Fitz's cap hit

[Cbus cardsfan]

His 18 mill cap hit, and how to deal with it, is the elephant in the room this off season. Do the Cards simply absorb the hit and limit themsleves in FA market or do they approach him about a re-structure?

I know the Cards say they are able to deal with the cap hit and are comfortable with it. However, I think their actions will indicate otherwise. With the roster they have and how close they are to becoming legit title contenders, they almost have to approach Fitz and get the cap relief to take the next step. Just thrwoing names out here, but let's say the Cards get the cap relief and the go out and re-sign Dansby while adding a Brandon Albert, TJ Ward, and even a Chris Johnson once Tennesee releases him, as has been rumored. You could very realistically add those players along with 6-8 new talented draftees and this team is as good as any in the league.

The next question is would Fitz be up for a re-structure? He always tries to present himself as a team guy but is he? I have no problem with guys getting the max out their contracts but Fitz has already held the Cards hostage in free agency in the past so it's not a stretch that he'd do it again. In fact, he's held the Cards over a barrel twice now, and again I don't blame him, but why would this time be different.

The last question is, how would the Cards handle it if Fitz balked at re-structuring? Do they go to the press and portray him as a selfish teammate that won't do things to help the roster like other superstars have? Do they just sit staus quo and absorb the hit? Or, do they look to move him?

I think in the next couple months, how the Cards and Fitz handle things is going to be very telling not only for next season, but the not so distant future as well. This team is right on the brink. Fitz's situation could easily make or break the Cards roster.

 

[Cardsfanstl]

Good points but they will never release or trade him due to the cap hit they would take. I believe they and Fitz will restructure it again because Fitz knows this team is up and coming.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Good points but they will never release or trade him due to the cap hit they would take. I believe they and Fitz will restructure it again because Fitz knows this team is up and coming.

Agreed.

Funny that only a few years ago the national media wanted to see Fitzgerald go to the Patriots to "win a ring". Hmm.... how would have that worked out for him ?

I am not sure how the Cardinals are going to address this situation. I would see if Fitzgerald would give money up for years on the contract.........eh, that is pretty stupid, LOL.

Yeah, elephant in the room, that is for sure.

 

[kerouac9]

This is the third time that the Cards have been hamstrung due to Fitz's deal.

I'm sure that Fitz would take a "good restructure", which means they cut him a $10M check in March and pro-rate that number over the remainder of the deal.

I don't know why/how Fitz would be amenable to a "bad restructure", in which Fitz takes a salary cut two years into a new contract, and after the first year of a contract extension.

I'd also like to quibble with the idea that the Cards are "so close to being legit title contenders." The Cards were 2-4 in their division last year. They may have won 10 games, but they also went 4-0 against the worst division in football (AFC South). I think they're close to being a wild card team (clearly), but it's not clear to me that the window is open on a title run.

 

[thephoenixson28]

I heard he won't take a pay cut but rather split it out in bonuses. Or something like that.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

True, they were 2-4 in the division but they blew a double digit 4th quarter lead in week 1 on the road and they were a Jay Feely away from beating SF at home. I know they lost but that could have turned into 4-2 rather easily and that's why I said they were CLOSE to being a contender.

Also, winning on the road in Seattle toward the end of the season, the first team to do it in over 2 years, tells me much more about the team than their overall 2-4 division record. Especially when they started out 0-3 in the division. And, again, if Feely comes through, they would likely be riding a 3 game division win streak into next season.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

This is the third time that the Cards have been hamstrung due to Fitz's deal.

I'm sure that Fitz would take a "good restructure", which means they cut him a $10M check in March and pro-rate that number over the remainder of the deal.

I don't know why/how Fitz would be amenable to a "bad restructure", in which Fitz takes a salary cut two years into a new contract, and after the first year of a contract extension.

I'd also like to quibble with the idea that the Cards are "so close to being legit title contenders." The Cards were 2-4 in their division last year. They may have won 10 games, but they also went 4-0 against the worst division in football (AFC South). I think they're close to being a wild card team (clearly), but it's not clear to me that the window is open on a title run.

