Faneca's Agent: "Fitz cost Arizona Faneca"

[Crazy Canuck]

What the Cardinals don't seem to understand is that it takes leaders to win football games...when one is paying for an elite player like Faneca, one is paying for performance and leadership.

Who is the leader of this offensive line? Is it Deuce? A second year player?

Who are the real leaders on this team?

Boldin, yes.

Edge?

Warner?

Leinart?

Fitzgerald?

Dockett?

Dansby?

Wilson? He brings attitude, but he also screws up more than a player of his ability should.

This is a franchise is in dire need of leaders. It has some talent. Now it needs leadership.

What the Cards know and understand is that you can't simply IMPORT leadership to a football team.

Leaders can't be imposed on any team. It's the guys who strap on the uniform who decide who the leaders are.

And while, unlike you, I can't read minds or attitudes from a coach or players' posture on the sidelines from my living room, I'd venture to say that in their fashion... Boldin, James, Wilson, Hayes and Dockett, are leaders.

As for the O-line. Three of five starters were introduced to each other in training camp before last season. They'll work out their own leadership over time. No need for a "saviour" from Pitt, thank you very much!

If O-line has basically decided that - say, Johnson, is their leader... then the arrival of Faneca, or someone of his ilk, matters not.

Faneca knows (and evidently you don't) that job one is to simply fit in.

If there is something beyond that, it will work itself over time, and decided by the starters and subs.

 

[ajcardfan]

We were never going to offer 23 Mill gauranteed to Faneca. Never. I doubt we would even pay 15 Mill. Although Faneca may have given us a discount not an 8 Mill gauranteed discount thats for sure.

This whole thing is a whole lot of nothing. The Cards may have talked to Faneca's agent but we would not have reach their demands. Case in point - we can sign Faneca to the same exact deal as the Jets are offering (maybe slightly different structure but the same gauranteed) and still fit him under the cap including Fitz inflated contract.

To bash Graves or to bash Fitz for something that was never going to happen IMO isnt right in this case.

Thank God you are around here to point out the obvious joe. Seems like every line of BS put out there is bought hook, line and sinker by most people.

 

[40yearfan]

Not only what Mitch said...... If Pace gets 20 million, why would we not pay 23 million to a perrenial pro-bowler, First-Team All NFL Guard, & Future Hall of Famer?

If we aren't willing to pay that kind of money, then stadium or not, we are going to suck for another decade.

1. We are not keeping our core together as Graves has stated. We are losing good up and coming players because of consistent and dubious procrastination on our GM's Part.

2. We are not going out and filling the holes made by our procrastination because we refuse to pay "Market Value" for the talent that is out there. If we think things are going to get cheaper then Graves is on Crack. And if we continue to attack 2nd tier players then we will continue to be a 2nd tier team.

How can we not say that Faneca is not worth 23 million guaranteed when 3 other teams (2 in our division) so obviously think so? And Faneca's body of work in the NFL is MUCH greater than Fitz's. Especially taking into consideration what Fitz has done to our strategies this off-season.

ATUW, what good young core players have we lost?

 

[red desert]

Do you even remotly understand this contract should have been done at least a year ago? Of course it is Graves fault. My god, the lack of accountability by fans and in the Bidwill family is one of the big reasons this franchise is inept.

 

[Dr. Jones]

ATUW, what good young core players have we lost?

I guess your interpretation might be different than mine.

BJ & Pace - Both 1st rounders.
Blackstock & Johnson are depth.

That's 3 LB's and it's just this year.

And if our CORE players end up costing and inordinate amount of money, then they will not be able to field a team capable of making them a playoff contender.

What the Cards know and understand is that you can't simply IMPORT leadership to a football team.

Leaders can't be imposed on any team. It's the guys who strap on the uniform who decide who the leaders are.

And according to Sean Payton, Drew Brees came right in and led the Saints to the NFC Championship. How about Hutchinson in Minny? Or Reggie White in Green Bay?

Leaders can come in and lead from the beginning.

 

[AZCB34]

Do you even remotly understand this contract should have been done at least a year ago? Of course it is Graves fault. My god, the lack of accountability by fans and in the Bidwill family is one of the big reasons this franchise is inept.

I disagree it should have been done a year ago since there is no way the Cards could have been certain Fitz would meet all the escalators that would jump this thing up. I think the 2nd Pro Bowl thing really did the trick right?

HOWEVER...

This thing should have been done during the year or immediately following the end of the season instead of waiting until the last week or so to get serious about it.

anytimeuwnt is waaaaaay over-reacting against Fitz in this. There is something holding up a deal and it is enough that Fitz has still not restructured. I think it is completely irresponsible to hold Fitz 100% accountable for this although certainly he might be partly to blame.

Faneca, BTW, has hit his high point for production...all down hill from here guys.

 

[Dr. Jones]

I disagree it should have been done a year ago since there is no way the Cards could have been certain Fitz would meet all the escalators that would jump this thing up. I think the 2nd Pro Bowl thing really did the trick right?

Denny Green's quotes from when the deal was struck make this point invalid. He knew, Graves knew, and even the media knew that the last two years of Fitz's contract needed to be addressed.

Whatever the escalators were, they certainly weren't so insurmountable that 4 years ago before he ever played a down of football in a red jersey we knew they would be hit.

anytimeuwnt is waaaaaay over-reacting against Fitz in this. There is something holding up a deal and it is enough that Fitz has still not restructured. I think it is completely irresponsible to hold Fitz 100% accountable for this although certainly he might be partly to blame.

You know what.... I am pissed at Fitz. We are talking about deciding between whether he is highly paid and on a loser, or highly paid, and on a winner. If Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Brian Urlacher, and others can come out publicly to re-work their deals in order to keep their teams a winner why can't one of our most talented players do the same?

It's an arrogance, and selfishness that I cannot tolerate. Fitz has neither the attitude or the stonesto lead this team. And we have the opportunity to get a very talented, who fills a HUGE need, and is also a POWERFUL locker room presence. Tell me, why should I be happy that he wants more than to be the 3rd highest paid non-QB in the league????

Ther 16 ounce filet is just as good as the 18 ounce filet. Eat it or face ridicule for being greedy.

 

[CardLogic]

Let me ask everyone this question: if it came down to acquiring Faneca and having to part with Gandy, Shipp and Terrelle Smith...would you be OK with that?

I'm actually for it, but who do we start at FB under this scenario?

Edge.

Another crazy thought, but whatever happend to FB's that could actually run with the ball also? Edge already runs like a FB anyway. I'd bet he would be a heck of a blocker if he wanted to...

Yeah, I know, Edge would be none to happy with my suggestion.

 

[DaisyCutter]

Amazing, we have a player hold out and cost us a premium free agent, and it's Rod Graves Fault.

Dude--who's holding out? It's not Larry Fitzgerald. It was Anquan Boldin--three years ago. But everyone forgot about that. Larry Fitzgerald HAS his money. He's EARNED it. He's not asking for a RAISE. He's already negotiated it four years ago.

The Cards are asking Fitz to do them a favor. He's trying to give them a way to do it.

If Fitz were holding out, I don't think he'd be running patterns with Leinart Monday through Friday at the Tempe facility.

 

[AZCB34]

Denny Green's quotes from when the deal was struck make this point invalid. He knew, Graves knew, and even the media knew that the last two years of Fitz's contract needed to be addressed.

Whatever the escalators were, they certainly weren't so insurmountable that 4 years ago before he ever played a down of football in a red jersey we knew they would be hit.

I disagree because I have no issue with the Cards playing wait and see on the escalators regardless of what the dumb-ass Denny said. But to wait so close to the start of FA to get serious is really the root cause of the problem because then the little thing (or things) holding this deal up are much harder to work out due to the pressure.

Be pissed at Fitz and give Graves the pass...because that is what you are doing.

Both sides are at fault but if you cannot comprehend the money part of football, I cannot help you in overcoming your hatred of #11.

 

[Dr. Jones]

Dude--who's holding out? It's not Larry Fitzgerald. It was Anquan Boldin--three years ago. But everyone forgot about that. Larry Fitzgerald HAS his money. He's EARNED it. He's not asking for a RAISE. He's already negotiated it four years ago.

The Cards are asking Fitz to do them a favor. He's trying to give them a way to do it.

If Fitz were holding out, I don't think he'd be running patterns with Leinart Monday through Friday at the Tempe facility.

Again.... The dude was offered a MEGA deal and has turned it down. We have offered him more money than all but two other non-QB's in the league and he said no.

Of our most talented players in the CORE group, he has the LEAST ability to be a vocal leader. Why should we offer more than we already have?

 

[Dr. Jones]

Denny Green's quotes from when the deal was struck make this point invalid. He knew, Graves knew, and even the media knew that the last two years of Fitz's contract needed to be addressed.

Whatever the escalators were, they certainly weren't so insurmountable that 4 years ago before he ever played a down of football in a red jersey we knew they would be hit.

I disagree because I have no issue with the Cards playing wait and see on the escalators regardless of what the dumb-ass Denny said. But to wait so close to the start of FA to get serious is really the root cause of the problem because then the little thing (or things) holding this deal up are much harder to work out due to the pressure.

Be pissed at Fitz and give Graves the pass...because that is what you are doing.

Both sides are at fault but if you cannot comprehend the money part of football, I cannot help you in overcoming your hatred of #11.

Trust me.... Satan (Rod Graves) is half of the problem. His lack of pro-activity makes me want to slam a pie in his face. I can't believe he couldn't have done more to get Dansby, Fitz, & Pace locked up before FA began.

He is a HORRIBLE GM. Probably bottom 5 in the league. But he must have some pictures of Bill Bidwill staring into the Players showers ala Porky's, Otherwise he should have been fired years ago.

 

[AZCB34]

Again.... The dude was offered a MEGA deal and has turned it down. We have offered him more money than all but two other non-QB's in the league and he said no.

Of our most talented players in the CORE group, he has the LEAST ability to be a vocal leader. Why should we offer more than we already have?

And who said that money is what is holding up this deal?

I guess we all just assume or something but lots of things, both big and small can hold up a deal. You should know that but why ruin a perfectly good rant against a player.

Carry on.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

WOW!

If I were Fitzgerald at this point, I would demand a trade.

This is BS for a guy who is giving up his biggest pay day to try and help this team. Just to have his abilities downplayed, and to be disrespected.

I wouldn't want Faneca if this is who he chooses to rep him. What a unproffessional thing to say in public.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Denny Green's quotes from when the deal was struck make this point invalid. He knew, Graves knew, and even the media knew that the last two years of Fitz's contract needed to be addressed.

Whatever the escalators were, they certainly weren't so insurmountable that 4 years ago before he ever played a down of football in a red jersey we knew they would be hit.



Trust me.... Satan (Rod Graves) is half of the problem. His lack of pro-activity makes me want to slam a pie in his face. I can't believe he couldn't have done more to get Dansby, Fitz, & Pace locked up before FA began.

He is a HORRIBLE GM. Probably bottom 5 in the league. But he must have some pictures of Bill Bidwill staring into the Players showers ala Porky's, Otherwise he should have been fired years ago.

There's no probably about it. He's in the bottom five. In fact, he's in the bottom 2 with Mike Brown. People would put Millen in there but at least he tries to improve the Lions and will spend some money. He just a bad talent evaluator.

 

[NightHawk11and81]

There's no probably about it. He's in the bottom five. In fact, he's in the bottom 2 with Mike Brown. People would put Millen in there but at least he tries to improve the Lions and will spend some money. He just a bad talent evaluator.

I would rather have a guy who does nothing than a guy who makes the team worse. I honestly don't think Graves is that horrible, I think there's a little too much blame being spread to him and not enough to Fitz. Yes, he should have done this earlier and he deserves blame for that, but beyond that, it's Fitzgerald who's causing the holdup.

 

[john h]

You had me until the release Warner part. Still need him. Shipp is a no brainer to me and I agree that Smith was nothing special.

Release Warner is no option at all. If our starting QB cannot perform or is injured early on the season is over almost before it begins. Warner may end up playing more than Matt. Murphy's law still works. We are very very lucky to have Kurt Warner who would start with the Bears and a few other teams.

