Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
I haven't posted in the Shark Pool since probably before Christmas. And there is a variety of reasons but quite frankly I just have not been juiced about much as of late. I have a book of sorts I am putting together(it's not really a book), but every once in awhile my dander goes up about 29 notches when I scan and read articles...and i read everything. I won't pimp any other sites out there but several exist where you can rapidly click on local newspapers fro all 32 NFL teams, great sources for everything.
So I roll onto Sportsline...and let me just say that Sportsline like a lot of sites is a Johnny come lately on many of the columns they put up. I read some 24-48 hours a go that Fitzgerald and his contract were potentially hurting the AZ Cardinals. But the reality of the whole situation is that they put that contract in place and since we are always mad at players for not honoring contracts, shouldn't we hold the oranizations responsible for holding up their end of the deal? Example, the Miami Dolphins parted ways with Zach Thomas...sad for us Phinsfans but at the same time they gave him ample opp to find a new team and maybe a chance to play for a contender, as a player and a fan I don't think the Miami Dolphins could have handled it any better...for once in a long long time they got something right. And they even took a full page add out in the Miami Herald thanking Zach for all of his workd over the 12 years he has been in Miami.
So before even discussing Fitz and his cap number, I have to say that I support the player in this instance. Now Pete Prisco, obviously doesn't have 2 nickels to rub together and cannot fathom NFL athletes making millions of dollars, however the reality is THEY DO!!! I love people who cry about the price of homes in the posh sections of town...hey folks that's simply what the cost of those homes are, simple and end of story. People in this country get a rise out of acting stunned by what people make.
Look at what Prisco wrote:
"I'm all for players getting every cent they can. And I don't think what one player does should have an impact on what the rest of the team is doing -- that's up to the organization to make it work -- but in this case, things are a bit out of whack.
Here's why: The Cardinals have offered to make Fitzgerald the highest-paid receiver in the league as well as the highest-paid player in team history. The deal they are offering, according to a team source, would make him the third highest-paid, non-quarterback in the league.
So far, Fitzgerald and agent Eugene Parker have balked at the deal, which is leading to the showdown Friday. The Cardinals have offered Fitzgerald $25 million in guaranteed money, but he wants more than the $32.5 million in guarantees that Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson got last year. But that guaranteed money was paid on a six-year deal. Parker wants more on a four-year deal.
Offering $25 million on four years is not being cheap. How about more like being unrealistic on the part of the player? Is Fitzgerald worth that money? Of course he isn't. But who is? In the current NFL climate, where journeymen free agents will get paid, Fitzgerald deserves a new deal -- just not the outrageous numbers he's seeking."
I'm going to break this down. The part where he says "I'm all for players..." he doesn't mean a word of that. It's almost like the person that starts off by saying "With All Due Respect"...and then just rips the situation apart. The he talks about the burden being on the organization but again says this situation is different...why? Because Fitz is going to receive the escalators in his contract? The guy is 24, has had 100+ catches in 2 of his last 3 seasons, also 1400/10 TD in 2 of his last 3 seasons, the other he was injured for part of the season...guy is a 2 time Pro Bowler, your GD right he's going to be expensive!!! And now one of the most notoriuos cheapskate NFL teams is going to suddenly not be questioned about how they are going about the situation.
Yes, the AZ Cards are offering to make him one of is not the highest paid WR in the league...but guess what, he already will be making somewhere around $14-15 million no matter what the Cards decide to do. His coach has asked him to restructure but Fitz wants $32.5 million in garanteed money, Cards want to offer him $25 million. He is already supposed to collect $32+ million over the next 2 seasons so why would he sign for only $25 mill in garanteed money when he has the Cards on the hook for $32 over the next 2 seasons???
Now if you are one of the people that just cannot get over the amount of money Fitz or anyone like him is going to make and you feel that Fitz is being a whiny whatever...seriously get out of this thread. It doesn't matter what we think these players should or shouldn't make. The salary cap is about $120 million...yes it ws $70 million just a few years back so the salarys are skyrocketing as fast as the NFL ratings and money the owners are making hand over fist(which they should).
Prisco says $25 mill over 4 years isn't cheap but T.O. got $25 million over 3 years when he signed with Dallas. Shouldn't a 24 year old Fitz who is avg 100+ catches, 1,400+ yds and 10 TD in 2 of the last 3 seasons...doesn't he sort of deserve to break thru the ceiling?
Don't ask me what Randy Moss should make because I'll give you an honest answer...whatever the market will pay him, plain and simple. If the Cards don't want to pay Fitz, there are 31 other teams that will find a way to make it work. he has done well on a poor team, had many different QBs chucking him the ball, a franchise that never seems to be able to win, no matter what the reason. He might as well make as much as he can. Is the team really going to be better? I don't know the answer but if they really want to improve everywhere then maybe they should trade Fitz to another team, free up $15 million and go out and sign all these magical players that will get them over the hump. That's the picture they are painting to Fitz, that they can go out and vastly improve the team if he will restructure.
And to land the plane on Pete Prisco...he said is Fitz worth the money? Then he went on to say no one is...and to me that sums him up pretty well and I don't think he should really be writing for a major sports publication or internet site like Sportsline because he obviously doesn't understand the NFL free market. Good luck Pete...enjoy that refreshing Slurpee n Hot Dog in your '92 used Corolla on your way down to the Old Navy clearance racks and leave the big stories to the grown ups.
