If I were Cardinals GM-----

[Catfish]

In order to resolve the salary/Cap implications concerning Larry Fitzgerald for 2015, I would do the following.

I would determine just how badly Fitz wanted to remain an Arizona Cardinal. If it was really important for him to remain on the team, then I would try to accommodate him, but would make it clear that he would have to give up a lot of salary in order to match his diminished skill set. I would, at the same time, be willing to move him out of the slot, and back to the WR position that he covets, and rotate him with both Michael Floyd and John Brown. Fitz is still a very good receiver, he is just no longer an 'elite' one. He should not be commanding an 'elite' salary at this point. He is not fast enough to run away from cover men like he did early in his career, and he has suffered a series of hamstring injuries that have limited his effectiveness. If he would not be willing to meet me on a 'reasonable' salary, then I would be prepared to cut and move on from him.

There are several very good wide receivers coming out of college in the draft, (Jalen Strong of ASU is one of them), who could go far towards eventually replacing Fitz on this roster. Not having someone to mentor him like Fitz had in his early days on the sidelines with the Vikings, Strong is more raw at this stage than Fitz was, but he has many of the same attributes that Fitz possessed, and given time and proper training, could become very Fitz-like in ability. Juron Brown should be ready and able to move into the slot receiver position, and by adding a WR/KR like Lockett from Kansas State in the draft, we could still produce a very strong receiving corps, especially with the continued progress of both Niklas and Fells at TE, and maybe with the FA addition of Virgil Green of the Broncos. Having a healthy Ellington out of the backfield will also make a big difference for a Carson Palmer under center. We might have to eat a year of dead money, but we would eventually get out of CAP purgatory, and Keim would then be able to arrange for a similar circumstance to be avoided in the future.

 

[slanidrac16]

There will be plenty of options should Fitz decide not to want to do what it takes to remain a Cardinal.

 

[Mitch]

If I were the GM: hmmm....

1. Try to keep Fitz (as long as he wants to stay---if, not, let him and his agent find a trade that works for both sides) at $8-9M a year. Fitz's leadership is worth that kind of salary. Plus, it is time to maximize his value in the red zone, where he remains a bona fide TD maven.

2. Try to renegotiate a reasonable contract for Darnell Dockett at somewhere between $3-4M. Again, we are paying for leadership with Dockett and this year he and the team need to make sure he splits snaps with Frostee Rucker and Ed Stinson. Dockett's days of taking the majority of the snaps are behind him.

3. Make a trade for QB Mike Glennon and have him split the first-team reps in practice with Carson Palmer. Make it an even competition. This would mean trading or releasing Drew Stanton, which would save $2M+ on the cap. I would have Logan Thomas and Jeff Matthews compete for the #3 QB spot---and if Matthews wins, then we convert Thomas to TE.

4. Make it a priority to re-sign Justin Bethel. I think Antonio Cromartie will likely go back to the Jets in a feel-good move for him and Bowles. I would like to sign CB Buster Skrine (CLE) or CB Davon House (GB) in free agency and have him compete with Bethel for the starting position at RCB.

5. I would like to make my two biggest UFA signings at G with one of the following: Clint Boling (CIN), Orlando Franklin (DEN), James Carpenter (SEA) or Mike Iupati (SF)---or---if I really like sleeper G Anthony Steen or one of the very good guards in the draft---I make a move for C Steven Wisniewski (OAK)....and at OLB/DE with one of the following: Jabaal Sheard (CLE), Jason Worilds (PIT), Brian Orakpo (WAS) or Bruce Carter (DAL), with Dan Skuta (SF) and Brandon Graham (PHI) as lesser expensive options.

6. Add a power RB and more speed at WR and at LB. If it were me, I would have speed options at OLB for when we play mobile QBs. The Cardinals keep saying they want length on the edge...but I think Clay Matthews showed how important it is to have quick, smaller edge players versus Russell Wilson.

