Larry Fitzgerald isn't going anywhere

by JasonB on Jan 11, 2008 12:41 PM EST in Philadelphia Eagles News

Not happening

My intention is not to be overtly negative or to dash Eagles fans hopes... but I do feel the need to be real. A couple of weeks ago I talked about how I didn't understand all the Chad Johnson talk I was hearing from Eagles fans on radio/web/tv.

The new superstar WR name that I'm hearing on the lips of Eagles fans is now Larry Fitzgerald from Arizona.

First, let's just figure out the genesis of the Larry Fitzgerald "rumors." After having a huge 2007 Fitzgerald reached certain incentives in his contract that Arizona probably never thought he would. He caught over 100 balls, he made the pro bowl and is now owed around $14.6 mil next year and a staggering $17.3 million in 2009. Now those numbers are obviously tough to fit under your cap. So someone must have figured that since he was owed so much money and since the Cards had other guys they need to sign this offseason(I believe they only have 33 guys signed for next year) that they would look trade Fitzgerald.

Here's why that makes no sense. No team is going to swallow that cap hit over the next two years. Any team that would trade for Fitzgerald would do so under the assumption that they'd re-do his contract and give him a long term extension... which is all the Cardinals plan to do.

this, in turn, means the Cardinals are seeking a new long-term contract with Fitzgerald.

"When we did his contract as a rookie, we knew that if he were a spectacular player -- which he has been -- that, we could be faced with what looks like a four-year deal (instead of six years)," general manager Rod Graves said.

"There's certainly an opportunity for us to live with his number. But it's such a huge number that it makes sense for us to sit down and see if we can work out a deal, not only to extend his future here, but to make it more palatable for us."

Graves has begun talks with Eugene Parker, Fitzgerald's agent. Parker could not be reached for his comment.

Again, this is no different than what any team would have to if they had Fitzgerald on their team. There's apparently been some speculation as to whether Fitzgerald wants to stay in Arizona or go to play in his native Minnesota...

"I like it here. I enjoy being here. I enjoy working here. I enjoy everything.
"As long as Arizona wants me here, I'll be here. If they don't want me here, then I gotta find somewhere else to go," he(Fitzgerald) said.

What about when his contract is up in two more seasons?

"I would love to stay here. I would love to play here for my entire career. It's a great place. But if they don't want me, then I have to go."
The Cardinals want him, for sure.

The article then goes on to quote coaches and front office people singing his praises. In another article Cardinals' GM Rod Graves basically quashed any all speculation.

Fitzgerald had been the subject of trade rumors, but general manager Rod Graves laughed when I asked him about that. "That's not going to happen," Graves said. "Larry is the kind of player we feel we can build a championship with." Graves said the Cardinals would make it a priority to sign Fitzgerald to an extension in the off-season.

The simple fact is that this guy is one of the best young receivers in the game who has every tool you look for in a big time playmaker. There's no conceivable reason that the Cardinals would look to trade a guy like that. I'm pretty certain that Chad Johnson isn't getting traded this offseason, but I am 100% certain that Larry Fitzgerald isn't. There are some real options at WR out there but Larry Fitzgerald is not one of them.

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Fitz

I have been plugging Fitzgerald's name into the discussion for some time, using the exact reasons you have for his potential availability.

Your post is very well done, but I still don't think this is "case closed".

Everyone agrees that Fitzgerald's cap number is unmanageable. Everyone agrees that they would like to negotiate a new contract.

That's the easy part. The hard part is actually doing it.

Look, Fitzgerald may very well end up signing a new deal and playing his entire career in Arizona. By all accounts he is a decent guy and the Cardinals are right when they can build around him.

But these type of situations can get difficult, especially when one side has a ton of leverage -- Fitzgerald just had a MONSTER year -- and the other side, the Cardinals, have some serious holes to fill, important players to re-sign (Dansby) and others who want to renegotiate (Wilson, possibly Boldin).

by BFH on Jan 11, 2008 1:05 PM EST reply actions

Well...

This is the thing though. Fitzgerald has no more leverage over the Cards than he does anywhere. That contract is going to have to be re-worked no matter where he goes. So why wouldn't the Cards do it? I believe they are right at the top of the league as far as cap room(although that's kinda misleading).

I understand that the Cards have a lot of people to sign. I think they may have the least amount of players signed for next year than any other team? The thing is, Fitzgerald is one of those important guys there. I know Dansby is and Wilson is... but Fitz is just as important to them as anyone. If it came down to letting Dansby walk or keeping Fitz, what would you do? I don't even have to think twice. I take the big, young stud WR.

I'd be lined up at the store at 6am to get my Fitzgerald jersey if he ever became an Eagle... but I just don't see any way he's going anywhere.

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by JasonB on Jan 11, 2008 2:41 PM EST up reply actions

That's interesting

In my mind the Cardinals could lose Fitzgerald and still have an offense that has weapons enough to put up points -- (Boldin, Edge, Pope is an emerging TE).

They couldn't afford to lose both Bryant Johnson and Fitzgerald, though.

They still need OL help, and that QB position is an issue.

But if they want their defense to continue to improve, they really can't lose Dansby. From a "who do you need more to win" perspective, I think they need Dansby. He would be mentioned as much as Lance Briggs if he played on the East Coast.

They've got a talented, young defense that has a chance to be very good (Rod Hood, Dansby, Dockett, Rolle, Wilson) -- but it will hurt bad if they lose Dansby.

That being said, from a fans' perspective (are there Cardinals' fans?) losing Fitzgerald would be devastating. And the Cardinals can't afford to piss off anyone who pays for tickets.

by BFH on Jan 11, 2008 2:55 PM EST up reply actions

More...

