Fitzgerald says he would play for Eagles IF trade develops? [Archive]

Splat

02-01-2008, 08:55 AM

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/rumors/post/Fitzgerald-says-he-would-play-for-Eagles-if-trad?urn=nfl,64569

"Larry Fitzgerald (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6762/) said during an interview with a Philadelphia radio show that the Philadelphia Eagles (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/phi/) are one of four teams he'd like to play for if traded according to Profootballtalk.com.

It remains to be seen whether the Cardinals will try to trade Fitzgerald. Due to escalators in his contract, he's scheduled to earn salaries of $14.59 million in 2008 and $17.355 million in 2009. That's nearly $32 million over two years, and then he'll hit the open market at only 26 years of age.

The Cardinals could pay him the money for the next two seasons. But it would then cost more than $20 million to retain his rights via the franchise tag for the 2010 season."

BuddyCHRIST

02-01-2008, 08:57 AM

they need to do with rookie contracts like the NBA does, its ridiculous for guys to be the highest paid players at their position before theyve even played a down in the NFL. It also leads to the ruining of many players as they are forced to play way before they are ready because teams can't afford to pay someone that much to sit on the bench.

Also like we see it this year, unless there is a franchise QB no team ever really wants the No. 1 pick because it costs too much money to sign them.

Go_Eagles77

02-01-2008, 08:58 AM

I'd give them our 1st and Reggie Brown for Fitzgerald, but it's not like I'm gonna be making decisions for the eagles any time soon. I'd much rather the eagles trade for Fitzgerald than Johnson, because of the age factor.

Jughead10

02-01-2008, 09:01 AM

Please no. Fitzgerald is probably my favorite non-Giant player. Having him on the Eagles would upset me greatly.

Splat

02-01-2008, 09:05 AM

they need to do with rookie contracts like the NBA does, its ridiculous for guys to be the highest paid players at their position before theyve even played a down in the NFL.

I could not agree more.

Sniper

02-01-2008, 09:07 AM

Please no. Fitzgerald is probably my favorite non-Giant player. Having him on the Eagles would upset me greatly.

Please yes. Perfect fit for the WCO and would make the offense really good. MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SaintsFanForLife

02-01-2008, 09:08 AM

Noone wants to pick up that contract

Go_Eagles77

02-01-2008, 09:09 AM

Please yes. Perfect fit for the WCO and would make the offense really good. MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't get too excited, this is the eagles we're talking about.

Jughead10

02-01-2008, 09:09 AM

Please yes. Perfect fit for the WCO and would make the offense really good. MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm still not sold McNabb will ever be the same again. I would love it if they got a big weapon (although not Fitzgerald), and McNabb continued to struggle. The Eagles chances of getting the Lombardi trophy with McNabb under center were left on the field that day in Jacksonville along with Donovan's vomit.

Turtlepower

02-01-2008, 09:09 AM

I would not like Fitz to be in the NFC East one bit. With that said, this is completely speculative and it doesn't matter what a player says because ultimately the teams have to reach the agreement.

Jughead10

02-01-2008, 09:10 AM

Noone wants to pick up that contract

Whoever traded for him would be signing him to a new contract for at least 6 or 7 years.

Splat

02-01-2008, 09:13 AM

He said the Eagles are one of four teams he would play for I wonder who the other teams are?

Go_Eagles77

02-01-2008, 09:16 AM

I'm still not sold McNabb will ever be the same again. I would love it if they got a big weapon (although not Fitzgerald), and McNabb continued to struggle. The Eagles chances of getting the Lombardi trophy with McNabb under center were left on the field that day in Jacksonville along with Donovan's vomit.

Donovan looked much better at the end of the season. The further he separates himself from that hamstring injury the more he'll be like his old self. I'm not saying he'll ever be a top 3 QB again, but top 10 isn't out of the question.

Go_Eagles77

02-01-2008, 09:17 AM

He said the Eagles are one of four teams he would play for I wonder who the other teams are?

I'm sure one of them is Minnesota, good young team and he's from there.

senormysterioso

02-01-2008, 09:21 AM

He's said that he loves it in Arizona but I'd guess the four other teams are Minnesota as somebody already said, obviously Philly, probably Pittsburgh because he went to school there and maybe Washington it seems like every NFL player has a part of them that wants Dan Snyder to back his money truck up to their door.

Number 10

02-01-2008, 09:22 AM

Wow didn't know that's how much money he was going to make.

