The sky is falling the sky is falling

[HookemCards]

How do you figure the Fizgerald draft pick wasnt screwed up? Character is more than not getting arrested or getting caught using steroids. I dont recall of ever hearing about a marquee player not willing to restructure a deal to benefit the team so that it makes winning more likely. Greed/selfishness in my book is as bad if not a worse flaw than the other more widely known flaws. Graves and the Cardinals when they drafted Fitzgerald did not note his serious character flaw.

As for his on the field impact. How many divsion titles or playoff games has the team had since he was drafted?

Other marguee players don't get lowballed on there restructuring. The numbers we've heard bandied about to Fitz are 5 years, 25 to 30 mil guaranteed. His salary for the next two years is more than that so why should he sign. When other marguee players restructure its only because they get more in signing bonus than the remainder of there contract OR they are at the end of there career and wanting to win a ring. I'd be willing to bet if you toss 35 mil on a 5 year deal he'd restructure, but as long as the offer for guaranteed money is less than his current contract he won't and shouldn't sign it.

 

[BigRedMO]

Blame Fitzgerald or blame ownership. Either way it is undeniable it puts the Cards in a less competitive position. That is all that is really important for me as a fan. It is very disappointing after getting ramped up for them again last year after writing off the organization forever a couple years earlier.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Well we lost Calvin Pace so our defense now is in the crapper because he is obviously the key stone of all things in the Cardinals defense. Also, we must have missed this last year, he can now jump over large buildings in a single bound.

Then we lost our 3rd WR. And you now how important your 3rd WR is for a running team. Especially one who can't catch a pass if it hits him in the hands.

We signed a blocking TE, which we needed, but it is Jerame Tuman and his name is not even on the FoxSports FA list so he sucks.

Travis Laboy was signed, but because the Cardinals signed him he instantly sucks.

Fitzgerald, along with not re-negotiating his contract yet, he has been poisoning the water supply to the desert, keeping the housing market in the toilet, and convinced Ralph Nadar to run for president. An update I just read says he is trying to get back his ring to plunge the world into darkness, and we have sent Tangodnzr, and Vikesfan with the ring to Mt. Doom to try and destroy it. I heard they met up with Rod Graves on the way to guide them....were screwed.

BUT we are looking to trade Fitzgerald for a CB with one leg, a late 2nd round pick and a football with no laces.

We lost out on signing Alan Faneca to a 50 mil contract, Pace to a 44 mil contract, and countless other free agent that would could have signed for 50 million dollars each. That stinks because if we could get away from paying Fitzgerald an insane amount of money, we could pay someone else of lesser skill an insane amount of money. But because he is a FA in news it would be OK....at least till next offseason.

Finally, it seems that Dansby digress to our 3rd best player on defense, Adrian Wilson has forgotten how to cover anyone since last year, Antonio Smith is a waste, our offensive line has digress, our QB is awful, and Okeafor and Berry are already hurt for next season.

But there is some good news. It seems Jerhme Urban has improved enough to replace Fitzgerald as our 2nd wide reciever.

Overall we will go 0-16 for the next 20 years and it is not even worth watching the games anymore.

I think I got it.

That's only a little funny.

 

[Duckjake]

That stinks because if we could get away from paying Fitzgerald an insane amount of money, we could pay someone else of lesser skill an insane amount of money.

Outstanding. Best free agency post of the 2008 off season. You should save it and post it March 1st every year.

 

[DaisyCutter]

Negotiations have broken off?

I posted this on its own thread, but yes, negotiations have broken off. Per MJ this morning.

Also, MJ reported that Pace's agents hadn't heard from Graves since November, when they offered him a deal comperable to what they gave to Hayes and Dockett.

I guess if the stated goal of this offseason were to work on keeping our young core of talent together, and we lost another first-round pick, how successful can Graves really spin this offseason as being?

 

[cardsfanmd]

I guess if the stated goal of this offseason were to work on keeping our young core of talent together, and we lost another first-round pick, how successful can Graves really spin this offseason as being?

Couple that with the fact we are going to be wasting another 5 million again this year (Fitz-last year it was Holt) and Graves has some explaining to do. I almost cant wait to hear his supporters next after we give Fitz the greatest contract in history, lose Dansby and go through camp without Dockett, Q and maybe even Wilson.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Couple that with the fact we are going to be wasting another 5 million again this year (Fitz-last year it was Holt) and Graves has some explaining to do. I almost cant wait to hear his supporters next after we give Fitz the greatest contract in history, lose Dansby and go through camp without Dockett, Q and maybe even Wilson.

Yep, I will consider this offseason a failure if we do not either resign Dansby, or restructure Fitz.

 

[Duckjake]

I posted this on its own thread, but yes, negotiations have broken off. Per MJ this morning.

Also, MJ reported that Pace's agents hadn't heard from Graves since November, when they offered him a deal comperable to what they gave to Hayes and Dockett.

I guess if the stated goal of this offseason were to work on keeping our young core of talent together, and we lost another first-round pick, how successful can Graves really spin this offseason as being?

The Indianapolis Colts still have every first round selection since 1999 save one on their roster. That one guy. Our own Edgerrin James. Overall they still have 10 of their last 12 dating back to 1996. No wonder they win 12 games every year.

 

[Skkorpion]

Negotiations have broken off?

That was just my opinion based on analyzing the process. It became pretty clear to me, at least, that once Fitz had taken away our incentive to redo his contract, there would be no further reason for the Cards to give in to his pressure.

We no longer need to free up CAP to play in free agency, have already stated we can bear his one year cap hit, so Fitz dictated the outcome his way and we move on.

In my opinion, Fitz wants to leave and/or test the FA market. More power to him.

If I'm wrong, we'll extend him next off-season. But there is no incentive for us to deal this year. So we won't.

 

[cardsfanmd]

That was just my opinion based on analyzing the process. It became pretty clear to me, at least, that once Fitz had taken away our incentive to redo his contract, there would be no further reason for the Cards to give in to his pressure.

We no longer need to free up CAP to play in free agency, have already stated we can bear his one year cap hit, so Fitz dictated the outcome his way and we move on.

In my opinion, Fitz wants to leave and/or test the FA market. More power to him.

If I'm wrong, we'll extend him next off-season. But there is no incentive for us to deal this year. So we won't.

When do you think Graves will start trying to work something out with Dansby?

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Yep, I will consider this offseason a failure if we do not either resign Dansby, or restructure Fitz.

Without a doubt.

I am on that train 100%.

I am more concerned about Dansby than anything. The guy is a game changer. (changer is totally not a word but you get the picture)

 

[AZCB34]

When do you think Graves will start trying to work something out with Dansby?

he will start two days before free agency starts next year and then wonder why Dansby hits the FA market. Don't you see the continuing trend?

 

[cardsfanmd]

Hows about we just give Larry to the Eagles so long as they agree to take RG off our hands?

 

[cardsfanmd]

Without a doubt.

I am on that train 100%.

I am more concerned about Dansby than anything. The guy is a game changer. (changer is totally not a word but you get the picture)

he will start two days before free agency starts next year and then wonder why Dansby hits the FA market. Don't you see the continuing trend?

Dansby is already gone IMO, I was just curious as to what Skkorp thought.

 

[Stout]

Hows about we just give Larry to the Eagles so long as they agree to take RG off our hands?

C'mon, I thought we were going to stop with the ridiculous trade ideas? The Eagles would NEVER do that deal

 

[cardsfanmd]

C'mon, I thought we were going to stop with the ridiculous trade ideas? The Eagles would NEVER do that deal

What was I thinking???

 

[40yearfan]

he will start two days before free agency starts next year and then wonder why Dansby hits the FA market. Don't you see the continuing trend?

Just like he did with Boldin, Hayes, Dockett and Warner.

 

[JC_AZ]

Consider this... just a realistic perspective!

http://sports.myway.com/news/03052008/v2728.html

GOLDBERG on FOOTBALL: Free-agent Market Isn't What It Seems

You must be registered for see images

[FONT=Verdana,Sans-Serif]Email this Story[/FONT]Mar 5, 3:38 PM (ET)

