Cardinals: Fitzgerald not going anywhere

[az1965]

What a freakin' idiot Graves is. Honestly. What, his quotes are supposed to prove how sharp a GM he is? They disclose just the opposite, IMO.

No wonder he and Eugene Parker have a good working relationship. Graves is making him look like a genius. And filling his pockets to no end. Good grief. What exactly does Graves (as the organization's agent) hope to accomplish by spitting out those comments? Seriously, especially when he is in the midst of perhaps thee most important contract negotiations of his illustrious (i say that with towering mountains of sarcasm).

Regardless if Fitz restructures or not, Graves comments continually disclose his ineptitude to the opposition.

So Parker tells Fitz, "let's play for 16 or 17 or whatever million dollars this next year. They're gonna pay it. Why should we settle for less? You're 24, healthy, and the cap and players's salarys will only go up. Just like they could have had you for less last year, they are going to have to pay you more after next season. Why? Because a "three year" pro bowl player on a 10 or 11 win playoff team deserves more that a "two-year" pro bowl player on an 8-8 team."

Unreal. Un-freakin' real.

I don't see anything wrong with it. Everyone knows Fitz is not going anywhere. If anyone thought we will cut Larry to save some cap, they are idiots. Fitz is a good guy ad a stud of a WR. Now we have publically shown that the organization is doing business in good faith. I think this is a good strategy especially with Fitz and to show other "core" guys and players around the league we respect and appreciate hard work and performance.

 

[joeshmo]

From a practical matter, Larry's 2008 salary is guaranteed. All he has to do is pass a physical. Only a significant off the field injury (or some heinous personal conduct issue) stands in the way of Larry getting that salary. Lets say Larry blows both ACLs on the first drill of offseason workouts. He goes on IR and gets his contractual salary.

His real risk is the $17mm in 2009. Could be injured in 2008. Could be cut. Heck - the Cards could go all the way through 2009 free agency and then cut him (after all the money has been spent). There is motivation on their part to convert that scheduled salary into guaranteed money.

It is not gauranteed until he is on the 53 man roster for Game #1.

 

[football karma]

It is not gauranteed until he is on the 53 man roster for Game #1.

but Joe-- if a player under contract gets hurt during a team activity during the offseason --- he cant be cut until he can pass a physical.

The reality of it is that if healthy, they arent cutting Larry Fitzgerald.

If hurt during a football activity, the team will be on the hook for the salary.

If hurt not playing football (like a car accident or a bar fight) -- the team can cut him and not owe him any money.

Larry's risk relative to the salary for 2008 is pretty low.

 

[joeshmo]

but Joe-- if a player under contract gets hurt during a team activity during the offseason --- he cant be cut until he can pass a physical.

The reality of it is that if healthy, they arent cutting Larry Fitzgerald.

If hurt during a football activity, the team will be on the hook for the salary.

If hurt not playing football (like a car accident or a bar fight) -- the team can cut him and not owe him any money.

Larry's risk relative to the salary for 2008 is pretty low.

That is where the injury settlement comes in (which is anywhere from 25 cents to 50 cents on the dollar) which is partly paid by a teams insurance policy.

 

[WildBB]

For this ownership, I think he's the right guy. However, if he botches this offseason, I think Mike Bidwill will not hesitate to make a change.

Not re-signing Fitz may not be a botch. It takes two to make a deal and only one to kill it. If Fitz is asking or too much or just forcing an eventual parting, so be it. We'll move on.

 

[WildBB]

I'm not sure whats worse. The fact that he said this publicly, or the fact that trading Fitz is completely out of the question with a 17 mil price tag. Either way it doesn't exactly inspire confidence in RG.

Don't get me wrong I love Fitz, think he is a great receiver, probably top 5 in the NFL, but 17 mil for a guy who only touches the ball 8 times a game, and scores a touchdown every two games seems a bit much. No way would I pay him that much this year, if he doesn't restructure I would trade him for a 1st and 2nd rd pick and a starter. Then use the 17 mil saved to resign Pace, Faneca, Florence, and a couple of depth guys.

Yeah, that.