Fitz Deal: 4 years, $40 million (Done!!!)

[Wild Card]

Overlooked in the relief over Fitzgerald's signing is that the damage is already done in terms of 2008 free agency, and that the Cardinals may now have some real challenges ahead in managing their roster. From today's column by Mike Sando on ESPN.com:

"...inactivity isn't always the best policy. Count the Arizona Cardinals among the teams that probably have missed out.

Despite signing pass-rusher Travis LaBoy from the Tennessee Titans, the Cardinals could use another veteran starter or two to help second-year coach Ken Whisenhunt further establish a hard-nosed identity. But with Larry Fitzgerald's contract eating up nearly $16.5 million in salary-cap space, Arizona hasn't even re-signed any of its own UFAs. Fourteen hit the market. Two signed elsewhere.

The Cardinals own rights to 48 players, counting three restricted free agents and franchise player Karlos Dansby. The other 31 teams claim 64 players on average. The Denver Broncos claim a league-high 78. Arizona is the only team with fewer than 54 (Kansas City).

Including LaBoy, the Cardinals own rights to only 16 defensive players, another league low and well off the average for other teams (27.7). LaBoy, who has battled concussions, is one of 25 UFAs who have changed teams after starting fewer games last season than in 2006, a potential sign of diminishing production."​

Good luck digging yourself outta this hole, Rod.

WC

 

[football karma]

The details of the deal have to come out, but insta-opinion is that Rod Graves got bent over a barrel on this one.

Cards wanted 6 years, Parker wanted 4. Fitz ends up with 4.

Cards wanted $25-30 million guaranteed on a 6 year deal. Fitz ends up with (reportedly) $33 million guaranteed. On that 4 year deal.

Wow. We'll see how this works out in the long term. Congrats to Graves for getting it done, but it sure seems like this wasn't much of a negotiation. What must Parker have been asking for to end up at these numbers?

While i agree Rod got bent ( hay--oooooooo! :channelling Ed mcMahon: ) --

"guarantees" from the agent side are always suspect

If the difference between the $15 mm reportedly paid up front and the $33 mm guaranteed is a series of roster bonuses -- Fitz still has to perform at a certain level to get those

 

[dogpoo32]

Overlooked in the relief over Fitzgerald's signing is that the damage is already done in terms of 2008 free agency, and that the Cardinals may now have some real challenges ahead in managing their roster. From today's column by Mike Sando on ESPN.com:

"...inactivity isn't always the best policy. Count the Arizona Cardinals among the teams that probably have missed out.

Despite signing pass-rusher Travis LaBoy from the Tennessee Titans, the Cardinals could use another veteran starter or two to help second-year coach Ken Whisenhunt further establish a hard-nosed identity. But with Larry Fitzgerald's contract eating up nearly $16.5 million in salary-cap space, Arizona hasn't even re-signed any of its own UFAs. Fourteen hit the market. Two signed elsewhere.

The Cardinals own rights to 48 players, counting three restricted free agents and franchise player Karlos Dansby. The other 31 teams claim 64 players on average. The Denver Broncos claim a league-high 78. Arizona is the only team with fewer than 54 (Kansas City).

Including LaBoy, the Cardinals own rights to only 16 defensive players, another league low and well off the average for other teams (27.7). LaBoy, who has battled concussions, is one of 25 UFAs who have changed teams after starting fewer games last season than in 2006, a potential sign of diminishing production."​

Good luck digging yourself outta this hole, Rod.

WC

No kidding. That's some scary stuff.

 

[football karma]

Including LaBoy, the Cardinals own rights to only 16 defensive players, another league low and well off the average for other teams (27.7). LaBoy, who has battled concussions, is one of 25 UFAs who have changed teams after starting fewer games last season than in 2006, a potential sign of diminishing production."

After finishing in the bottom five in scoring defense two years in a row -- maybe some different players wouldnt hurt.

 

[Russ Smith]

Excellent.

 

[Mulli]

After finishing in the bottom five in scoring defense two years in a row -- maybe some different players wouldnt hurt.

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

[Stout]

For now I'll just say I'm glad it's over. This deal needed to get done and it got done. I'm thinking of writing up an article, though, so I don't want to give away some of my material

 

[DaisyCutter]

While i agree Rod got bent ( hay--oooooooo! :channelling Ed mcMahon: ) --

"guarantees" from the agent side are always suspect

If the difference between the $15 mm reportedly paid up front and the $33 mm guaranteed is a series of roster bonuses -- Fitz still has to perform at a certain level to get those

I don't think so. I think he merely has to be on the roster. That's why they're called "roster bonuses".

The $5 million option bonus next year (I don't know what the option is or is triggered by) gets pro-rated just like a signing bonus does. That 2009 option bonus may be the key. If it's 90+ receptions and 1200+ yards, or whatever, it'll be difficult for him to hit those and trigger the option.

 

[ajcardfan]

After finishing in the bottom five in scoring defense two years in a row -- maybe some different players wouldnt hurt.