That's waaaay too much for a WR that is not even top 3 in the league.

bsaza2358

02-01-2008, 09:48 AM

Fitz may not be a top 3 WR in the game, but he's arguably in the top 5 and easily in the top 10. He's also only 24, so he has a little more filling out to do, plus he can still get even better.

skinzzfan25

02-01-2008, 09:49 AM

Snyder better gas up Redskin One.

Fitz is the man to get.

bsaza2358

02-01-2008, 09:52 AM

We discussed a lot of this yesterday on the Eagles board, and I'm not sure what Fitz's value actually is. With his sick contract numbers, he needs a huge dollar extension from any team that trades for him. He is awesome, but he also disappears at times. He doesn't have top end speed, but his route-running, hands, and body control are ridiculous. I'm just not sure he's going to be the premier WR in this league.

bsaza2358

02-01-2008, 09:53 AM

Snyder better gas up Redskin One.

Fitz is the man to get.

There is zero indication that Fitz is even on the block. I'm not sure he would even want to go to Washington. It's not always about the money. They don't even have a coach at this point.

Vikes99ej

02-01-2008, 09:55 AM

God I hope the Vikings are one of the four other teams.

bsaza2358

02-01-2008, 10:05 AM

When a real media outlet reports this as moving forward, I think we can discuss. It is surprising that any franchise would put itself in a position to have to pay a player $32mm over 2 seasons. When the team saw he was going to exceed the escalators, they should have busted out an extension to limit their financial risks.

skinzzfan25

02-01-2008, 10:05 AM

There is zero indication that Fitz is even on the block. I'm not sure he would even want to go to Washington. It's not always about the money. They don't even have a coach at this point.

No, but they have Zorn there who is calling the WCO. We're in the market for a big WR for Campbell. Whoever the coach is will have very little input on what goes on. Blatche has the D, Zorn has the offense.

Do you think the Cards are gonna pay the 32m they owe him for the next two years? More importantly, do you think Jeffrey 'big spender' Lurie would do it?

Well I know Snyder would.

bsaza2358

02-01-2008, 10:10 AM

No, but they have Zorn there who is calling the WCO. We're in the market for a big WR for Campbell. Whoever the coach is will have very little input on what goes on. Blatche has the D, Zorn has the offense.

Do you think the Cards are gonna pay the 32m they owe him for the next two years? More importantly, do you think Jeffrey 'big spender' Lurie would do it?

Well I know Snyder would.

Snyder would if he could, but right now, he has to worry about getting under the cap before he could even work to get Fitzgerald at all. After that, he'd have less leverage to negotiate a new deal with him because of the cap situation.

The Eagles, meanwhile, have a very young roster outside of their OT's, soon to be gone DE's like Kearse and Howard, McNabb, and Dawkins. Younger team = smaller payroll = more cap room to make that kind of move.

I'm not saying that the Redskins wouldn't make a move for Fitz or Roy or Chad. I'm just saying that it would be more difficult than you're suggesting.

Brent

02-01-2008, 10:29 AM

Noone wants to pick up that contract
I bet the Niners would gladly do it.

NY+Giants=NYG

02-01-2008, 10:39 AM

Snyder better gas up Redskin One.

Fitz is the man to get.

hahaha redskin one, lol. I like that.

Jughead10

02-01-2008, 10:40 AM

hahaha redskin one, lol. I like that.

What he didn't tell you, is that the pilot of said airplane is actually the most intelligent person in the entire Redskin orginization.

skinzzfan25

02-01-2008, 10:44 AM

What he didn't tell you, is that the pilot of said airplane is actually the most intelligent person in the entire Redskin orginization.

Don't hate cause we got a fleet of planes :)

http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=N904DS&distinct_entry=true

Jughead10

02-01-2008, 10:48 AM

Don't hate cause we got a fleet of planes :)

http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=N904DS&distinct_entry=true

With all the hot air in Snyder's skull where a brain should be, you think he would be able to fly on his own.

bsaza2358

02-01-2008, 10:55 AM

Redskin One?

http://www.hydrogennow.org/Facts/hindenburg.jpg

Jughead10

02-01-2008, 10:56 AM

Redskin One?

http://www.hydrogennow.org/Facts/hindenburg.jpg

I bet Redskins fans wished that happen shortly before it was scheduled to bring in Brandon Lloyd and Archuleta.

bsaza2358

02-01-2008, 10:58 AM

I think everyone else in the league was very thankful for those transactions, among others.