7. Hire a 34 defense guru to assist James Bettcher. It should be interesting to learn why BA&SK are so high on Bettcher, given his age and lack of experience. There have to be some salient reasons. This would seem like such a roll of the dice---if indeed BA&SK still believe they can contend for the Lombardi.

8. On STs---it will be great to get Dave Zastudil back. A new return man with a bounce would be high on the ST list as well. Tyler Lockett from Kansas St. would be wonderful, if possible.

9. It's time for teams to start giving key starters some scheduled rest if and when possible. Steve Keim has been doing a fabulous job of building the depth of the roster. Pacing is so important during such a long, grueling season.

 

[overseascardfan]

If I were the GM: hmmm....

1. Try to keep Fitz (as long as he wants to stay---if, not, let him and his agent find a trade that works for both sides) at $8-9M a year. Fitz's leadership is worth that kind of salary. Plus, it is time to maximize his value in the red zone, where he remains a bona fide TD maven.

2. Try to renegotiate a reasonable contract for Darnell Dockett at somewhere between $3-4M. Again, we are paying for leadership with Dockett and this year he and the team need to make sure he splits snaps with Frostee Rucker and Ed Stinson. Dockett's days of taking the majority of the snaps are behind him.

3. Make a trade for QB Mike Glennon and have him split the first-team reps in practice with Carson Palmer. Make it an even competition. This would mean trading or releasing Drew Stanton, which would save $2M+ on the cap. I would have Logan Thomas and Jeff Matthews compete for the #3 QB spot---and if Matthews wins, then we convert Thomas to TE.

4. Make it a priority to re-sign Justin Bethel. I think Antonio Cromartie will likely go back to the Jets in a feel-good move for him and Bowles. I would like to sign CB Buster Skrine (CLE) or CB Davon House (GB) in free agency and have him compete with Bethel for the starting position at RCB.

5. I would like to make my two biggest UFA signings at G with one of the following: Clint Boling (CIN), Orlando Franklin (DEN), James Carpenter (SEA) or Mike Iupati (SF)---or---if I really like sleeper G Anthony Steen or one of the very good guards in the draft---I make a move for C Steven Wisniewski (OAK)....and at OLB/DE with one of the following: Jabaal Sheard (CLE), Jason Worilds (PIT), Brian Orakpo (WAS) or Bruce Carter (DAL), with Dan Skuta (SF) and Brandon Graham (PHI) as lesser expensive options.

6. Add a power RB and more speed at WR and at LB. If it were me, I would have speed options at OLB for when we play mobile QBs. The Cardinals keep saying they want length on the edge...but I think Clay Matthews showed how important it is to have quick, smaller edge players versus Russell Wilson.

7. Hire a 34 defense guru to assist James Bettcher. It should be interesting to learn why BA&SK are so high on Bettcher, given his age and lack of experience. There have to be some salient reasons. This would seem like such a roll of the dice---if indeed BA&SK still believe they can contend for the Lombardi.

8. On STs---it will be great to get Dave Zastudil back. A new return man with a bounce would be high on the ST list as well. Tyler Lockett from Kansas St. would be wonderful, if possible.

9. It's time for teams to start giving key starters some scheduled rest if and when possible. Steve Keim has been doing a fabulous job of building the depth of the roster. Pacing is so important during such a long, grueling season.

I agree 100% with everything on your list. The only thing I would add is taking a CB in Round 2, preferably Marcus Peters but he actually may sneak into Round 1, if that happens I would go for Doran Grant who really had an impressive string of games from B10 Championship to the NT game, keeping Amari Cooper in check.

 

[WildBB]

Having a healthy Ellington out of the backfield will also make a big difference for a Carson Palmer under center.

As much as I really like AE he is not the answer to an every down RB. He needs to be used accordingly.

I'm looking reaalllyyy closely at the Minnesota RB Cobb in the Sr. Bowl.

But no matter what I think he'd be a great addition. Davis from SCar. as well.