I am going to go all Levi Brown on you and say that the Cardinals are contenders because the contenders are not as clearly dominant as in years past. The most dominant team is arguably Seattle, and the Cardinals beat them at home.

If they can beat Seattle, they can beat anyone.

That all being said, they gotta start winning versus the Niners. Beat the Niners, and they will be in the running next season.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I heard he won't take a pay cut but rather split it out in bonuses. Or something like that.

That would be fine. I'm not advocating a pay cut but giving the Cards some cap relief, no matter how it's done, could go a long way.

 

[GuernseyCard]

This is the third time that the Cards have been hamstrung due to Fitz's deal.

I'm sure that Fitz would take a "good restructure", which means they cut him a $10M check in March and pro-rate that number over the remainder of the deal.

I don't know why/how Fitz would be amenable to a "bad restructure", in which Fitz takes a salary cut two years into a new contract, and after the first year of a contract extension.

I'd also like to quibble with the idea that the Cards are "so close to being legit title contenders." The Cards were 2-4 in their division last year. They may have won 10 games, but they also went 4-0 against the worst division in football (AFC South). I think they're close to being a wild card team (clearly), but it's not clear to me that the window is open on a title run.

Agree that this is likely where things go for 2014, and possibly address the larger issue going forward prior to paying his $8m bonus in 2015. The last three years of the present deal ($45m+) is all salary, a team option so to speak. It's an incentive to reach an agreement if Fitz wants to see any of it.

 

[Reddog]

True, they were 2-4 in the division but they blew a double digit 4th quarter lead in week 1 on the road and they were a Jay Feely away from beating SF at home. I know they lost but that could have turned into 4-2 rather easily and that's why I said they were CLOSE to being a contender.

Also, winning on the road in Seattle toward the end of the season, the first team to do it in over 2 years, tells me much more about the team than their overall 2-4 division record. Especially when they started out 0-3 in the division. And, again, if Feely comes through, they would likely be riding a 3 game division win streak into next season.

I agree with all of this plus the prospect of an expanded playoffs could mean three teams from the division get in and we all know anything can happen in the post season.

 

[Chopper0080]

I am going to go all Levi Brown on you and say that the Cardinals are contenders because the contenders are not as clearly dominant as in years past. The most dominant team is arguably Seattle, and the Cardinals beat them at home.

If they can beat Seattle, they can beat anyone.

That all being said, they gotta start winning versus the Niners. Beat the Niners, and they will be in the running next season.

I think most would agree that the Cardinals are at a tipping point. They have shown they have enough talent to travel to Seattle and win, but they also have some old talent on the roster and have to figure out a way to both get younger and make tough decisions in regards to their elder talent. How do they manage Palmer, Fitzgerald, Dockett, Abraham and Dansby. How are they able to fill other holes on the roster and bring in talent to replace these players in the next 3 years. How do they manage upcoming contacts for Floyd and Peterson and can they develop draft picks to step in as starters.

We are close to being contenders in that we have talent and a staff that seems to know how to put players in positions to win games. The question is if this staff and front office can keep consistency at the QB position and bring in and develop new talent through the draft to ensure long term success. Good teams consistently go to the playoffs and the lucky ones win a championship. We need to consistently get in the dance if we are going to eventually win a championship.

 

[kerouac9]

True, they were 2-4 in the division but they blew a double digit 4th quarter lead in week 1 on the road and they were a Jay Feely away from beating SF at home. I know they lost but that could have turned into 4-2 rather easily and that's why I said they were CLOSE to being a contender.

Also, winning on the road in Seattle toward the end of the season, the first team to do it in over 2 years, tells me much more about the team than their overall 2-4 division record. Especially when they started out 0-3 in the division. And, again, if Feely comes through, they would likely be riding a 3 game division win streak into next season.

Well, if my aunt had gonads, she'd be my uncle. You are who your record says that you are, and the Cards are a team that didn't have a winning record in their division.

It doesn't make any logical sense to say that a single data point is more telling than six data points. You can think that, but it doesn't make it true.

What I DO think is likely is that the Cards offense will be better on third downs in 2014, in part because of regression to the mean, and more because I expect that to be the primary focus of the offseason training. Maybe that's going to mean that we're better in division, but the Seahawks are going to get Percy Harvin back, the 49ers are going to get Crabtree back for 16 games, and the Rams are going to have 2 very high first-round picks.

Everyone gets better on paper in the offseason.

I am going to go all Levi Brown on you and say that the Cardinals are contenders because the contenders are not as clearly dominant as in years past. The most dominant team is arguably Seattle, and the Cardinals beat them at home.

If they can beat Seattle, they can beat anyone.

That all being said, they gotta start winning versus the Niners. Beat the Niners, and they will be in the running next season.

I disagree. The advanced metrics people will tell you that the dominant teams are more dominant now than they've been in the last 15 years (parity doesn't exist in the regular season), but that once you're in the dance, the odds tend to even out.

I like how a one-score win over Seattle overrides one-score losses to St. Louis and San Francisco twice. The record is what it is.

 

[Totally_Red]

I think most would agree that the Cardinals are at a tipping point. They have shown they have enough talent to travel to Seattle and win, but they also have some old talent on the roster and have to figure out a way to both get younger and make tough decisions in regards to their elder talent. How do they manage Palmer, Fitzgerald, Dockett, Abraham and Dansby. How are they able to fill other holes on the roster and bring in talent to replace these players in the next 3 years. How do they manage upcoming contacts for Floyd and Peterson and can they develop draft picks to step in as starters.

We are close to being contenders in that we have talent and a staff that seems to know how to put players in positions to win games. The question is if this staff and front office can keep consistency at the QB position and bring in and develop new talent through the draft to ensure long term success. Good teams consistently go to the playoffs and the lucky ones win a championship. We need to consistently get in the dance if we are going to eventually win a championship.

The good news is that the Cardinals appear to have substanially strengthened their front office in the last year. They still struck out on Ryan Swope and the TE Jefferson, but overall seem to be doing more due diligence on the draft.

I wil be interesting to see how the draft choices that didn't contribute in 2013 {Kevin Minter and Earl Watford} work out.

Besides solidifying the offensive line, probably the most important objective long term IMO, should be building the quality depth that it takes to be consistently good year in and year out. That depth helps special teams and is a godsend when the inevitable injuries hit.

 

[MadCardDisease]

This is the third time that the Cards have been hamstrung due to Fitz's deal.

I'm sure that Fitz would take a "good restructure", which means they cut him a $10M check in March and pro-rate that number over the remainder of the deal.

I don't know why/how Fitz would be amenable to a "bad restructure", in which Fitz takes a salary cut two years into a new contract, and after the first year of a contract extension.

I'd also like to quibble with the idea that the Cards are "so close to being legit title contenders." The Cards were 2-4 in their division last year. They may have won 10 games, but they also went 4-0 against the worst division in football (AFC South). I think they're close to being a wild card team (clearly), but it's not clear to me that the window is open on a title run.

How many more of Rod Graves' bad contracts do the Cardinals still have to deal with.



There is NO way Fitz's agent Eugene Parker accepts any type of pay cut. A restructure would just kick the can down the road a year.

I'm at a point where (and I never thought I would say this) I would be open to trading Fitz. There are a dozen teams that could easily take on his salary this year and would love to have a player of his caliber and character.

I'm a huge Fitz fan but keeping his cap hit over the next two years means we lose out on 6-7 quality players that most likely sets this team back a year or two.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I heard he won't take a pay cut but rather split it out in bonuses. Or something like that.

Correct, this is what the local media is reporting that Fitz's people have said. Extension, more up front money.

 

[Russ Smith]

This is the third time that the Cards have been hamstrung due to Fitz's deal.

I'm sure that Fitz would take a "good restructure", which means they cut him a $10M check in March and pro-rate that number over the remainder of the deal.

I don't know why/how Fitz would be amenable to a "bad restructure", in which Fitz takes a salary cut two years into a new contract, and after the first year of a contract extension.