 

[DaisyCutter]

I was thinking about this while I was at the gym, but wouldn't it make sense if this is what the Cards told Faneca because they really weren't interested in him?

Pittsburgh (who has a fabulous ability to estimate the true value of their personnel) doesn't think that Faneca is worth the money he will demand on the open market.

Arizona, who is headed by the two active coaches who know Faneca best apparently aren't interested in paying the money that Faneca is going to get. Wouldn't it make sense for Graves to tell Faneca's people, "We'd like to work with you, but right now we're focusing on Larry Fitzgerald's extension."

Don't you think that an agent who might want to distract other franchises from wondering why the two teams most familiar with a "HoF-worthy" LG aren't really interested might blame one of the Top 5 WRs in the NFL?

 

[Dr. Jones]

Pittsburgh (who has a fabulous ability to estimate the true value of their personnel) doesn't think that Faneca is worth the money he will demand on the open market.

Tell that to Plaxico Burress & Mike Vrabel.

 

[DaisyCutter]

Tell that to Plaxico Burress & Mike Vrabel.

Burress wasn't let go because he was bad, he was let go because of his injury problems (which have persisted), and that the offensive staff (guess who) thought that Ben Roethlisberger was depending on just hucking the ball out to him instead of running the offense.


Did Mike Vrabel even start for the Pats the last three seasons? I'll tell that to them, as long as you have a conversation with Joey Porter, Troy Edwards, Oliver Ross, LeVon Kirkland, and Kendrell Bell. And then maybe you can talk to Amos Zeroue and Anwan Randle El.

 

[joeshmo]

BJ & Pace - Both 1st rounders.
Blackstock & Johnson are depth.

I agree with Pace. But what does BJ being a former 1st rounder have to do with him being the core? He is a 3rd WR on a team with 2 stud WR's. Paying for a 3rd WR would be dumb.

Blackstock and Johnson, yes both LB's but I dont see how it hurts depth. Both saw limited action even though Our starting 2 LB's when training camp started were injuried at some point in the season. If neither guy could see much action under those circumstances then that tells me all I need to know about what the coaches thought of them. Plus not to mention if you are a backup LB or in Johnsons case a backup to the backup you better be able to contribute on special teams and neither one was anything to wrote home about.

So all in all Pace is the only one worth note that we are losing. Plus not to mention Johnson and Blackstock could still be back, just at a lower price then the RFA tenders would cost. Both of their agents have already been contacted by the team in that regard according to a recent blog of Sommers or Urban forget which.

 

[joeshmo]

You know what.... I am pissed at Fitz. We are talking about deciding between whether he is highly paid and on a loser, or highly paid, and on a winner. If Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Brian Urlacher, and others can come out publicly to re-work their deals in order to keep their teams a winner why can't one of our most talented players do the same?

One thing all of those players have in common. They actually got paid even more gauranteed money to help out their teams cap structure. They didnt restructure out of the goodness of their hearts they did so becuase they got paid handsomely in the form of more gauranteed money.

 

[joeshmo]

Again.... The dude was offered a MEGA deal and has turned it down. We have offered him more money than all but two other non-QB's in the league and he said no.

Still not sure why people dont get it yet. People still believe the half truths and only half of the story hook line and sinker.

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1640597&postcount=6

 

[joeshmo]

WOW!

If I were Fitzgerald at this point, I would demand a trade.

This is BS for a guy who is giving up his biggest pay day to try and help this team. Just to have his abilities downplayed, and to be disrespected.

I wouldn't want Faneca if this is who he chooses to rep him. What a unproffessional thing to say in public.

It is what happens to any player in a contract dispute. Same thing happened to Boldin and his agent Drew. Same thing will happen with Boldin and Drew again, and it will also happen with Wilson and Dockett as well.

Through all this Fitz is still at the facility every day workout with Matt running routes for him so he has someone to throw to. Ever since just one day after the pro bowl. All the while risking injury before a new deal could be met. He shows up to more Cards charity events and apperances then any other player as well according to Wolf on the radio.

 

[joeshmo]

I was thinking about this while I was at the gym, but wouldn't it make sense if this is what the Cards told Faneca because they really weren't interested in him?

That is to rationale of an assumption for it to be true.