Flyboy

02-01-2008, 11:00 AM

Come to New Orleans, Larry. It'll be okay.

LonghornsLegend

02-01-2008, 11:07 AM

Wow didn't know that's how much money he was going to make.

That's waaaay too much for a WR that is not even top 3 in the league.

well alot of his contract was incentive laden, he wasnt signed to all this money, but since he hit almost all and more of his incentives, now they have no choice but to go broke paying him or let him walk well before he is 30...

His original contract was actually decent, but he earned alot more over the few years

Cashmoney

02-01-2008, 11:22 AM

Anyone know who the other 3 teams he was talking about were?

bsaza2358

02-01-2008, 11:24 AM

Much of the incentives and escalators were built in as "unlikely to be earned". Fitz has outperformed even the stellar expectations they had of him out of Pitt. He screwed them by being so dominant. Now, they're hemming and hawing about his cap figure (which they should), and they don't know how to handle it. Fitz has little reason to walk away from $30mm guaranteed over 2 years.

JagHombre22

02-01-2008, 11:38 AM

I think alot of teams are in the mix for wanting Fitz's services....I know Jacksonville could be a major player if they start listening to trade offers....

matter fact, it's probably already done, Jack Del Rio and Fitz are probably playing golf together right now...

bsaza2358

02-01-2008, 11:39 AM

Fitz gave a list of 4 teams he'd like to play for. That should limit some of the options Arizona would have, if they decided to move him.

JagHombre22

02-01-2008, 11:42 AM

I think there are more than four teams that Fitzgerald would play for...

GSOT

02-01-2008, 11:43 AM

I will just be happy if he is taken out the NFC west.

ks_perfection

02-01-2008, 11:49 AM

Aslong as he can work out a contract extension with a team he'd be happy to play their.

Its just silly that a rookie can live up to expectations and his contract can still be too expensive.

bsaza2358

02-01-2008, 12:00 PM

I don't think Fitzgerald wants to go to a team in a smaller market, and I don't think he wants to be a part of a rebuilding effort. He probably wants to win a ring or make the playoffs in a big area that will give him the dough.

wingboy2999

02-01-2008, 02:06 PM

Please no. Fitzgerald is probably my favorite non-Giant player. Having him on the Eagles would upset me greatly.

He's my favorite non-Lion player because he was a God when he was here at Pitt. I had the privilege to watch him in person. For the love of God no, do not go to friggin' Philly.

wingboy2999

02-01-2008, 02:07 PM

That is an absurd amount of money too.

bigbluedefense

02-01-2008, 02:11 PM

Why always the NFC East? Why? Its like great WRs have a hard on to come to the NFC East. Just another guy to worry about.

Some Giant fans would hate me for this, but Id trade Plax for Fitz.

Jughead10

02-01-2008, 02:13 PM

He's my favorite non-Lion player because he was a God when he was here at Pitt. I had the privilege to watch him in person. For the love of God no, do not go to friggin' Philly.

I saw him play Rutgers in college. Only went to see him tear up Rutgers, and boy did he. I think 3 TDs in the first half and he was on the bench most of the second half. I think I left about 2 minutes into the second half.

Jughead10

02-01-2008, 02:15 PM

Why always the NFC East? Why? Its like great WRs have a hard on to come to the NFC East. Just another guy to worry about.

Some Giant fans would hate me for this, but Id trade Plax for Fitz.

I probably would too. It might hurt us a tad right away but would be better in the long run. Him and Smith could form a nice tandem for many years. Two very reliable targets who excel at route running. I didn't know this but apparently Jerry Rice is a very big mentor to Steve Smith and the two have a decently close relationship.

bigbluedefense

02-01-2008, 02:19 PM

I probably would too. It might hurt us a tad right away but would be better in the long run. Him and Smith could form a nice tandem for many years. Two very reliable targets who excel at route running. I didn't know this but apparently Jerry Rice is a very big mentor to Steve Smith and the two have a decently close relationship.

Yeah, thats exactly what Eli needs. Smart route runners who have great hands and find ways to get open. Its no surprise that once he had 2 reliable route runners (Toomer and Smith) on the field at the same time, he started playing much better. I think that, the use of short passes, and no option routes are the 3 reasons why Eli is playing so well right now.

Go_Eagles77

02-01-2008, 02:30 PM

He's my favorite non-Lion player because he was a God when he was here at Pitt. I had the privilege to watch him in person. For the love of God no, do not go to friggin' Philly.

