Per Schefter: Fitzgerald to sign 8 yr. $120 mil. contract

[SuperSpck]

He already broke a number of Rice's playoff records. That's pretty intense.

 

[BigRedFan]

Two different CBA's, which means contracts are not comparable.

Age is a factor - Larry is 27, AJ is 30. Which means you either pay a premium to get Larry to sign an 8 year deal, or you pay cheap and have him be a free agent again in 4 years and have to pay him yet again at the still prime age of 31, 4 years later when contracts are much bigger. You probably actually save money by doing the 8 year deal now compared to two 4 year deals later.

Well Andre Johnson's was done a year ago, so it's only 1 yr if you are comparing the 2. And he was coming off 2 seasons of 100+ 1500+ yard seasons while Fitz was coming off two 1100 yard seasons (1 with Kurt Warner). And many receivers have had seasons well into the 1500+ range that LF hasn't had. Nothing against him, he's great, entertaining and I'm glad he is here to stay but 50% greater than the most for a receiver in history just seems too high to me.

 

[Duckjake]

And we'll be paying even more for WR's (collectively) in a couple of years when we have to sign our #2 guy, DeMarco Sampson, to a new contract.

I sure hope the coaches are seeing what we are.

One thing that stood out to me was, on the Bartel INT in the endzone, #89 is initially covered but sees Bartel moving and immediately takes off and gets open. If Bartel had seen him it would have been at worst 3rd and 1. I really like to see guys stay in the game like that.

But Sampson will probably just be another Pre Season star, end up on the Practice Squad and snatched up by some other team and we'll never hear of him again.

 

[Chopper0080]

The biggest shock for me was the years which is where I think that Cardinals will win in this deal. They won't have to go through this same situation in 3 years when contracts are higher, and Larry is older. They locked him up long term while he is still in his 20's, and through an age where, with rule changes protecting WR's more and more, he should be able to be a contributor at that time. Who knows how it all plays out, but right now, this is the right move.

 

[Shane]

Bucky?

 

[AzStevenCal]

Bucky?

Seriously, someone that knows CPR should stop by Bucky's place.

Steve

 

[Duckjake]

Seriously, someone that knows CPR should stop by Bucky's place.

Steve

You guys lay off. Bucky took one for the team. I loaned him my Duckjake Jinx reverse mojo for the Fitzgerald situation.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Let's take it easy on Bucky.

Between being negative and negative, he's pessimistic.

It's his nature.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I can't believe within the first 24 hours ANYONE who is a fan of this team would have even something slighly negative about this signing. Talking about freaking cap space and how much money it cost when the franchise just made the most symbolic of turns towards legitimacy.

Not that I'm going to let it bother me. Who gives a flying you know what?

Cards just resigned the best player, ambassador, and leader they have ever had! WOOHOO.

Don't suppose I'll be hearing a SOC referenc for awhile.

 

[Shane]

Don't suppose I'll be hearing a SOC referenc for awhile.

Wanna bet?

Come on bro you know better.

 

[MoeIsBetter]

Wanna bet?

Come on bro you know better.

#realtalk

 

[joeshmo]

Well Andre Johnson's was done a year ago, so it's only 1 yr if you are comparing the 2. And he was coming off 2 seasons of 100+ 1500+ yard seasons while Fitz was coming off two 1100 yard seasons (1 with Kurt Warner). And many receivers have had seasons well into the 1500+ range that LF hasn't had. Nothing against him, he's great, entertaining and I'm glad he is here to stay but 50% greater than the most for a receiver in history just seems too high to me.

All of that is well and good but that is not the point.

Once again, last year compared to this year is a huge difference. Two different CBA's. Contracts given out in different CBA's is just not comparable, the rules are different, the revenue sharing is different, the cap is different, and on and on. It isn't comparing apples to apples.

You want to compare apples to apples then wait to compare Fitz deal to what Desean or Calvin get.

Finally what matters most in these contracts - Guaranteed money - AJ got 48 mill for a 7 year deal, Fitz got 47 mill for an 8 year deal.

