The McFadden "Meet and Greet" Stunt is the most classless move by the FO in years

[D-Dogg]

Drayton Florence just signed a 2 year deal for 6.6 million.



I wouldn't offer McFadden anything more than $5 mill a year and 4 or 4.5 is probably ideal.



This is the way FA is SUPPOSED to be played, guys. Not jumping on the first day and overpaying someone. McFadden isn't getting any offer out there that is great, or he'd have signed already. So we are still in the mix, at whatever we offered, if we offered anything at all. Nobody is moneywhipping this guy though, so why should we? Stay in contact, let him think about the offer if it is there, and every day that goes by that someone doesn't give him a big payday (probably won't happen at this point) the odds go up that he takes what we put on the table.

There is no reason to jump like madmen at FAs...ESPECIALLY in this class of FA which isn't all that special.

 

[az jam]

Good question, do you have an answer ?

It seems you are saying we aren't working on them, any reason for that ?

Don't really know if we are negotiating with any of the 3 free agents that were here on Monday. Hope that we are. Just too much talk on Warner. Cards also say very little publicly which is their prerogative. Patience is a virtue that not many have.

 

[football karma]

I dont know why anyone who has followed this team for the last few years would get their heart rate up over how they approach free agency.

They repeatedly say prior to free agency that they wont be big players or do much the first week. Their history says they put prices on players and really dont move off of those prices, to the point of letting guys they like walk ( see Brandon Chillar last year), and are more than happy to take their time in the process.

They made their big picture case to Bryan McFadden -- and probably had exploratory discussions with his agent on contract parameters. I suspect McFaddens "ask" was outside of the parameters by an amount that it would be a waste of time to offer a contract -- I also suspect they agreed to stay in touch so if another week goes by and McFadden isnt offered what he wants, he comes back to the table.


Again, I dont think Graves is all that. His linear style ( he only gets things done in some predetermined order) rather than parallel make me crazy. I also hate what I see as contract procrastination that only ends up costing more money ultimately. (Dansby could have been signed last year prior to free agency for what then would have seemed expensive, but today would be very reasonable).

All that being said -- I cant disagree with the big picture strategy the FO has.

 

[MadCardDisease]

I understand the logic behind the Boldin issue: He signed the contract

I understand the logic behind the Warner issue: 14 million per year is, arguably, way too much for an aging QB when we have Matt Leinart on the bench collecting a great deal of money

But to bring a young guy who is due for his first big Free Agency payday under the clear assumption that he is getting an offer (he even stated this expectation in a quote) and to just waste his time for a day and a half with a "meet and greet" is just downright bush-league. McFadden is widely considered the best CB in free agency and has clearly elicited interest from other teams. If you were him, wouldn't you be upset? If you were an agent, would you schedule visits like this in the future?

If a kid is out of our price range, just don't invite him Rod.

I have no idea what the situation is.

However this is a job interview. The Big Payday only comes if an employer hires you and thinks you deserve a big pay day.

I guess I'm confused as to why you think that any team is obligated to make an offer to someone they bring in. My company interviews everyone before they hire them. Many they don't give offers too even though they have solid resumes.

 

[Skkorpion]

I dont know why anyone who has followed this team for the last few years would get their heart rate up over how they approach free agency.

They repeatedly say prior to free agency that they wont be big players or do much the first week. Their history says they put prices on players and really dont move off of those prices, to the point of letting guys they like walk ( see Brandon Chillar last year), and are more than happy to take their time in the process.

They made their big picture case to Bryan McFadden -- and probably had exploratory discussions with his agent on contract parameters. I suspect McFaddens "ask" was outside of the parameters by an amount that it would be a waste of time to offer a contract -- I also suspect they agreed to stay in touch so if another week goes by and McFadden isnt offered what he wants, he comes back to the table.


Again, I dont think Graves is all that. His linear style ( he only gets things done in some predetermined order) rather than parallel make me crazy. I also hate what I see as contract procrastination that only ends up costing more money ultimately. (Dansby could have been signed last year prior to free agency for what then would have seemed expensive, but today would be very reasonable).

All that being said -- I cant disagree with the big picture strategy the FO has.

You have a good handle on it. Also, yesterdy I read an opinion piece on the Drayton Florence contract that called it a dumb overpay. It was on nfl.com or cbssports.com. When I find it I'll slap the link up here.

 

[AsUdUdE]

ok apparently I missed something, is McFadden offcially out?

Or has he just not signed yet and everyone is jumping to conclusions, I am still holding out hope... haven't heard anything definitve.....

 

[cgolden]

Or has he just not signed yet and everyone is jumping to conclusions

DING, DING, DING.....Patience is a virtue that no one seems to possess.

 

[JeffGollin]

ok apparently I missed something, is McFadden offcially out?

Or has he just not signed yet and everyone is jumping to conclusions, I am still holding out hope... haven't heard anything definitve.....

As I understand it, there's no hard news, and some Cardinal fans who are antsy about whether or not he'll sign are (a) speculating and then (b) criticizing the speculation.

One other cautionary word - Be careful what you read when it's not official info or corroborated by a reliable source. Some agents get their jollies filling the information vacuum with disinformation in order to shake the tree & see what falls out.

 

[PoolBoy]

still haven't seen a link saying we didn't offer or that he signed elsewhere. everyone chill. The FO is doing just fine IMO.

 

[ARZCardinals]

Every agent talks to the teams in advance about what kind of $ they expect. Cards probably offered him a little less and he said 'no.'

He moves on and uses our offer with another team...just as Lamont Jordan did.

 

[Section 135]

Really wish I had Rod Graves job...

What is his job description during the off season?

Do nothing, smile nod, pretend to negotiate. Sit on hands and repeat.