I'd also like to quibble with the idea that the Cards are "so close to being legit title contenders." The Cards were 2-4 in their division last year. They may have won 10 games, but they also went 4-0 against the worst division in football (AFC South). I think they're close to being a wild card team (clearly), but it's not clear to me that the window is open on a title run.

True but that works both ways. we went 1-3 for example against the teams playing for the NFC spot in the Superbowl, they were both in our division. We beat Seattle once. So we're not as good as they are clearly, but we're not all that far off either if we have a good offseason.

Fitz is definitely a huge part of that, you want to keep him but at a good price, as others said here that's a huge key to our offseason what we do with his contract.

 

[GatorAZ]

I'm guessing 3-4 mil will be pushed back to the final 3 years for some instant gain. Next year is even worse when it hits 21m. That has to be the highest cap hit for a non-QB in league history.

 

[CardLogic]

How many more of Rod Graves' bad contracts do the Cardinals still have to deal with.



There is NO way Fitz's agent Eugene Parker accepts any type of pay cut. A restructure would just kick the can down the road a year.

I'm at a point where (and I never thought I would say this) I would be open to trading Fitz. There are a dozen teams that could easily take on his salary this year and would love to have a player of his caliber and character.

I'm a huge Fitz fan but keeping his cap hit over the next two years means we lose out on 6-7 quality players that most likely sets this team back a year or two.

On the part of MCD's post which I put in bold -

Unless Fitz tells him to. . .

Talking about this yesterday, with a friend and fellow Cardinals fan, and he asked, "What if you could trade Fitz, unloading his contract, and pick up Anquan Boldin, as a free agent?"

Hhmmm!

 

[Denny Green Fan]

How many more of Rod Graves' bad contracts do the Cardinals still have to deal with.



There is NO way Fitz's agent Eugene Parker accepts any type of pay cut. A restructure would just kick the can down the road a year.

I'm at a point where (and I never thought I would say this) I would be open to trading Fitz. There are a dozen teams that could easily take on his salary this year and would love to have a player of his caliber and character.

I'm a huge Fitz fan but keeping his cap hit over the next two years means we lose out on 6-7 quality players that most likely sets this team back a year or two.

Just think Jay Gruden could of had Sammy Watkins at 2 to be his AJ Green.

The Redskins have $ 35 million in cap space and need a splash for those

fans. That owner is a smart businessman but a dumb owner. Fitz for the

Redskins 2015 first rounder?

 

[john h]

His 18 mill cap hit, and how to deal with it, is the elephant in the room this off season. Do the Cards simply absorb the hit and limit themsleves in FA market or do they approach him about a re-structure?

I know the Cards say they are able to deal with the cap hit and are comfortable with it. However, I think their actions will indicate otherwise. With the roster they have and how close they are to becoming legit title contenders, they almost have to approach Fitz and get the cap relief to take the next step. Just thrwoing names out here, but let's say the Cards get the cap relief and the go out and re-sign Dansby while adding a Brandon Albert, TJ Ward, and even a Chris Johnson once Tennesee releases him, as has been rumored. You could very realistically add those players along with 6-8 new talented draftees and this team is as good as any in the league.

The next question is would Fitz be up for a re-structure? He always tries to present himself as a team guy but is he? I have no problem with guys getting the max out their contracts but Fitz has already held the Cards hostage in free agency in the past so it's not a stretch that he'd do it again. In fact, he's held the Cards over a barrel twice now, and again I don't blame him, but why would this time be different.

The last question is, how would the Cards handle it if Fitz balked at re-structuring? Do they go to the press and portray him as a selfish teammate that won't do things to help the roster like other superstars have? Do they just sit staus quo and absorb the hit? Or, do they look to move him?

I think in the next couple months, how the Cards and Fitz handle things is going to be very telling not only for next season, but the not so distant future as well. This team is right on the brink. Fitz's situation could easily make or break the Cards roster.

