The Pewter Plank
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Buccaneers: Five best wide receivers on the 2017 schedule

By Alan Schechter

Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith looks on prior to the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith looks on prior to the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) in action against the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) in action against the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Larry Fitzgerald

The ageless wonder, Larry Fitzgerald. He has been getting it done in Arizona for so long that it’s hard to remember him not being there. Not only has he gotten it done, he has been among the best in the league.

Fitzgerald has gone over the 1,000 yard mark eight separate times, including a five-year stretch from 2007-2011. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl ten times, and every year since 2007, except for 2014. He’s also gone over 100 receptions on four separate occasions, including in each of the last two seasons. To say Fitzgerald has been consistent would be an understatement.

Since Bruce Arians moved him to the inside, he has had a resurgence. From 2012-2014, Fitzgerald went three straight years of not racking up 1,000 yards receiving. He was on the wrong side of 30 and people began to think he was falling off, finally. Boy were they wrong. Over the last two years, Fitzgerald has posted 15 touchdowns and over 2,200 yards receiving on 216 receptions. He is showing no signs of losing is dominance.

Just like against every other team, Fitzgerald has had success against the Buccaneers in the past. In five previous games, he has caught 24 passes for 348 yards and four touchdowns. The secondary is still a work in progress, so when these two teams battle in the desert, the Bucs had better have a plan to stop this guy.

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