If you wait till the 3rd Rd. I think those two options will be gone as will Abdullah and Guerley. They'll all be snatched up already.

So OL , CB or OLB have to be the focus in FA, imo. becaus it's one of them in the 1st and RB soon after.

 

[Catfish]

BB-----I did not mean to imply that Ellington would be our feature back, only that when healthy he is a real weapon both as a ball carrier AND a receiver. He has already shown that he cannot carry a feature back load for a 16 game season. He would make a perfect compliment for a big, between the tackles bruiser of a back who can get to the second level and occasionally make the first man there miss.

I wholly agree with your last sentence. Keim has been very good at setting up our draft by using Free Agency, and I hope to see him continue to do so this year.

 

[Jetstream Green]

If I were the GM: hmmm....

1. Try to keep Fitz (as long as he wants to stay---if, not, let him and his agent find a trade that works for both sides) at $8-9M a year. Fitz's leadership is worth that kind of salary. Plus, it is time to maximize his value in the red zone, where he remains a bona fide TD maven.

2. Try to renegotiate a reasonable contract for Darnell Dockett at somewhere between $3-4M. Again, we are paying for leadership with Dockett and this year he and the team need to make sure he splits snaps with Frostee Rucker and Ed Stinson. Dockett's days of taking the majority of the snaps are behind him.

3. Make a trade for QB Mike Glennon and have him split the first-team reps in practice with Carson Palmer. Make it an even competition. This would mean trading or releasing Drew Stanton, which would save $2M+ on the cap. I would have Logan Thomas and Jeff Matthews compete for the #3 QB spot---and if Matthews wins, then we convert Thomas to TE.

4. Make it a priority to re-sign Justin Bethel. I think Antonio Cromartie will likely go back to the Jets in a feel-good move for him and Bowles. I would like to sign CB Buster Skrine (CLE) or CB Davon House (GB) in free agency and have him compete with Bethel for the starting position at RCB.

5. I would like to make my two biggest UFA signings at G with one of the following: Clint Boling (CIN), Orlando Franklin (DEN), James Carpenter (SEA) or Mike Iupati (SF)---or---if I really like sleeper G Anthony Steen or one of the very good guards in the draft---I make a move for C Steven Wisniewski (OAK)....and at OLB/DE with one of the following: Jabaal Sheard (CLE), Jason Worilds (PIT), Brian Orakpo (WAS) or Bruce Carter (DAL), with Dan Skuta (SF) and Brandon Graham (PHI) as lesser expensive options.

6. Add a power RB and more speed at WR and at LB. If it were me, I would have speed options at OLB for when we play mobile QBs. The Cardinals keep saying they want length on the edge...but I think Clay Matthews showed how important it is to have quick, smaller edge players versus Russell Wilson.

7. Hire a 34 defense guru to assist James Bettcher. It should be interesting to learn why BA&SK are so high on Bettcher, given his age and lack of experience. There have to be some salient reasons. This would seem like such a roll of the dice---if indeed BA&SK still believe they can contend for the Lombardi.

8. On STs---it will be great to get Dave Zastudil back. A new return man with a bounce would be high on the ST list as well. Tyler Lockett from Kansas St. would be wonderful, if possible.

9. It's time for teams to start giving key starters some scheduled rest if and when possible. Steve Keim has been doing a fabulous job of building the depth of the roster. Pacing is so important during such a long, grueling season.

I like this a lot... I would also add rolling the dice on Arakpo

 

[BigRedMO]

In order to resolve the salary/Cap implications concerning Larry Fitzgerald for 2015, I would do the following.