So I roll onto Sportsline...and let me just say that Sportsline like a lot of sites is a Johnny come lately on many of the columns they put up. I read some 24-48 hours a go that Fitzgerald and his contract were potentially hurting the AZ Cardinals. But the reality of the whole situation is that they put that contract in place and since we are always mad at players for not honoring contracts, shouldn't we hold the oranizations responsible for holding up their end of the deal? Example, the Miami Dolphins parted ways with Zach Thomas...sad for us Phinsfans but at the same time they gave him ample opp to find a new team and maybe a chance to play for a contender, as a player and a fan I don't think the Miami Dolphins could have handled it any better...for once in a long long time they got something right. And they even took a full page add out in the Miami Herald thanking Zach for all of his workd over the 12 years he has been in Miami.
So before even discussing Fitz and his cap number, I have to say that I support the player in this instance. Now Pete Prisco, obviously doesn't have 2 nickels to rub together and cannot fathom NFL athletes making millions of dollars, however the reality is THEY DO!!! I love people who cry about the price of homes in the posh sections of town...hey folks that's simply what the cost of those homes are, simple and end of story. People in this country get a rise out of acting stunned by what people make.
Look at what Prisco wrote:
"I'm all for players getting every cent they can. And I don't think what one player does should have an impact on what the rest of the team is doing -- that's up to the organization to make it work -- but in this case, things are a bit out of whack.
Here's why: The Cardinals have offered to make Fitzgerald the highest-paid receiver in the league as well as the highest-paid player in team history. The deal they are offering, according to a team source, would make him the third highest-paid, non-quarterback in the league.
So far, Fitzgerald and agent Eugene Parker have balked at the deal, which is leading to the showdown Friday. The Cardinals have offered Fitzgerald $25 million in guaranteed money, but he wants more than the $32.5 million in guarantees that Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson got last year. But that guaranteed money was paid on a six-year deal. Parker wants more on a four-year deal.
Offering $25 million on four years is not being cheap. How about more like being unrealistic on the part of the player? Is Fitzgerald worth that money? Of course he isn't. But who is? In the current NFL climate, where journeymen free agents will get paid, Fitzgerald deserves a new deal -- just not the outrageous numbers he's seeking."
I'm going to break this down. The part where he says "I'm all for players..." he doesn't mean a word of that. It's almost like the person that starts off by saying "With All Due Respect"...and then just rips the situation apart. The he talks about the burden being on the organization but again says this situation is different...why? Because Fitz is going to receive the escalators in his contract? The guy is 24, has had 100+ catches in 2 of his last 3 seasons, also 1400/10 TD in 2 of his last 3 seasons, the other he was injured for part of the season...guy is a 2 time Pro Bowler, your GD right he's going to be expensive!!! And now one of the most notoriuos cheapskate NFL teams is going to suddenly not be questioned about how they are going about the situation.
Yes, the AZ Cards are offering to make him one of is not the highest paid WR in the league...but guess what, he already will be making somewhere around $14-15 million no matter what the Cards decide to do. His coach has asked him to restructure but Fitz wants $32.5 million in garanteed money, Cards want to offer him $25 million. He is already supposed to collect $32+ million over the next 2 seasons so why would he sign for only $25 mill in garanteed money when he has the Cards on the hook for $32 over the next 2 seasons???
Now if you are one of the people that just cannot get over the amount of money Fitz or anyone like him is going to make and you feel that Fitz is being a whiny whatever...seriously get out of this thread. It doesn't matter what we think these players should or shouldn't make. The salary cap is about $120 million...yes it ws $70 million just a few years back so the salarys are skyrocketing as fast as the NFL ratings and money the owners are making hand over fist(which they should).
Prisco says $25 mill over 4 years isn't cheap but T.O. got $25 million over 3 years when he signed with Dallas. Shouldn't a 24 year old Fitz who is avg 100+ catches, 1,400+ yds and 10 TD in 2 of the last 3 seasons...doesn't he sort of deserve to break thru the ceiling?
Don't ask me what Randy Moss should make because I'll give you an honest answer...whatever the market will pay him, plain and simple. If the Cards don't want to pay Fitz, there are 31 other teams that will find a way to make it work. he has done well on a poor team, had many different QBs chucking him the ball, a franchise that never seems to be able to win, no matter what the reason. He might as well make as much as he can. Is the team really going to be better? I don't know the answer but if they really want to improve everywhere then maybe they should trade Fitz to another team, free up $15 million and go out and sign all these magical players that will get them over the hump. That's the picture they are painting to Fitz, that they can go out and vastly improve the team if he will restructure.
And to land the plane on Pete Prisco...he said is Fitz worth the money? Then he went on to say no one is...and to me that sums him up pretty well and I don't think he should really be writing for a major sports publication or internet site like Sportsline because he obviously doesn't understand the NFL free market. Good luck Pete...enjoy that refreshing Slurpee n Hot Dog in your '92 used Corolla on your way down to the Old Navy clearance racks and leave the big stories to the grown ups.
Last edited by a moderator:
