a Sept. 7, 2003 photo, Arizona Cardinals' Anquan Boldin pulls away from Detroit Lions defensive back Jimmy Wyrick at Ford Field in Detroit.
Detroit Lions quarterback Joey Harrington (3) is dragged down from behind by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Peppi Zellner (94) after an 8- yard gain in first quarter Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, in Detroit.
Detroit Lions cornerback Dre Bly (32) holds up the ball after intercepting the pass intended for Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) in the third quarter at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004. Bly had two interceptions for the Lions in their 26-12 win.
Arizona Cardinals place kicker Neil Rackers celebrates his 51-yard field goal against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005. The Lions beat the Cardinals 29-21.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald catches a 8-yard touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005. Fitzgerald had 141 yards on nine receptions in the Cardinals' 29-21 loss.
Arizona Cardinals' Edgerrin James (32) picks up a short gain as Detroit Lions' Teddy Lehman (54) pulls him down during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' Fred Wakefield (87) and Detroit Lions Ernie Sims (80) are separated by line judge Ron Marinucci during the second quarter of their football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart (7) throws during the first quarter of their football game while under pressure from Detroit Lions' Corey Smith (93), Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) lunges toward the end zone for a touchdown as Detroit Lions linebacker Teddy Lehman, right, defends during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007 in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Tim Rattay, top, calls signals while under center near the Detroit Lions' goal line in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 31-21.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna, left, escapes the pass rush of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby, right, in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals safety Antrel Rolle (21) during the first quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Bryant McFadden (25) brings down Detroit Lions wide receiver Bryant Johnson (80) in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Steve Breaston (15) reaches for the end zone as he's pushed out of bounds by Detroit Lions cornerback DeAngelo Smith (39) during the first quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009.
Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells (26) stiff-arms Detroit Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch (55) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) makes an interception to set up a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Rashad Johnson (49) and Daryl Washington during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) runs in a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall (28) scores the go-ahead touchdown down as Detroit Lions linebacker Rocky McIntosh (52) defends during the second half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson is tackled by Arizona Cardinals defensive end John Abraham (55) during the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) hands off against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Tommy Kelly during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) stops Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by Detroit Lions free safety Glover Quin (27) during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015.
Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) rushes against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) drops back to pass against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kerwynn Williams (33) reacts with Evan Boehm (70) after scoring a 3-yard touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
Arizona Cardinals offensive guard Mike Iupati (76) blocks against Detroit Lions defensive end Jeremiah Ledbetter (98) during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) is hit by Detroit Lions defensive back DeShawn Shead (26) during a punt return during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs as Detroit Lions middle linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) pursues during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (36) during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson (14) during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
