Is it possible to get Larry Fitzgerald, or not?

[DW Toys]

This is just an interesting thought. Would it happen? Maybe not, but it is doable knowing what the WR Tag price has become.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians developed one strong armed QB in Big Ben. He has emphatically said he is not interested in a read-option QB as when he was the Steeler OC that was not his game. Big Ben swears by him. Some interesting stats to consider if the Cards really are thinking Geno Smith as a first round choice at pick #7. I will get to below.

Back to the point of this Cousins. The Pats would never send two #1's for anyone including Revis. But a compelling deal might swing into place at least if you sit down without a quick knee jerk reaction (which happens a lot here). Would BB give the Cards Mallett and a second rounder for Fitzgerald? It seems about right. Some will argue not enough. Some might say too much.

We all know Fitzgerald wants out of a rebuilding team that are into cut mode and very hard against CAP to get below.

The Bad: Fitzgerald has six years left on his contract at an average of $11.7m per year (it fluctuates).

The think about it: The value of a WR franchise tag is $10,537,000 number. Not that far off. and it will be higher each year and it will probably surpass $11.7m.

The Bad: The Cards would still have him on the books for $15m in CAP cost.
The think about it:The Jets owe Snachez what?

The Bad: The Pats have few Draft choices.
The think about it: Mallett is a chip, the other Teams in the NFL know this and if a Team like the Cards is considering a unproven kid who was said to have maturity issues, to jump over the Kolb trade and Skelton experiment, isn't Mallett and a high choice not a better plan?

Mallette has had three years to mature. He was in a fabulous system and watched Tom Brady every day, unlike a kid like Smith. He has proved himself a good citizen and everyone knew he was drafted as collateral for the future. With TB signing for three more, we can start the replacement "tour" once again.

Fact is most say Mallett is still far and about the better of any 2013 QB Draft pick. He has actually been in the NFL so he knows what is in front of him. Now put Arians with him every day as the starting Cards QB. and it make sense.

Final year college stats for Smith VS. Mallett.....Interesting

COMPLETION% YARDS YARDS PER RECEPTION PASSER RATING

Smith: 71.2 4,205 8.1 163.9
Mallett: 64.9 3,869 9.4 163.6

Mallett threw the ball over 100 times less than Smith did his final year. The yards per throw are bigger gains and yards total are indicators of what would be in solid favor of Mallett with more throws. I also expect the SEC is a better conference for competing.

I think the big thing is NFL experience. It takes three years of NFL experience on the average Draft pick to reach potential. Some more, some less. Right now, the best prospect to get Arians a good start maybe Mallett.

Now for the Trade that may or may not work. Mallett and a second rounder from us for Fitzgerald. If they Tag Welker, the price is more. Fitzgerald is younger and without question a top three NFL WR. TB just signed and extension to get the Team better. How would this piece be?

We are not the best but have some CAP space to use. Better than AZ.

The Cards get a QB for the future that many agree was a first round value, a second rounder and a thank you to Fitz. They need more than one WR and a QB. They need an OL, CB, S, OLB AND RB.

Thoughts?

DW Toys

 

[DocHoliday]

Pass. The offense needs depth, not another playmaker unless he comes cheap (draft).

 

[Brady6]

Is it possible to get Larry Fitz, or not?

This is just an interesting thought. Would it happen? Maybe not, but it is doable knowing what the WR Tag price has become.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians developed one strong armed QB in Big Ben. He has emphatically said he is not interested in a read-option QB as when he was the Steeler OC that was not his game. Big Ben swears by him. Some interesting stats to consider if the Cards really are thinking Geno Smith as a first round choice at pick #7. I will get to below.

Back to the point of this Cousins. The Pats would never send two #1's for anyone including Revis. But a compelling deal might swing into place at least if you sit down without a quick knee jerk reaction (which happens a lot here). Would BB give the Cards Mallett and a second rounder for Fitzgerald? It seems about right. Some will argue not enough. Some might say too much.

We all know Fitzgerald wants out of a rebuilding team that are into cut mode and very hard against CAP to get below.

The Bad: Fitzgerald has six years left on his contract at an average of $11.7m per year (it fluctuates).

The think about it: The value of a WR franchise tag is $10,537,000 number. Not that far off. and it will be higher each year and it will probably surpass $11.7m.

The Bad: The Cards would still have him on the books for $15m in CAP cost.
The think about it:The Jets owe Snachez what?

The Bad: The Pats have few Draft choices.
The think about it: Mallett is a chip, the other Teams in the NFL know this and if a Team like the Cards is considering a unproven kid who was said to have maturity issues, to jump over the Kolb trade and Skelton experiment, isn't Mallett and a high choice not a better plan?

Mallette has had three years to mature. He was in a fabulous system and watched Tom Brady every day, unlike a kid like Smith. He has proved himself a good citizen and everyone knew he was drafted as collateral for the future. With TB signing for three more, we can start the replacement "tour" once again.

Fact is most say Mallett is still far and about the better of any 2013 QB Draft pick. He has actually been in the NFL so he knows what is in front of him. Now put Arians with him every day as the starting Cards QB. and it make sense.