What exactly is the reason you don't want him to go to Philly? The eagles aren't in the same division as the lions... so that can't be it.

B-Dawk

02-01-2008, 02:44 PM

i would be overly happy if this ever happened

Number 10

02-01-2008, 03:08 PM

Why always the NFC East? Why? Its like great WRs have a hard on to come to the NFC East. Just another guy to worry about.

Some Giant fans would hate me for this, but Id trade Plax for Fitz.

Not if we're paying him $32 million for two years. Not in a heartbeat.

I wonder what it would take to get him here with Plax not goin anywhere...

Imagine trading Kiwanuka and a pick for him and signing him to a 6-7 year deal that decreases those absurd cap numbers. Fitz-Plax-Shockey...

Eh probably too much money wrapped up in the offense, sounds like a Mdeen-like dream.

Geo

02-02-2008, 12:30 AM

i would be overly happy if this ever happened
It's the Eagles franchise: it won't.

GB12

02-02-2008, 12:37 AM

$20 million to use the franchise tag on a WR in 2010.

Holy ****.

Sniper

02-02-2008, 07:50 AM

It's the Eagles franchise: it won't.

Sadly, you are correct. They'll take that 20 million and spend it on a stud like Jevon Kearse or Darren Howard, or they just won't spend it at all because you always have to save $20 million for a rainy day.

ATLDirtyBirds

02-02-2008, 10:11 AM

I'm a huge Fitz fan. I think he's a top 3 or top 5 WR in the league. I'd love to see McNabb get someone like him.

619

02-02-2008, 10:19 AM

Fitz would instantly make them Super Bowl contenders next season. McNabbs done well without a true #1 receiver for most of his career that if they were to land him that would solve half of the Eagles problems right there. In fact the only time hes ever had a weapon of Fitzs calibur he went to his lone Super Bowl.

B-Dawk

02-02-2008, 12:35 PM

It's the Eagles franchise: it won't.

a man can dream

fenikz

02-02-2008, 01:23 PM

the Eagles would have to give up an insane amount, something like this year's 1st and 2nd and next years 1st, but could they even afford the 14 mil cap hit? or is this all just speculation that Fitz will take a huge pay cut

bigbluedefense

02-02-2008, 01:38 PM

LonghornsLegend

02-02-2008, 02:39 PM

Im a big Fitz fan myself, but don't you think we're overreacting to how good he is? There are a lot of WRs in this league that have proved a hell of a lot more than Fitz has. In fact, Boldin, his own teammate has outperformed him.

I think too often we let our bias from the combine, and college accomplishments stand in the way and blur what one's true worth is at the NFL level. Fitz is a great WR, but he hasn't done anything for me to believe that he's a top 5 WR in this league.

Can he get to that point? Sure he can. But he's definately not there yet. You gotta prove it first. He hasn't proved anything yet.

I just love his pedigree and work ethic, you pretty much knew he would be great before he got to the NFL...He uses his size to his advantage and has great ball skills and hands...He's not the fastest, but he is very consistent and is a guy that can put up 1300 yds and 8 tds no problems

besides that he's young too, and I just dont think the Cardinals can afford to keep both Boldin and Fitz, and for some reason I feel like if they choose they keep Boldin

nobodyinparticular

02-02-2008, 03:06 PM

The best situation for Larry Fitzgerald would be to give him about a 3 year extension (so lock him up for 5 years), turn a lot of the base salary into signing bonus (total of between $20 and $30 million) and base salaries between 2-4 million. Whether that's in Arizona that it happens or when/if someone trades for him.

Paranoidmoonduck

02-02-2008, 03:14 PM

Im a big Fitz fan myself, but don't you think we're overreacting to how good he is? There are a lot of WRs in this league that have proved a hell of a lot more than Fitz has. In fact, Boldin, his own teammate has outperformed him.

I think too often we let our bias from the combine, and college accomplishments stand in the way and blur what one's true worth is at the NFL level. Fitz is a great WR, but he hasn't done anything for me to believe that he's a top 5 WR in this league.

Can he get to that point? Sure he can. But he's definately not there yet. You gotta prove it first. He hasn't proved anything yet.

I mostly agree, but what he has accomplished by age 24 is at the very least immensly promising. If I were picking wide receivers for a team, he may very well be in the top 5 receivers (although his salary may be more than a bit out of control).