Another Cardinals free agent is set to hit the open market -- Bryant Johnson.

He's interesting -- still young at 26, a big guy at 6'3" and 215, but completely overshadowed by his two Pro-Bowl teammates.

He has been the 3rd wide receiver and has caught 40 or more passes the last four seasons.

Wes Welker's season has completely changed the way teams look at a slot receiver's numbers -- but should that be considered a special case?

And if so, is Johnson worth a look? He's basically Hank Baskett, except... you know... productive.

Could he be more?

by BFH on Jan 11, 2008 2:12 PM EST reply actions

He's an interesting name

You could argue that there's potential there. The problem is, would he even start over Reggie Brown? If not, I'd just as soon as draft a kid or hope for Avant or Baskett to step up.

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by JasonB on Jan 11, 2008 2:33 PM EST up reply actions

Dif from Baskett

Johnson is almost as fast as Curtis... He's sort of like Curtis, actually, except taller, not quite as fast, and not as exact a route runner, and I don't think he's got as good hands as Curtis. The height thing, though... Combined with his speed, if he solves those problems (and Curtis being good at those things, he could help Johnson out), he has #1 WR tools.

by Alon on Jan 14, 2008 4:25 PM EST up reply actions

There is a chance though,

"I understand that the Cards have a lot of people to sign. I think they may have the least amount of players signed for next year than any other team? The thing is, Fitzgerald is one of those important guys there. I know Dansby is and Wilson is... but Fitz is just as important to them as anyone. If it came down to letting Dansby walk or keeping Fitz, what would you do? I don't even have to think twice. I take the big, young stud WR"

You understand that it still is an open case. I think that we should just chill and see what happens. Knowing the Eagles they wouldn't even sign him if he was aval. But we should be optomistic about it because we do need a playmaker to help Bwest.

by topcat6 on Jan 11, 2008 3:43 PM EST reply actions

How open?

He's still under contract for 2 years. The Cards already have said he's not going anywhere. They're working on a long term deal with him. I don't see how it's an open case at all.

I wanna be optimistic, but realistic as well. I've seen nothing that says Fitzgerald could be had.

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by JasonB on Jan 11, 2008 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

Yes

And I think it's fair to think there could be an opportunity there.

If the Cards MUST renegotiate his contract going into next season, why wouldn't Fitzgerald ask for a massive deal? He's worth it. I don't know much about his agent, but if he's as big an SOB as say... Tom Condon or Rosenhaus, I imagine things could get difficult.

If I were the Eagles, or anyone else, I'd at least stay tuned.

by BFH on Jan 11, 2008 4:13 PM EST up reply actions

Larry getting traded isnt that out of the question

I assume management would notice that without Fitz ARi still has a very lethal passing game and would use the cap Fitz would take up on a more pressing neeed.

Alan Faneca + Ken Whisenhunt anyone!?

by JoeD on Jan 11, 2008 10:14 PM EST reply actions

What if he don't want to be in AZ?

Has anyone thought about Fitz's connection to PA? He went to Pitt. He went to Prep school at Valley Forge I think that the name of it, but it's a local in between college and High school military school that Eddie George also went to. What if he don't want to be in Az?

He could tell his agent no long term deal... Then they would have to pay him or cut or trade him. That's pretty simple if you ask me. AZ will not pay 15 Million for a player they can't so Fitz has all the leverage. He can pick and choose.

Plus Leinert is corny as shit. Warner is too old that effects the decision as well.

I think that is a realistic scenario...

by topcat6 on Jan 12, 2008 3:49 AM EST reply actions

Fitz and Pacman

saw an article here
http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/KentSomers/14416

it's mostly about the possibility of Suggs going to the Cards but it has a staement at the end about renegotiating Fitz's contract.

also spotted a blurb about something that was brought up here during the season, trading for Pacman Jones its at the end of the story about the possibility of Heckert leaving. see that here

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20080111_Paul_Domowitch__Sources__Heckert_favorite_to_be_Falc ons_GM.html

so i'm all for getting Pacman for say a 5th rounder maybe as high as fourth any thoughts?

by Buckwampum Birds Fan on Jan 12, 2008 4:05 AM EST reply actions

Wait for him to get cut!

You don't want to waste picks trading for Fitzgerald and inheriting his terrible contract. Wait for the Cardinals to be forced to cut him because of the cap and other needs. Otherwise, there's better things to spend money on than overpaying for a wideout.

by Andrew @ Bleeding Green Nation on Jan 12, 2008 9:52 AM EST reply actions

Mahe is soo good we could never cut him...

A real PR? No way, Reid would rather have Reno Mahe or G Lewis taking a roster spot instead of trying to get a playmaker.

Oh Pacman could be a distraction? Ohh well nevermind. Who cares about on the field production anyway..... Look at Randy Moss, a good Tuff Coach took care of his dumb ass easy. Not a bitch ass coach like Denny Green or Andy Reid. We need a GM that can just walk into the locker room and the players know that they have to keep their shit on point or he will waive their asses...

Not here though that would be too much.

by topcat6 on Jan 12, 2008 10:13 PM EST reply actions

I agree

I think he's worth the risk.

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by JasonB on Jan 13, 2008 9:07 AM EST up reply actions

Home

Remind me again where Larry Fitzgerald, Chad Johnson, TO, Steve Smith, Javon Walker, Eric Moulds, Reggie Wayne, and all these other wideouts who will "take us to the Super Bowl" we've lusted after as Eagles fans are right now?

Oh, that's right, ATC - sitting home At The Crib.

If they haven't done it where they are at now, why will they do it here?

by Andrew @ Bleeding Green Nation on Jan 13, 2008 9:56 PM EST reply actions