You think you can do better? Tell me your plan.

[RugbyMuffin]

Waste of time.

The Cardinals suck. There is no reason to root for them cause they are horrible.

 

[azsouthendzone]

As a fake Cowboys fan, I would say this: Until Bidwill sells the team to Colangelo, they will never win. We should have waited for an expansion team.

As a Cardinals fan I will say this: Every team deals with peaks and valleys, unfortunately we deal with more valleys. Anyone who has spent any time with the team knows the drill. If you can't take the mess then just pull the chute.

 

[abomb]

The average fan has little to no understanding of the NFL's complicated salary cap, so the majority of suggestions are not only unrealistic, but impossible.

 

[Russ Smith]

My plan is simple, it's the Costanza plan. The Cards have been bad for so long from now on just do the opposite of what they think is right. If they think trading Fitz is the right move, give him the money, if they think giving him the money is right, trade him.

 

[abomb]

My plan is simple, it's the Costanza plan. The Cards have been bad for so long from now on just do the opposite of what they think is right. If they think trading Fitz is the right move, give him the money, if they think giving him the money is right, trade him.

 

[Buckybird]

I cannot believe the attitude on this board. Talk about sucking lemons. If the Cardinals are SO bad then please inform people like myself that see a good solid team that is coming together what the Cardinals should be doing differently.

And any two bit idiot like myself can write a two sentence wise ass remark.

I have seen nothing but negativity about everything. Some make it seem like the entire team is going to leave by next year and we will be left with no players, no cap room, and a pair of cleats.

All those who have spent there days labasting the Cardinals every move please tell us how to properly turn this team around. I am DYING to know.

Agree with you man, every year this time it happens. This team is on the verge, closer to a championship than any other day in my lifetime, other than the early '70's. This is the reason (Graves and ownership) have to give Fitz his money!!! Take him away, and Q can be doubled and shut down. Do we need a legit speed threat at the WR position? Yes. We also need another young stud on the oline. Leinart will be a star!!! Write it down. Add a top flight RB with speed and this offense is set. The defense is young and solid. A stud pass rusher is needed at the DE or LB position. LB'ers and the CB's are solid at the starters. Can Rolle play the FS position? If he can, he takes the defense to a new level. The D line is young and talented, and can be spectular if the two young kids from Michigan continue to develop. The defense is only as good as the pass rush, draft one!!! The only criticism I have for the Cards and their future is the GM, Rod Graves. Questionable contracts and draft picks have been his calling card since his arrival. If he trades Fitz, I believe it could cause all kinds of internal problems with the players and be the demise of a promising coach. As you say Rugby, everyone has their opinions and the negativity on this board is at an all-time high. The Cards are on the verge fans!!! Now, Rod it's time for you to do what you promised the fans. Keep the core of your team and young talent together.

 

[azsouthendzone]

Agree with you man, every year this time it happens.

What happens? Bad FA signings, bad draft picks ect? I agree. It happens almost every year and in december the result is generally the same. I'm just hoping for one good run in my lifetime.

 

[Gee!]

You think you can do better? Tell me your plan.

I'd shave Fitz's head.. He's always looked like an artsy fartsy type to me.. Plus he'd be more streamlined and humidity wouldnt let his hair pull him outta bounds in humid places like Tampa Bay..

Yup.. Thats my offseason plan.. Shave Fitz's head..

 

[DaisyCutter]

You're not making this easy, but I'll give it a shot...

Fitz's new contract (I can't account for the cap impact of accelerated rookie bonuses, so the math is going to be somewhat wrong on this):

5 years, $10 million signing bonus

2008: $10 million roster bonus, $1.75 million salary, $2 million SB pro-rated Total Cap Charge: $13.75 million
2009: $10 million roster bonus, $2 million salary, $2 million SB pro-rated Total Cap Charge: $14 million
2010: $1 million workout bonus, $2 million salary, $2 million SB pro-rated Total Cap Charge: $5 million
2011: $1 million workout bonus, $4 million salary, $2 million SB pro-rated Total Cap Charge: $6 million
2012: $3 million roster bonus, $6 million salary, $2 million SB pro-rated Total Cap Charge: $11 million

Larry and Eugene Parker can claim that they negotiated a 5 year contract worth over $60 million dollars, $35 million guaranteed. The cap charge for 2008 isn't reduced much, but at this point they don't need to reduce the cap charge. Fitz gets over $33 million in the first two years of the deal. The Cards get minor cap relief in 2009 but get the bulk of the contract off the book by 2010 when Anquan Boldin can get his. This is a deal that Fitz and the team can deal with for the life of the contract.

These are obviously terms that are more favorable to Parker and Fitz. Let me see if I can re-do the numbers to what would make the Cards a little happier.

 

[dogpoo32]

I'd shave Fitz's head.. He's always looked like an artsy fartsy type to me.. Plus he'd be more streamlined and humidity wouldnt let his hair pull him outta bounds in humid places like Tampa Bay..

Yup.. Thats my offseason plan.. Shave Fitz's head..

Makes more sense than my plan of trading him to Pottsville in exchange for forgiveness.

 

[DaisyCutter]

Better for this year, perhaps, for the Cards

5 years, $15 million signing bonus

2008: $6 million roster bonus, $1.75 million salary, $3 million SB pro-rated Total Cap Charge: $10.75 million
2009: $8 million roster bonus, $2 million salary, $500K workout bonus, $3 million SB pro-rated Total Cap Charge: $13.5 million
2010: $1 million roster bonus, $2 million salary, $500K workout bonus, $3 million SB pro-rated Total Cap Charge: $6.5 million
2011: $1 million roster bonus, $4 million salary, $500K workout bonus, $3 million SB pro-rated Total Cap Charge: $8.5 million
2012: $3 million roster bonus, $6 million salary, $500K workout bonus, $3 million SB pro-rated Total Cap Charge: $12.5 million

Larry Fitzgerald and Eugene Parker can tell the press they got 5 years, $51.75 million, with $36 million guaranteed. Fitz will get $33.5 million in the first two years of the contract. With the savings from Fitz's deal, the Cards can re-sign Karlos Dansby in-season, and they'll have some added cap flexibility next year. The interesting thing is that the Cards could be happy with this contract going into 2012, when $12.5 million for one of the Top 5 WRs in the NFL may seem like a value.

I wanna see if I can think this through one more way that would give the Cards better cap flexibility (which they're looking for), but also force them back to the table before 2012 (which is what Parker is really looking for)...

 

[DaisyCutter]

5 years, $15 million signing bonus

2008: $5 million roster bonus, $1 million salary, $3 million SB pro-rated Total Cap Charge: $9 million
2009: $5 million roster bonus, $3 million salary, $500K workout bonus, $3 million SB pro-rated Total Cap Charge: $10.5 million
2010: $3 million roster bonus, $3 million salary, $500K workout bonus, $3 million SB pro-rated Total Cap Charge: $9.5 million
2011: $1 million roster bonus, $5 million salary, $500K workout bonus, $3 million SB pro-rated Total Cap Charge: $9.5 million
2012: $5 million roster bonus, $9 million salary, $500K workout bonus, $3 million SB pro-rated Total Cap Charge: $17.5 million

Total value is 5 years, $57 million. $36 million guaranteed. Fitz gets $29.5 million in the first two years of the contract. Cards get good cap flexibility, and aren't going to pay $5.5 million of the so-called "guaranteed" money, because there's no way they're going to pay a $5 million roster bonus.

Also, there will be cap room to sign Dansby in season and get to work on a couple other players. Fitz will get a chance to sign another big contract before he turns 30, either with the Cards or they'll release him.

 

[HookemCards]

I cannot believe the attitude on this board. Talk about sucking lemons. If the Cardinals are SO bad then please inform people like myself that see a good solid team that is coming together what the Cardinals should be doing differently.

And any two bit idiot like myself can write a two sentence wise ass remark.