I would determine just how badly Fitz wanted to remain an Arizona Cardinal. If it was really important for him to remain on the team, then I would try to accommodate him, but would make it clear that he would have to give up a lot of salary in order to match his diminished skill set. I would, at the same time, be willing to move him out of the slot, and back to the WR position that he covets, and rotate him with both Michael Floyd and John Brown. Fitz is still a very good receiver, he is just no longer an 'elite' one. He should not be commanding an 'elite' salary at this point. He is not fast enough to run away from cover men like he did early in his career, and he has suffered a series of hamstring injuries that have limited his effectiveness. If he would not be willing to meet me on a 'reasonable' salary, then I would be prepared to cut and move on from him.

There are several very good wide receivers coming out of college in the draft, (Jalen Strong of ASU is one of them), who could go far towards eventually replacing Fitz on this roster. Not having someone to mentor him like Fitz had in his early days on the sidelines with the Vikings, Strong is more raw at this stage than Fitz was, but he has many of the same attributes that Fitz possessed, and given time and proper training, could become very Fitz-like in ability. Juron Brown should be ready and able to move into the slot receiver position, and by adding a WR/KR like Lockett from Kansas State in the draft, we could still produce a very strong receiving corps, especially with the continued progress of both Niklas and Fells at TE, and maybe with the FA addition of Virgil Green of the Broncos. Having a healthy Ellington out of the backfield will also make a big difference for a Carson Palmer under center. We might have to eat a year of dead money, but we would eventually get out of CAP purgatory, and Keim would then be able to arrange for a similar circumstance to be avoided in the future.

The only reason Fitz doesnt look elite to you is because his stats last season dont rank as elite. Hard to catch a ball when blocking. Fitz problem is the Big Red wont utlize his talents. There is any better option on the team? Floyd? What a joke he is with his poor hands. Fitz catches what is thrown to him and doent fumble. Boldin blossomed after he got out of AZ and so will Fitz. I am sorry he wasted so many years with an organization that could not address the QB position and when they finally did decided Fitz wasnt elite anymore. Fitz great talent was never the speed to run away from people. He was never Mel Gray or Roy Green. His great ability is to go up and come down with the ball in traffic. Let Brady have him and see the resurrection.

 

[overseascardfan]

As much as I really like AE he is not the answer to an every down RB. He needs to be used accordingly.

I'm looking reaalllyyy closely at the Minnesota RB Cobb in the Sr. Bowl.

But no matter what I think he'd be a great addition. Davis from SCar. as well.

If you wait till the 3rd Rd. I think those two options will be gone as will Abdullah and Guerley. They'll all be snatched up already.

So OL , CB or OLB have to be the focus in FA, imo. becaus it's one of them in the 1st and RB soon after.

Cobb would be nice but I really like Ajayi, he is also a big back that can give you 20 - 25 carries a game.

Money will be tight this offseason, not sure if ARZ is going to be able to bring in outside FA's at those three positions because those are 3 big ticket items in terms of salary, particularly if we are talking starting caliber players. Even if Fitz & DD agree to cap friendly restructured deals, we still have Williams and a couple of others to re-sign that will take up some of that money saved.

ARZ is going to have to rely on the draft to get better, they need to really hit home runs with their picks.

I like Walter Footballs 4 round mock that has us taking an OLB, CB, RB & OG with our picks. I agree with the positions but not all the players. They have us taking Harold in Round 1, I would prefer Orchard. I like Peters in Round 2, Round 3 they have us taking Mike Davis, I'm hoping for Ajayi because is a bigger back. Fourth round they have us taking John Miller out of Louisville who I like a lot.

 

[Paso Fino]

You are 100% right about Fitz.

 

[GatorAZ]

3 years // 30m with 20m guaranteed is my guess as to what will happen. I think he stays.

 

[Catfish]

Mitch, Once again you have shown that you possess a brilliant 'football' mind. I find your nine point plan to be extremely sound, (although I confess to knowing virtually nothing about Mike Glennon at the QB position). Your selections for fixing the O-line almost mirror mine, (though I would probably pass on Franklin due to his penchant for false starting). I just think that every time that happened, he would bring back hated memories of Levi Brown's failures here, and would outrage both team-mates and fans each time he caused a drive to stall.