"Larry Fitzgerald has the best hands in football, a no-trade clause in his contract and all the leverage one man can possess.

But this time, he doesn't have a choice.

If the star receiver spurns a fair and forthcoming contract offer from the Cardinals, he will void his perfectly manicured image. Smitten fans will wonder what happened to the guy who has professed great love for Arizona, the organization and head coach Ken Whisenhunt.

They will wonder about the guy who said it was all about winning and no longer about money.

"It's never crossed my mind to do anything different," Fitzgerald said. "If we would've had a regular off-season, my deal would likely be done by now."

Still, there seems to be some anxiety surrounding Fitzgerald and his intentions. Maybe he likes it that way. And maybe we should all start by thanking Fitzgerald for his role in the grand makeover of the 2011 Cardinals.

Fear is a great motivator, and the potential loss of Fitzgerald surely spurred the exhilarating changes in training camp. The Cardinals delivered the most coveted quarterback on the market, a hometown hero, depth at tight end, an upgraded offensive line and a revamped team that has captivated the Valley. On paper, that should be enough to satisfy Fitzgerald's competitive desires.

"I love what's going on," Fitzgerald said. "This is the most active I've ever seen my team in free agency."

As for the new quarterback? Kevin Kolb's laidback personality already has earned rave reviews in camp. But in his private audition for Fitzgerald, Kolb said he "burned" his first pass through the hands of the unsuspecting wide receiver."