Schefter: Fitz & Cards closing in on new deal - Contract Signed!!!

[BirdMan21]

Couldn't agree more Mitch! These days, you just don't see pro athletes making these types of decisions. Seriously, aside from Brady (who, if understand things really didn't take a pay cut), what other star NFL player, or any other star pro athlete, has done what Fitz just did??


Haha, ya his paycut was really just a way of deferring money....and using a loophole in the cap to get it. He will still get every dollar, just at the end of his playing days, or if he misses a year due to injury (which then is insured).


I think the odds have FINALLY fallen our way, in that we FINALLY have the exact perfect mix of smarts, talent and relational skills locked up in ownership, GM, coach, coaches and players... Had to happen sooner or later, right??

What Fitz did is the biggest legit paycut I have seen a player take......the thing we had working for us the entire time, was he is a smart enough man to recognize staying here was where he was going to make the most money. And even though the money isn't all that matters, the fact we are competitive made it an easy choice. Had we been 4-12 the past 3yrs, I could have seen him leaving and playing for 4-7mil somewhere else next year. But he knows this team can win....now just wait for Dockett and Campbell to restructure later this week, and a whole new contract for Washington to be put on the table. And this team will be in great cap shape going forward.

 

[82CardsGrad]

What Fitz did is the biggest legit paycut I have seen a player take......the thing we had working for us the entire time, was he is a smart enough man to recognize staying here was where he was going to make the most money. And even though the money isn't all that matters, the fact we are competitive made it an easy choice. Had we been 4-12 the past 3yrs, I could have seen him leaving and playing for 4-7mil somewhere else next year. But he knows this team can win....now just wait for Dockett and Campbell to restructure later this week, and a whole new contract for Washington to be put on the table. And this team will be in great cap shape going forward.

Who wrote this in my post: "Haha, ya his paycut was really just a way of deferring money....and using a loophole in the cap to get it. He will still get every dollar, just at the end of his playing days, or if he misses a year due to injury (which then is insured)." ??

 

[Treesquid PhD]

Awesome work by the GM and Fitz.

 

[carrrnuttt]

Trust me, the guy is not done. He still feels he can play at a 100/1000/10 level for a few more years. He works out like he is rehabbing to get back from a surgery....if we can keep Palmer upright, everyone will forget about his 2014 numbers. Especially with a slight change to his role next year.

It's not just about the numbers with Fitz. He can and will be a good mentor and example for the Card's young players, and he's already setting an example that we hope our current and potential stars will follow.

Now, if can just boil down Larry's essence into something smoke-able, then pass it to DW.

 

[BirdMan21]

Who wrote this in my post: "Haha, ya his paycut was really just a way of deferring money....and using a loophole in the cap to get it. He will still get every dollar, just at the end of his playing days, or if he misses a year due to injury (which then is insured)." ??

I did, I accidentally put it in the wrong spot.....but that is what I was told regarding his "paycut" from an agent.

 

[Cards Czar]

Getting back almost 13 million in cap space 23.6 --> 11 million or so.

according to PFT

Here is the link:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...zgerald-deal-creates-13-million-in-cap-space/

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Last season, Fitz had his longest catch from scrimmage of his career - it was a short, 8 yard pass followed by a 72 yard sprint to the goal line where he out-ran everyone... He is most definitely NOT done!!

You must be registered for see images

 

[WildBB]

OHHHH what a relief it is!

 

[cardncubfan]

This is great news. Where are all the naysayers that said Fitz was as good as gone?

 

[PDXChris]

Has there every been a card player that was drafter and retired as a card?

Pat Tillman!

 

[PDXChris]

Thank you for making it easy Fitz unlike that other player Goran Dragic.

Who is that? Is he a kicker or punter?

 

[Iceman]

Pat Tillman!

 

[Cheesebeef]

This is great news. Where are all the naysayers that said Fitz was as good as gone?

Right here and couldn't be happier to be wrong!

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Has there every been a card player that was drafted and retired as a card?