By DAVE GOLDBERG

[FONT=verdana,sans-serif]Before free agency started a week ago, Tennessee general manager Mike Reinfeldt suggested that in a market filled mostly with midlevel players, the best strategy would be to sit back and let things settle down.
After the Titans lost five players and signed just tight end Alge Crumpler, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth begged to differ.
"We are not doing anything. We are really just making ourselves worse the way I look at it," Haynesworth, protected as the Titans' franchise player, told The Tennessean. "It doesn't look like we're trying to get better."
Haynesworth, like countless impatient fans around the country, might be better off heeding his GM's words and waiting. Because, for the most part, the first week of free agency has been marked by teams overpaying players who are average, slightly better than that or over the hill.
Exhibit A: The New York Jets, who are trying to compete in their division with New England and in their region with the Super Bowl champion Giants.
They guaranteed $21 million to G Alan Faneca; $20 million to DE/LB Calvin Pace; and signed OL Damien Woody to a five-year, $25 million deal. They also traded for DT Kris Jenkins, an overweight underachiever in Carolina the past two seasons and renegotiated his deal to give him $20 million straight up.
Finally, they traded LB Jonathan Vilma, a Pro Bowler just two seasons ago, to New Orleans for just a fourth-round pick and left DT Dewayne Robertson, the fourth overall pick in the 2003 draft, in limbo because neither fits Eric Mangini's 3-4 defense.
Exhibit B: Cincinnati, Arizona and St. Louis. Those three clubs threw $91 million at three of Haynesworth's ex-teammates - DEs Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy and G Jacob Bell. OK players all, but just OK - Odom and LaBoy benefited by playing on a line with Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch.
Exhibit C: San Francisco, which apparently didn't learn after signing CB Nate Clements to an $80 million deal last year and finishing 5-11. This time they guaranteed $20 million to "pass rusher" Justin Smith, the fourth overall pick in the 2001 draft, but a guy who had just 43½ sacks in seven seasons with the Bengals.
Those teams should consider that the Giants, Colts, Steelers and Patriots, the last four Super Bowl winners, have been moderate free-agent players at best.
Last year the Giants signed just one, linebacker Kawika Mitchell, for $1 million for one year. He played well, but so did six of the eight draft choices who made the team, including fifth-round TE Kevin Boss and seventh-round RB Ahmad Bradshaw, who along with CB Aaron Ross, WR Steve Smith and DT Jay Alford all had big plays in the Super Bowl.
Mitchell was allowed to leave for Buffalo this year, in part because the Giants think LB Gerris Wilkinson, a third-rounder in 2006, has long-term potential. New York also lost S Gibril Wilson to Oakland for $16 million in guaranteed money and replaced him with veteran Sammy Knight for about $14.5 million less, figuring the on-field difference isn't that great for a short-term fix with youngster Michael Johnson in the wings.
The Giants have spent in the past for productive free agents: WR Plaxico Burress, LB Antonio Pierce, C Shaun O'Hara and OT Kareem McKenzie.
But all came for reasonable amounts and most of the time New York prefers to pay its own players.
The Giants have extended Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Jeremy Shockey and O'Hara. They'll probably do the same for Pierce and Burress and at some point will pay more than $30 million in guaranteed money to Eli Manning.
The Steelers spent their money for QB Ben Roethlisberger, a $36 million guarantee. That meant they had to let Faneca go, leaving a hole in a shaky offensive line. But they rationalized it because he's 31 and may have slipped a bit. They also let Burress leave after the 2004 season, perhaps a mistake because he's matured into a more consistent and disciplined player with the Giants.
New England, the dominant team of this decade, has never been afraid to let key players go, the main exhibits being WRs Deion Branch and David Givens. This year it was CBs Asante Samuel and Randall Gay. Samuel, considered the premier free agent on the market, got $57 million with a $20 million guarantee from the Eagles.
Indianapolis rarely signs free agents but lets plenty go. Last year, the Colts lost four defensive starters, yet the defense improved. This year, they re-signed S Bob Sanders, the defensive player of the year, TE Dallas Clark and G Ryan Lilja, then called it a day.
Some teams making big splashes with free agency seem to be doing it for publicity.
Jets GM Mike Tannebaum, who said a year ago "our core philosophy is building through the draft" now seems to have alienated some his remaining stars by throwing money around.
But he seems to have decided that he has to because of the Patriots and Giants, who have made the Jets almost invisible in their own area.
Samuel's signing wasn't out of character for the Eagles, who in the past have added the now departed Terrell Owens and Jevon Kearse. But they needed a wide receiver more than a cornerback and their flirtation with Randy Moss seems to have been done with the halfhearted knowledge that he would stay in Foxborough.
Still, a team that generally builds in all the right ways, needed some love.
After all, the Eagles play in a division with the Super Bowl winner and the team that had the NFC's best record (and T.O.) last season. And the media in Philadelphia, especially talk radio, are all Eagles all the time. Most of the other teams that spent millions for mediocrity don't have that excuse.
[/FONT]

 

[cardsfanmd]

Just like he did with Boldin, Hayes, Dockett and Warner.

C'mon, you gotta do better than that.

Hayes was coming of injuries, Dockett and Boldin weren't FAs and Warner wasn't any type of hot commodity.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Dansby is already gone IMO, I was just curious as to what Skkorp thought.

No offense but I take that with a grain of salt. At this point I don't think there is a player that you don't think it is going to leave next year.

Dansby will be signed long term this year or before next.

Sucking lemons about every move the Cardinals make is just getting annoying.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Is Joe Montana still available ?

He good he is.

 

[DaisyCutter]

WOW!

All I have to say is wow.

I agree that it's a negative attitude, but he's correct on this point. When Graves extended Boldin, Hayes, and Dockett, he was negotiating from a position of strength. Boldin still had two years on his original deal. He could sulk and skip camp, or take the generous offer the Cards extended to him. Gerald Hayes had ended two consecutive seasons on injured reserve and the Cards were actively shopping for his replacement. Dockett was entering an RFA year and playing for minimum salaries as a 3rd round pick. Warner was the definition of washed up and lost his job due to poor play two years running.

Graves is a good negotiator when working from a position of strength. It's when his back is against the wall (with first round picks, and in the cases of Fitz, Pace, and Dansby, with players who know that they have value on the open market) that you have to worry about his competence.

 

[AZCB34]

Just like he did with Boldin, Hayes, Dockett and Warner.

It was a joke relating to the lateness of trying to get Fitz' deal done when he had a couple months to work on it.

I apologize to Rod for questioning the nature of his competence and greatness. Obviously, we will look back on this era of Cardinals FO management with fondness and a strong sense of appreciation for the high quality of work done.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I like icecream!

 

[Skkorpion]

Rugby, I know from experience if you turn this around and attack and ridicule the Bears front office, Azcb34 gets very insulted and defensive. He likes to dish it out but not take it, as do most of us.

The points are these. We all need to back off the overuse of sarcasm to make our points on ASFN. And we need to have some faith that Whisenhunt knows what he's doing, at least until he proves otherwise.