I am sure it is a tough job to have, but with doing ABSOLUTELY nothing in what should be one of the busiest weeks of the year, it sure makes his job look easy.

 

[Dayman]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09064/953371-66.stm

Cornerback Bryant McFadden, the team's only starter who is an unrestricted free agent, has not signed elsewhere and his asking price may be too high, some in the NFL believe. He returned from a visit this week with the Arizona Cardinals, whose plans in free agency came more into focus yesterday when they signed quarterback Kurt Warner to a two-year, $23 million contract.

 

[PoolBoy]

Really wish I had Rod Graves job...

What is his job description during the off season?

Do nothing, smile nod, pretend to negotiate. Sit on hands and repeat.

I am sure it is a tough job to have, but with doing ABSOLUTELY nothing in what should be one of the busiest weeks of the year, it sure makes his job look easy.

what about the other teams that need CB's as much or more than us? Their GM's? I don't think Graves is the best, but ya'll are just reaching now. Noone else has signed this guy yet, they are waiting for his asking to come down according to Urban. the bold statement above is just plain ignorance.

 

[splitsecond]

um, I vote ban OP for at least 1/2 dozen negative, baseless threads in the last week. it is bordering on ridiculous.

 

[perivolaki]

Drayton Florence just signed a 2 year deal for 6.6 million.



I wouldn't offer McFadden anything more than $5 mill a year and 4 or 4.5 is probably ideal.



This is the way FA is SUPPOSED to be played, guys. Not jumping on the first day and overpaying someone. McFadden isn't getting any offer out there that is great, or he'd have signed already. So we are still in the mix, at whatever we offered, if we offered anything at all. Nobody is moneywhipping this guy though, so why should we? Stay in contact, let him think about the offer if it is there, and every day that goes by that someone doesn't give him a big payday (probably won't happen at this point) the odds go up that he takes what we put on the table.

There is no reason to jump like madmen at FAs...ESPECIALLY in this class of FA which isn't all that special.

Great post. You hit it exactly.

It is hard for fans to wait but out the first week or so but the real value comes after the gold rush. Now is the time when some of these guys realize that the big money has gone and they will be looking for a place to land at a reasonable price.

Think about our recent free agent signings. Mike Gandy wasn't signed till April 2nd. What a great signing that the team just waited and waited and waited for. They targeted him and I think they just waited to see if he got any substantial offers. It almost looked like he wouldn't even find a home till the Cardinals signed him late. We must be patient.

 

[lauraw]

its so hard to be patient though, when you are jones-ing for some good news like kurt signing, and want it to continue.

 

[PoolBoy]

http://azcardinals.com/blog/post.php?author=1&id=1728

everyone breathe.....gooooozfrabaaaa

 

[CardLogic]

Ooooohhhh the anger sharks are swimming!

 

[D-Dogg]

Great post. You hit it exactly.

It is hard for fans to wait but out the first week or so but the real value comes after the gold rush. Now is the time when some of these guys realize that the big money has gone and they will be looking for a place to land at a reasonable price.

Think about our recent free agent signings. Mike Gandy wasn't signed till April 2nd. What a great signing that the team just waited and waited and waited for. They targeted him and I think they just waited to see if he got any substantial offers. It almost looked like he wouldn't even find a home till the Cardinals signed him late. We must be patient.

Thanks...good example on Gandy.

Every day McFadden doesn't get an offer makes him more likely to jump at what we offer him.

 

[Carddan]

I agree with the team's approach to McFadden. If we can get a good deal we take it. If not, you let the opportunity pass. Overpaying free agents is a recipe for failure. Patience is a virtue.

 

[Heucrazy]

So if I just make something up and then get really mad about it, I can get 3 pages of responses like Timmy did?

 

[Timm Rosenbach]

So if I just make something up and then get really mad about it, I can get 3 pages of responses like Timmy did?

I didn't make it up. Somers wrote it. Others read it too...

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/f4/so-i-guess-no-mcfadden-130990.html

There is also a blog over at AZCardinals.com speculating as to whether he is getting an offer now with Rosenhaus in town:

http://azcardinals.com/blog/post.php?author=1&id=1728

 

[HookemCards]

Yeah, but did you actually expect a thread with your title to go well?? A little over the top don't you think.

 

[Carddan]

I understand the logic behind the Boldin issue: He signed the contract

I understand the logic behind the Warner issue: 14 million per year is, arguably, way too much for an aging QB when we have Matt Leinart on the bench collecting a great deal of money

But to bring a young guy who is due for his first big Free Agency payday under the clear assumption that he is getting an offer (he even stated this expectation in a quote) and to just waste his time for a day and a half with a "meet and greet" is just downright bush-league. McFadden is widely considered the best CB in free agency and has clearly elicited interest from other teams. If you were him, wouldn't you be upset? If you were an agent, would you schedule visits like this in the future?

If a kid is out of our price range, just don't invite him Rod.

Your post just made the all-time hall of shame. Could we agree to bash the FO less until after the team loses a game besides the Super Bowl?

I just read you response to the signing on another thread, admitting you were wrong shows class. I wish more fans would give the benefit of the doubt to the Team, FO, Coaches, Players and eachother more often. We care passionately but rarely know all the facts.

 

[Timm Rosenbach]

Your post just made the all-time hall of shame. Could we agree to bash the FO less until after the team loses a game besides the Super Bowl?

I agree. I stand corrected. And I apologize.

Clearly the Front office knows a heck of alot more than me about negotiations. I will not criticize the Front office for a full calendar year.

I accept my place as a poster who made one of the worst posts in the history of the board and will take all shots that come

On the other, I am very happy we signed McFadden. I felt that this young CB with his best years ahead of him would turn our secondary into one of the best in the league. Thank you Rod and Michael