I have seen nothing but negativity about everything. Some make it seem like the entire team is going to leave by next year and we will be left with no players, no cap room, and a pair of cleats.

All those who have spent there days labasting the Cardinals every move please tell us how to properly turn this team around. I am DYING to know.

It all starts with getting Fitz's cap number resolved one way or another. If you want to resign him......GET IT DONE. If you want to trade him......GET IT DONE. I still think we need a nickle back, DE, and either OT or G in FA, so once you get Fitz's 17 mil off the books, extend Gandy to lower his cap number to about 4, cut Shipp, restructure Warner. You will have roughly 15mil to play with. Bring in Marquez Douglas at DE, Rex Hadnot or Jake Scott at OG, Hank Poteet or William James CB.

Draft
Rd 1. Mendenhall, RB; Merling or Harvey, OLB; Chromartie or Jenkins CB
Rd 2. Charles or Johnson, RB; Groves or Jones, OLB; Lee or Cason, CB
Rd 3. Hills or Collins, OT; Godfrey or Porter, CB; Crable, OLB
Rd 4. Blake OLB, Ikegwuonu CB, Jackson or Franklin, WR
Rd 5. Brooks, P
Rd 6. Best OG available
Rd 7. BPA

 

[Gee!]

Some make it seem like the entire team is going to leave by next year and we will be left with no players, no cap room, and a pair of cleats.

What kind of cleats?

 

[RugbyMuffin]

What kind of cleats?

Converse cleats from 19 dickity 6

 

[SECTION 11]

I'd make better draft picks and better free agent pick ups. But that's about it.

 

[lobo]

Fitz's new contract (I can't account for the cap impact of accelerated rookie bonuses, so the math is going to be somewhat wrong on this):


These are obviously terms that are more favorable to Parker and Fitz. Let me see if I can re-do the numbers to what would make the Cards a little happier.

You win the Oscar for best try. I gotta' assume someone somewhere wearing a dark suit has run the numbers just like you did, and shared the with Parker......if something does get done it won't look too much different than the scenario you projected. Good try!!.

I forgot his name, I think it was Idzik, who was our "capologist...was he around for this?

 

[slanidrac16]

I cannot believe the attitude on this board. Talk about sucking lemons. If the Cardinals are SO bad then please inform people like myself that see a good solid team that is coming together what the Cardinals should be doing differently.

And any two bit idiot like myself can write a two sentence wise ass remark.

I have seen nothing but negativity about everything. Some make it seem like the entire team is going to leave by next year and we will be left with no players, no cap room, and a pair of cleats.

All those who have spent there days labasting the Cardinals every move please tell us how to properly turn this team around. I am DYING to know.

I agree with you RM. THis is the first time that I can ever remember going into free agency that we did not need a boat load of players to fill all the holes.
Yes, I would like to see the Fitz situation settled but it's not like we have to cut half of our starters to accomodate his salary.
We've replaced to a degree the only player we lost. Kudos by the way for the Cards not paying Pace anything near what he got.
I think a year together, with the same system, coaches and players, and whatever we add thru the draft can put this team into the playoffs.

 

[Skkorpion]

I'd make better draft picks and better free agent pick ups. But that's about it.

Sarcasm has a place. Constantly overusing it is ruining this board.

I'm not aiming this at you but at the few who have taken to ruining every thread by twisting every subject into an opportunity to outdo each other in sarcastic shots at Graves.

It is past time to unpoison the posts.

 

[cardsfanmd]

I know this thread was dedicated to me so the least I can do is show my face.

Frankly I am tired of discussing all of this. I am gonna just do what you do from now on Rugby. I will blindly (and hopefully drunkenly) support everything this team does no matter what. When fans of other successfull teams ask why my team is having a hard time I will call them idiots and say that there team (which owns us every year) sucks and is worthless. I will make myself look really childish and naive.

Then I will rinse and repeat.

 

[dogpoo32]

I know this thread was dedicated to me so the least I can do is show my face.