Ernest Dye.
Beanie Wells (so far)

 

[cardpa]

Glad the deal got done. I really thought he was a goner. Even worse I was worried about Floyd becoming the #1 receiver on the team. Now he stays as#2.

This also lessens the requirement to sign and/or draft a WR. Not saying it won't happen it just pushed down the list a bit now that Fitz is a done deal. They can look for a value WR now.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I did, I accidentally put it in the wrong spot.....but that is what I was told regarding his "paycut" from an agent.

If he was scheduled to make $16 million next year, how is this not a paycut??

 

[MadCardDisease]

I was pretty sure Fitz was going elsewhere. Didn't think he would want to take a big pay cut. For Keim to get this done now is huge.

I'm stoked that Fitz is still on this team. IMO even more important than that is this was the biggest hurdle of the offseason. Getting this deal done NOW means that the Cards have a ton more flexibility and allows them to concentrate on the Combine and the upcoming Free Agent market.

Awesome job Keim and company!

 

[Stout]

If he was scheduled to make $16 million next year, how is this not a paycut??

Because he was never going to see it. He now gets 22 million in GUARANTEED money. This is the key, and one of the biggest reasons he signed.

Excellent, and a good deal for both sides. Fitz gets a boatload of cash, we get a decent deal and our HOF receiver back. I call this a win-win.

 

[BirdMan21]

If he was scheduled to make $16 million next year, how is this not a paycut??

I was referring to Brady's contract. The way his was structured, he only changed when he gets the money.

Fitz, DEFINITELY took a paycut....from talking with him, he had an upper and lower level in mind for what he felt was fair to receive and that he wouldn't even negotiate....and this sat just above the middle number. So thats why things got done so quickly from when the first rumor was leaked.

Now to Stout's comment, Fitz was smart enough to realize he was never truly gonna see what his contract numbers were the rest of the 4yrs. But he was willing to take what he was "going to" make this year, guaranteed over this year and next. Because that was what he felt was a fair paycut....a bit above what he would get on the open market, but a big enough cut that he would help the Cards out significantly and stay here.

 

[MadCardDisease]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...itzgerald-arizona-cardinals-finalize-new-deal

 

[82CardsGrad]

Because he was never going to see it. He now gets 22 million in GUARANTEED money. This is the key, and one of the biggest reasons he signed.

Excellent, and a good deal for both sides. Fitz gets a boatload of cash, we get a decent deal and our HOF receiver back. I call this a win-win.

So it sounds like you believe Fitz couldn't have gotten more than a $22 million guarantee from some other team? If that's what you believe, cool... IMHO, I would say your belief is wrong.

 

[TimTheToolmanTebow]

now trade him for adrian peterson

 

[82CardsGrad]

I was referring to Brady's contract. The way his was structured, he only changed when he gets the money.

Fitz, DEFINITELY took a paycut....from talking with him, he had an upper and lower level in mind for what he felt was fair to receive and that he wouldn't even negotiate....and this sat just above the middle number. So thats why things got done so quickly from when the first rumor was leaked.

Now to Stout's comment, Fitz was smart enough to realize he was never truly gonna see what his contract numbers were the rest of the 4yrs. But he was willing to take what he was "going to" make this year, guaranteed over this year and next. Because that was what he felt was a fair paycut....a bit above what he would get on the open market, but a big enough cut that he would help the Cards out significantly and stay here.

Got it! Thanks Birdman!

 

[Phrazbit]

Nice! Some upbeat news on the AZ sports landscape! I know a Viking fan who has been blabbing for nearly a year about how Fitz was going to do everything he could to get to Minny... and I kept rolling my eyes, but now I can spit in his face... so to speak.

 

[PDXChris]

now trade him for adrian peterson

You realize that doing that accelerates all bonuses to this year and the cap hit would be as bad as it was prior to the new deal? This deal still makes him untradeable and should put to rest all ideas of trading him. But since you are just trolling, you already know that.