Pace was the only player of note that we lost. I mean the rest are guys like Ralph Brown and Joe Tafoya. Some will come back, but there are still oppotunities to upgrade.

 

[HookemCards]

Fitz stated hes getting 33 million in the first 3 years. Sounds like 11 mill per to me.

Well its not 11 million, because depending on the signing bonus it is prorated for 4 years not 3. If he got a 30 million SB for 4 years, thats 7.5 mil per year towards the cap.

 

[football karma]

I don't think so. I think he merely has to be on the roster. That's why they're called "roster bonuses".

The $5 million option bonus next year (I don't know what the option is or is triggered by) gets pro-rated just like a signing bonus does. That 2009 option bonus may be the key. If it's 90+ receptions and 1200+ yards, or whatever, it'll be difficult for him to hit those and trigger the option.

What I mean is this-- lets say its the offseason after the 2010 season -- and there is a $6 mm or so roster bonus to be paid on Feb 15.

and lets say that -- Fitz showed up for the 2010 season 80 lbs overweight and caught one pass all year. Fitz is getting cut prior to Feb 15.

They may call that roster bonus "guaranteed" -- but it is only to the extent that he is still on the roster.

 

[DaisyCutter]

What I mean is this-- lets say its the offseason after the 2010 season -- and there is a $6 mm or so roster bonus to be paid on Feb 15.

and lets say that -- Fitz showed up for the 2010 season 80 lbs overweight and caught one pass all year. Fitz is getting cut prior to Feb 15.

They may call that roster bonus "guaranteed" -- but it is only to the extent that he is still on the roster.

No, I get that part of it. Just knowing who Fitz is, that doesn't seem very likely, does it? I mean, it's possible, but not probable. He's only 24. He'll be 28(?) when this contract runs out?

I'll wait until the final details of the deal are out, but, as I said, the instant-analysis was that this deal could have been done a month ago, since it seems like the Cards gave up everything they wanted.

 

[DaisyCutter]

Kent Somers' blog gives some numbers on Fitz's new deal:

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/KentSomers

 

[CardLogic]

Fitzgeralds contract marks the first time since the 1991 draft that the Cardinals re-signed a 1st round draft choice.

 

[DKCards]

Fitzgeralds contract marks the first time since the 1991 draft that the Cardinals re-signed a 1st round draft choice.

wow


all I can say is wow

 

[football karma]

Fitzgeralds contract marks the first time since the 1991 draft that the Cardinals re-signed a 1st round draft choice.

as scathing an indictment of both as you could imagine

 

[Mulli]

Fitzgeralds contract marks the first time since the 1991 draft that the Cardinals re-signed a 1st round draft choice.

I hate you Cardlogic.

 

[Red Hawk]

Yes!!!!



me likey!

 

[DaisyCutter]

Fitzgeralds contract marks the first time since the 1991 draft that the Cardinals re-signed a 1st round draft choice.

 

[ryanshaug]

Fitzgerald is the first 1st round pick since 1991 I can remember being worth resigning, except MAYBE Pace.

 

[Skkorpion]

From Kent Somer's blog, apologies for not posting the link. I'm in a hurry. These numbers are good for us and not killers.

The story on Larry Fitzgerald's new contract is developing, but I have some preliminary information.

*The deal is a restructuring, not an extension. It tears up his old deal and the new four-year contract expires after the 2011 season.

*The total value is $40 million, according to reports, including a $15 million bonus this year. His salary this year is $2 million.

*From what I can put together, this deal makes Fitz's cap figure for this year about $7.75 million ($2 million for his orginal signing bonus, $3.75 million for the new signing bonus and $2 million in salary). That's a decrease of $8.65 million.

*I haven't been able to track down the salaries in later years but they have to average about $6 million. Half of the $40 million is in bonuses ($15 million this year, a $5 million option bonus next year). So if he makes $2 million this year, that's $18 million in salaries over the final three years.

 

[ajcardfan]

Fitzgerald is the first 1st round pick since 1991 I can remember being worth resigning, except MAYBE Pace.

It's not true though. We re-signed Simeon Rice.

 

[Skkorpion]

As one of those who did not want to overpay, I can live with this.

We win by getting Fitz's best years when we need them most. He wins by setting himself up for another huge contract with somebody, while still in his prime. Nobody got screwed.

Damned fine day to be a Cards fan. And as ajcardfan so aptly put it, none of us really cares how the owner spends his money, as long as he puts a good team on the field.

I will say, without the new stadium, without Michael Bidwill's drive to start winning, this would never have come to fruition.

 

[ajcardfan]

From Kent Somer's blog, apologies for not posting the link. I'm in a hurry. These numbers are good for us and not killers.

It looks like every year of the deal will be less than the numbers he had for the next two seasons originally.

 

[ajcardfan]

I will say, without the new stadium, without Michael Bidwill's drive to start winning, this would never have come to fruition.

Absolutely true Skkorp. Five years ago, this sort of thing just wasn't possible in Cardinals land.