Final year college stats for Smith VS. Mallett.....Interesting

COMPLETION% YARDS YARDS PER RECEPTION PASSER RATING

Smith: 71.2 4,205 8.1 163.9
Mallett: 64.9 3,869 9.4 163.6

Mallett threw the ball over 100 times less than Smith did his final year. The yards per throw are bigger gains and yards total are indicators of what would be in solid favor of Mallett with more throws. I also expect the SEC is a better conference for competing.

I think the big thing is NFL experience. It takes three years of NFL experience on the average Draft pick to reach potential. Some more, some less. Right now, the best prospect to get Arians a good start maybe Mallett.

Now for the Trade that may or may not work. Mallett and a second rounder from us for Fitzgerald. If they Tag Welker, the price is more. Fitzgerald is younger and without question a top three NFL WR. TB just signed and extension to get the Team better. How would this piece be?

We are not the best but have some CAP space to use. Better than AZ.

The Cards get a QB for the future that many agree was a first round value, a second rounder and a thank you to Fitz. They need more than one WR and a QB. They need an OL, CB, S, OLB AND RB.

Thoughts?

DW Toys

I don't really think it makes sense to give up Mallett and a 2nd for a receiver coming off a career worst season with a $12M cap hit. We'd be paying for him till he is 36 and he is currently an old 29 year old with 8 years of punishment behind him.

I love the concept but I'd prefer to get younger.

P.S. nice write up.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

No

Draft his cousin

 

[PatriotDynasty_12]

If you can get Fitzy for Mallet and a 2nd rounder, you do it. It would also require Fitzgerald to restructure his contract but if he's willing to do that then it's a no-brainer. Brady just allowed New England $15 million in extra cap space and no doubt he wanted that money spent to improve this team...Fitzgerald gives us a Super Bowl.

 

[mcsully]

I guess until his contract is done, I'll see this post every offseason...

 

[supafly]

I guess until his contract is done, I'll see this post every offseason...

Yeah, get used to it. I responded to posts in another thread last night about the same subject.

People forget that the records of Fitzgerald/C.Johnson's teams were 3-13 and 4-12 for a reason. They don't add much to the team building philosophy with salaries that are 14-15 million aav, especially when you account for the franchise QBs and other high paid players on the team.

The only way Fitzgerald is coming here is if he agrees to lower his salary down to about 7-8 million dollars aav. My guess is that Belichick (along with the other 31 teams) would then be forced to do almost anything to fit him in. Until that happens, which it likely never will, we can keep on having these pipe dream conversations about the #1 or #2 WR in the NFL suddenly coming to the Pats.

Oh, that would also mean we'd have to lose Wes Welker since both of them would be making very good money (along with Brady, Gronk, Hernandez, and Mankins on the offense--totaling 6/11 players), but I'm sure that people would find a way to justify it.

And if the Cards would give us a WR that could easily command at least a 1st+2nd (or even 2 firsts) in trade compensation for Ryan freaking Mallet and our 2nd rounder, then shame on them.

 

[eom]

why are we kicking in the second?

 

[Ivan]

Awesome, maybe they can get Suh for Jeff Demps and 3rd while they are at it.

 

[Jangles]

I wish it was

 

[supafly]

why are we kicking in the second?

Much like the Cassel/Vrabel deal, Belichick apparently has respect for Bidwill and the front office of the Cardinals. It's pretty much a gift.

 

[Deus Irae]

Arizona's not making that deal.

 

[Spergon Wynn]

Ugh. I hate this time of year.

 

[patfanken]

A big contract added to a needing to give up a first or second round draft pick for a player who plays a position that isn't highly value by this FO is NOT a great combination as a likely trade.possibility.

There is no question that Fitzgeral is a great WR, but even he would have a number in the $8-9MM/yr range for the Pats, not in the 12MM range like now. We can dream about a guy like Fitgerald, but that's all it would be.....dreaming

 

[Joker]

we got a better chance of seeing Ella Fitzgerald in a Pats uni.....

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

i wish..but will never happen

 

[eom]

Much like the Cassel/Vrabel deal, Belichick apparently has respect for Bidwill and the front office of the Cardinals. It's pretty much a gift.

in that case I hope they don't just give them a second for the guy's b-day, or whatever.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I guess until his contract is done, I'll see this post every offseason...

3...2...1 another Moss thread coming any minute.

 

[Patradomous]

I'd do that trade in a heartbeat. Fitzgerald is another Boldin except better with a Deon Branch attitude.
Even if you had to let Welker go and have Edelman in the slot and Fitz on the outside I'd do it. You would have plenty of offense and balance.
Fitzgeralds compete would come out like at no other time other if he had TB throwing to him.

 

[tonyto3690]

Op suggests he might not do mallett and a secon for fitzgerald. If you offered that to the cardinals they'd probably punch you in the face. It would take minimum mallett, a first, and a second.

That's the bare minimum that they would even begin to entertain offers instead of laughing in yourface.

I don't think even the madden ai would even do that trade.