Frankly I am tired of discussing all of this. I am gonna just do what you do from now on Rugby. I will blindly (and hopefully drunkenly) support everything this team does no matter what. When fans of other successfull teams ask why my team is having a hard time I will call them idiots and say that there team (which owns us every year) sucks and is worthless. I will make myself look really childish and naive.

Then I will rinse and repeat.

You are about my age... I think.

I have spent many an angry, flat out pissed offed day after a loss. Much like every single one of us has. It is this absolute anger that is derived from loving something so much that does not love you back. The management does the same ol' crap every single year. It may not be the same circumstances, and it may not be the same people but one thing remains. We lose. We lose because nothing changes. Someone high up on the totem pole screws something up somehow.

I realize so many people are older than us. I can't help that and neither can they. Being a fan for a longer period means absolutely nothing. That means you have accepted defeat longer than I have. I love this team as much as a human being can love something that they can't control. In saying that, we as fans have a voice. You cannot tell me that an 8-8 season automatically means we are on course for greatness. We can just as easily be 6-10 next year. Demanding a change in ways does not make us less loyal.

We, as fans, have a voice. Criticizing people for their opinions is asinine, and has become commonplace here. Sure, you wise-guys think you know it all, and you may. But track record is what counts. I will love the Arizona Cardinals until the day that I die. Calling people out for their beliefs and their opinions only shows a complacency and acceptance of failure. We all want a winner. We all have our own opinion on how that will come to fruition. Accept the fact that until OUR organization figures out how the NFL works and how to win, that we will disagree. ********* give me another drink.

 

[40yearfan]

You are about my age... I think.

I have spent many an angry, flat out pissed offed day after a loss. Much like every single one of us has. It is this absolute anger that is derived from loving something so much that does not love you back. The management does the same ol' crap every single year. It may not be the same circumstances, and it may not be the same people but one thing remains. We lose. We lose because nothing changes. Someone high up on the totem pole screws something up somehow.

I realize so many people are older than us. I can't help that and neither can they. Being a fan for a longer period means absolutely nothing. That means you have accepted defeat longer than I have. I love this team as much as a human being can love something that they can't control. In saying that, we as fans have a voice. You cannot tell me that an 8-8 season automatically means we are on course for greatness. We can just as easily be 6-10 next year. Demanding a change in ways does not make us less loyal.

We, as fans, have a voice. Criticizing people for their opinions is asinine, and has become commonplace here. Sure, you wise-guys think you know it all, and you may. But track record is what counts. I will love the Arizona Cardinals until the day that I die. Calling people out for their beliefs and their opinions only shows a complacency and acceptance of failure. We all want a winner. We all have our own opinion on how that will come to fruition. Accept the fact that until OUR organization figures out how the NFL works and how to win, that we will disagree. ********* give me another drink.

The problem is that you guys refuse to admit that the Cards have changed. They are keeping and extending their core players, they've hired a very good coach and coaching staff and they finally had a season where they won at least half of their games.

Regardless of how you want to look at it, this team has improved. It ain't the same old Cardinals and we get tired of hearing from some posters stating that is still is the same old same old. You can complain and bitch all you want, but at least acknowledge that strides have been made.

You guys asked for more wins last year and they went out and got them even considering we had a brand new coach, a new system and more injuries than most other NFL teams. Now if that doesn't tell you about the caliber of player on this team, then there is nothing more to say.

 

[Gee!]

********* give me another drink.

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[LoyaltyisaCurse]

My plan is simple, it's the Costanza plan. The Cards have been bad for so long from now on just do the opposite of what they think is right. If they think trading Fitz is the right move, give him the money, if they think giving him the money is right, trade him.

I like it: The opposite of Graves!!!

 

[Gee!]

My plan is simple, it's the Costanza plan. The Cards have been bad for so long from now on just do the opposite of what they think is right. If they think trading Fitz is the right move, give him the money, if they think giving him the money is right, trade him.

I like it: The opposite of Graves!!!

You guys do realize if we did everything the exact opposite of Graves this past year our record would still be 8-8 right?