 

[wilycoyote24]

It's a lot of money. But, would you rather it go to Fitz or to unused cap space? It is so ridiculous to criticize this signing. This is a move that had to happen. It would have been apocalyptic had it not happened, symbolically at least. It was the right thing to do for the perception of the franchise. It will pay indirect dividends in the future, just by convincing free agents that the Cards are committed to winning.

 

[DeAnna]

So does this make Fitz higher paid than Peyton Manning or Tom Brady?

 

[Longcolts]

So does this make Fitz higher paid than Peyton Manning or Tom Brady?

Answered in the Arizona Cardinal's are fools thread.

 

[Mitch]

All of that is well and good but that is not the point.

Once again, last year compared to this year is a huge difference. Two different CBA's. Contracts given out in different CBA's is just not comparable, the rules are different, the revenue sharing is different, the cap is different, and on and on. It isn't comparing apples to apples.

You want to compare apples to apples then wait to compare Fitz deal to what Desean or Calvin get.

Finally what matters most in these contracts - Guaranteed money - AJ got 48 mill for a 7 year deal, Fitz got 47 mill for an 8 year deal.

This is why you are the ASFN capological guru! Great stuff!

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Really!

Says who?

Good question. I'd also like to know.

 

[Buckybird]

I go out get drunk, wake up very very late & this is what I wake up too...

I was highly sceptical that Fitz would be here past this year based on what has transpired the last 3yrs or so with other important guys leaving, the no franschise tag fiasco & the old contract coming down to the end. Thanks Michael, Mr B, snail, Wiz, Kolb & most importantly Larry Fitzgerald for this greatful day!!! Guess it's time to go celebrate though I'm still drunk

Go Big Red

 

[Shane]

I go out get drunk, wake up very very late & this is what I wake up too...

I was highly sceptical that Fitz would be here past this year based on what has transpired the last 3yrs or so with other important guys leaving, the no franschise tag fiasco & the old contract coming down to the end. Thanks Michael, Mr B, snail, Wiz, Kolb & most importantly Larry Fitzgerald for this greatful day!!! Guess it's time to go celebrate though I'm still drunk

Go Big Red

Crow is good for a hangover!

 

[Buckybird]

Bucky?

Seriously, someone that knows CPR should stop by Bucky's place.

Steve

You guys lay off. Bucky took one for the team. I loaned him my Duckjake Jinx reverse mojo for the Fitzgerald situation.

Let's take it easy on Bucky.

Between being negative and negative, he's pessimistic.

It's his nature.

Hey, this team has given us all reasons to doubt this day would ever come...I'm just glad it did because I'm tired of wasting $$$ on my fav players jerseys & watching them star for someone else. Now my authentic #11 jersey w/SB 43 patch stays in rotation...now get me a trophy before I die!!!

And yes Duck it worked brotha!

I prefer chicken to crow

 

[Buckybird]

Crow is good for a hangover!

I'm not sure I could keep it down right now...but I'm feeling great though the room is still spinning. We've all eaten some crow at some point of being a Redbird fan. Time for a cold one...or maybe not

 

[AzStevenCal]

I'm not sure I could keep it down right now...but I'm feeling great though the room is still spinning. We've all eaten some crow at some point of being a Redbird fan. Time for a cold one...or maybe not

Understate much? It ain't easy being Red.

Steve

 

[ajcardfan]

My favorite detail of this whole story is that when Fitz got the call to come on down to Cardinals headquarters, on a day off, he brought his cleats because he thought they might want him to run routes or work out.

Awesome! Exactly the type of guy you trust with a contract this big.

 

[Duckjake]

Hey, this team has given us all reasons to doubt this day would ever come...I'm just glad it did because I'm tired of wasting $$$ on my fav players jerseys & watching them star for someone else. Now my authentic #11 jersey w/SB 43 patch stays in rotation...now get me a trophy before I die!!!

And yes Duck it worked brotha!

I prefer chicken to crow

Hey Bucky don't let these mathematically challenged guys get to you. We know that a negative times a negative is a positive!

 

[Timm Rosenbach]

Turning point in the history of the franchise. Another superb performance today with defenders draped all over him. Can't imagine where we'd be if we had drafted anyone other than Fitzgerald in 2004.

Another gameball to the face of the franchise. Worth every penny and more