Larry Fitzgerald hopes to get back into 'flow' for Arizona Cardinals in 2014

It's impossible to write about Cardinals' offensive playmakers, past and present, without including receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

No player in team history has made more plays. Fitzgerald is the franchise leader in receptions (846), receiving yards (11,367), touchdowns (87), 100-yard receiving games (36) and consecutive games with a reception (149).

Even though Fitzgerald is only 31, this is his 11th season, and he already has a strong resume for Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors to one day examine.

He's made eight Pro Bowls in 10 years and is one of just five players in NFL history to record at least 1,400 yards receiving four times.

In the 2008 season, Fitzgerald had one of the great postseason performances in NFL history. He spent so much time in "the zone" that he should have submitted a change-of-address form.

"Ever watch the movie 'Limitless,' where he was always a step ahead of everybody?" Fitzgerald asked. "That's kind of how you feel.

"There's nothing they can do to slow you down. I call it 'in flow.' You are 'in flow.' In 2008 I was able to do it for a month and half. That's the longest I've ever been able to do it. I've had a ton of games where — I don't want to say invincible — but you feel like there's nothing anybody can do to stop you."

In 10 years, Fitzgerald has missed four games. Luck has played a big role in his durability, but so has his work ethic and fastidious devotion to nutrition and fitness. Nothing about that has changed for the past several years.

"I just stick with the same routine," Fitzgerald said recently between a walk-through and a practice. "Acupuncture, massage and rest. That's the biggest thing. I keep my legs elevated when I sleep and I get 10 hours of sleep a day, at least. I'll go nap right now for 1 ½ hours. I sleep nine hours every night and then I lay down every once in a while and just let my body recover."

In training camp, there is a lot from which to recover. Fitzgerald and other receivers were among the players who wore GPS devices that tracked their movements. In a single practice, Fitzgerald might sprint 6,000 yards, or about 3.4 miles.

"We're getting good work in," Fitzgerald said. "You have to do everything you can to make sure you have high energy levels."

Playmakers series

This is the first in a five-part miniseries on key parts of the Cards' 2014 machine.

Today: Larry Fitzgerald

Tuesday: Justin Bethel

Wednesday: Calais Campbell

Thursday: Andre Ellington

Friday: Tyrann Mathieu