Fitz has always struck me as a good guy and a smart guy. He like any of them want their money but I think he will work with the team as much as possible. One thing we should not do is embarrass him with the public. He is there hero. He is a guy who is very valuable even as his skills diminish.

 

[john h]

Agree that this is likely where things go for 2014, and possibly address the larger issue going forward prior to paying his $8m bonus in 2015. The last three years of the present deal ($45m+) is all salary, a team option so to speak. It's an incentive to reach an agreement if Fitz wants to see any of it.

Did the CAP for all teams not go up over $10 million this year? Are we now spending up to our CAP or are we holding back some for the owners?

 

[MadCardDisease]

On the part of MCD's post which I put in bold -

Unless Fitz tells him to. . .

Fitz could do that if he wanted to throw away money and from what I've heard, Fitz is very frugal and guards his money like a hawk.

The fact of the matter is Parker worked Rod Graves like an expert thief. From the rookie contract to each of the renegotiated contracts, Parker made sure Fitz had all of the leverage. So with the Cardinals behind the 8 ball yet again it's their move. Fitz will get his money no matter what.

 

[kerouac9]

True but that works both ways. we went 1-3 for example against the teams playing for the NFC spot in the Superbowl, they were both in our division. We beat Seattle once. So we're not as good as they are clearly, but we're not all that far off either if we have a good offseason.

Fitz is definitely a huge part of that, you want to keep him but at a good price, as others said here that's a huge key to our offseason what we do with his contract.

I don't know. We're still going to play those two NFC Championship teams twice next year, and is there any reason to believe that they're not going to have "good offseasons" as well?

For the 49ers, the might lose Boldin, but they're going to get Crabtree back. They'll still have Bowman and Willis. Eric Reid will have another candle on the birthday cake, and they'll have a draft class that will likely include a couple of corners, plus the injured guys they just stashed from last April. And Aldon Smith will be back for the year.

And San Francisco has $10M in salary cap space.

Seattle is only scheduled to have $5M in salary cap space, but they'll have Harvin, another year of Wilson's development, etc., etc.

Not only do you have to get better than San Francisco and Seattle, but you have to get better faster than they'll improve to catch up to them.

In the long run (three years or more), they'll get worse. Kaepernick will have to get a new deal next season, and Wilson will be due for a new contract the year after that. They'll pretty quickly have to make some decisions about their roster.

If the Cards had a plan to be spooled up and ready to win a championship in 2015, a 10-6 season in 2013 shouldn't get them off that plan.

 

[MadCardDisease]

In the long run (three years or more), they'll get worse. Kaepernick will have to get a new deal next season, and Wilson will be due for a new contract the year after that. They'll pretty quickly have to make some decisions about their roster.

Agreed. In 2015 the Niners will have to deal with the following big name FAs:

Colin Kaepernick
Aldon Smith
Michael Crabtree
Mike Iupati
Glenn Dorsey
Frank Gore

They will need to find a replacement for Gore, but that's a lot of money in future contracts that the Niners will have to deal with either next year or 2015. Not to mention guys like Patrick Willis having their contracts jump up majorly in the next couple of years.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I like how a one-score win over Seattle overrides one-score losses to St. Louis and San Francisco twice. The record is what it is.

Really ?

It is actually the improvement from the 1st Rams game to the 2nd, the beating of Seattle at home (which is impossible per nation media), and bringing the hottest team in the league to overtime in the the Niners that makes me say that.

So what is it ? Seattle is not that good, or Seattle is more dominant in the league than any other team in recent history ?

Because we beat them at home. The same goes with the Niners.

They are either good teams or bad teams.

The Colts are either a good team or a bad team, the Panthers are either a good team or a bad team, the Eagles are either a good team or a bad team.

The record is what it is, damn right. 10-6 with wins against playoff teams, and another couple games where the Cardinals where right there with those teams.

Just sayin'

Anyway you cut it, the Cardinals had a good year this year, and are lined up to contend.

I like how Seattle and other teams are dominant in the league, except when the play the Cardinals, then they aren't that good.

The opportunity is there, it is what they do this offseason (as you stated) is what will be the difference.