Larry Fitzgerald Would Be Willing to Restructure His Contract to Keep Anquan Boldin?
Adam Schefter of the NFL Network is reporting that Larry Fitzgerald has stated that he'd be willing to restructure his contract so that the Arizona Cardinals give Anquan Boldin a new contract. Fitzgerald signed a 4 year, $40 million dollar deal this offseason, in an effort to help the Cardinals out of a cap-crunch and it sounds like he's ready to do it again. Hopefully Fitzgerald's willingness to take less money and be a team player will rub off on Boldin and he'll accept slightly less than market value.
There isn't a single quote from Fitzgerald in the story and no one else has picked it up yet. I'm assuming that he was asked this during media day, but we'll keep an eye to see if any other outlets report the same thing.
Update: Darren Urban has posted his thoughts on the subject and even though he didn't hear it, he's assuming that it's true (I'm sure there video out there some where). It did sound like Urban was trying to downplay the comments though by saying.....
I'm sure it was done with the right intentions (although restructuring by a player usually means additional money or at the least moving money into a player's hands quicker, so Fitz would get a benefit). But the Boldin question isn't just about the money. It's the money the Cards are willing to spend at the position when other parts of the team (QB Kurt Warner, LB Karlos Dansby, S Adrian Wilson, for example) also need tending. It's the money Boldin is willing to play for, and whether he is still willing to stick around.
Update: Mike Sando gets a completely different vibe from Fitzgerald's comments:
Fitzgerald to reporters Wednesday: "I'm not really sure where that report came from. Someone asked me a question if I would be willing to do something to help the team and I said, 'No problem.' This opportunity right here to be playing deep in the postseason, this is an amazing feeling. I'll do whatever it takes to get back to this point going forward in my career."
"Whatever it takes" should not require altering his contract, even though the deal is scheduled to count more than $10.5 million against the Cardinals' salary caps in each of the next three seasons. Boldin is scheduled to earn $8.75 million over the remaining two seasons of the deal he last extended in 2005.
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16 comments
Comments
Schefter is usaully correct on his reports..
And Fitz is a classy guy. I wouldnt be surprised if he did say that.
Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Jan 27, 2009 10:55 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
+1 on both of those
But if it was discussed during media day, there should be plenty of quotable material out there.
by AJ BirdWatcher on Jan 27, 2009 11:24 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
TiVo to the rescue
Even though the statement was likely off camera. I’ll watch the Cardinals portion again and post some notable quotes, if any. What I’ve caught thus far has been the same rhetoric the Cards have been saying the past week.
We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!
by Hawkwind on Jan 27, 2009 12:08 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
12 minute mark of Cardinals Media Day segment Schefter makes the Fitz/Boldin comment
Looks like it’s re-airing all day on NFL Network. Plenty of chances to watch it. It’s good to see all the guys out together including the PS guys and even Scott Peters!
We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!
by Hawkwind on Jan 27, 2009 2:03 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
YA! Scott Peters!!
I watched some if it. I liked the team photos. Did anybody see DRC do a back-flip?
Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Jan 27, 2009 3:17 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Or Alan Branch dancing with the Mexican reporter?
Clearly his light bulb is still off…
We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!
by Hawkwind on Jan 27, 2009 3:23 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Confirmed
This is from azcardinals.com/home.php
"If it was to keep my brother Q here, or anybody else here, I would definitely help out," Fitzgerald said. "Being in the cellar of the NFL for so long, this right here (being in the Super Bowl) is such an honor. To be playing in such a great game, anything I can do to help."
That guy is a class act. I just hope Q hears about this and takes a moment to realize what Fitz is saying and means by this.
by CardsFan08 on Jan 28, 2009 1:09 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
All three WRs depend on each other to make their stats so good
Take away one and the remaining WR’s numbers will suffer somewhat. Fitz offering some wiggle room can only help keep Boldin happy and give Breaston a nice “thank you” bonus (not to mention KW if he has another go of it).
We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!
by Hawkwind on Jan 28, 2009 1:34 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
+ the front office has the power to swing a few more endorsements his way to offset the difference.
Classy move and it will probably net him more $$ in the long run.
by hevchv on Jan 28, 2009 2:43 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Schefter mentioned as much as restructuring usually involves a cash out up front that is then pro-rated over the length of the contract which is only three more years at this rate. I think Fitzy should tack on a year or two to the contract. ::wink::
We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!
by Hawkwind on Jan 28, 2009 4:33 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Seriously.
Lock him up for the next 10+ years.
Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Jan 28, 2009 5:38 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
If they do hopefully they'll add one or two years
I think that this single message from Fitz could be what the front office and Q need to release some tensions and allow the good vibes to flow and get the negotiations going.
This was from foxsports:
Boldin said he appreciated Fitzgerald’s offer.
“Fitz and I have been together for five years, and we’ve been through a lot together,” Boldin said. “I think the relationship that we have, neither of us want to see broken up. There’s mutual respect, not only as receivers but as friends, and we realize that we make each other’s jobs easier.”
by CardsFan08 on Jan 28, 2009 8:32 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully.
And hopefully, the NFLPA doesn’t make an issue out of it, either….
"Of course, it’s downright frightening to imagine how two Adam Dunns would turn the double play." - Joe Posnanski
by DbacksSkins on Jan 28, 2009 8:35 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
larry
fitz is a classy guy.
Dodgers - 2008 NL West Champions
Cardinals - 2008 NFC Champions
by wongy on Jan 28, 2009 11:40 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Breaston is soo underrated.
Even by some of us Cardinal fans. He’s one to add to the classy list also. The guy wouldnt come out in Boldin’s spot when Q was hurt because he said that starting spot didnt belong to him.
Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Jan 29, 2009 3:29 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
i remember that.
I have to give Rod Graves his props. He has been a classy dude since he got here and has done a good job of bringing the right kinds of guys, coaches and players. Except for Denny Green.
by hevchv on Jan 31, 2009 5:51 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs























