OT: Larry Fitzgerald does not expect to be back with the Cardinals next season

[Observer]

Would much rather get a good lineman

 

[supafly]

I seem to have missed the "practically," in "practically "guaranteed"". My bad.

I will put the shovel down I guess...

I may have misrepresented my thoughts a bit as well, so no worries.

Bottom line is that I'd have a very difficult time envisioning such a move, and I do not believe that it provides good value....but, if there were anyone offensively in the league who may take a bit less to contend, then I'd believe that Fitzgerald is the kind of highly intelligent professional who Belichick may consider a bit more than the average 8-10-12 million dollar WR.

In other words, I wouldn't think that he would have a difficult time picking things up. I certainly could be wrong.

 

[supafly]

Hes going to a place with a stable QB not a "Rookie" - Wild guess would be "home" to Steelers

That's one team that I'd have a hard time seeing, since they tend to spend conservatively.

They've already hit home runs with Antonio Brown, Martavius Bryant, and possibly Markus Wheaton--so I'm not seeing much of a need at receiver, particularly for that kind of money. To take it one step further, they also need to retain Ben Roethlisberger, who is up for extension.

 

[supafly]

I really don't see a role for him on this team especially at 5/6M that people are projecting. LaFell makes 3M/year. Is Fitzgerald twice as good at this stage of his career to justify twice the money. Bill won't see that as value.

The combination of Gronk, Lafell and Edelman more or less averaged a thousand yards each. If I was looking for a compliment to that it would be the guy who can run the deep route. It's the component they lack.

Some lower seeded playoff team or team that just missed will end up overpaying him trying to get to the next level.

I would guess that you're probably right.

The best value would be for N.England to try and either (or both) choose another draft pick, or attempt to find a diamond in the rough in terms of the low/mid levels of free agency. While the lack of "name" may not excite any of us, the fact remains that we still need a downfield threat + better depth at WR.

 

[BradyFTW!]

That's one team that I'd have a hard time seeing, since they tend to spend conservatively.

They've already hit home runs with Antonio Brown, Martavius Bryant, and possibly Markus Wheaton--so I'm not seeing much of a need at receiver, particularly for that kind of money. To take it one step further, they also need to retain Ben Roethlisberger, who is up for extension.

Agreed, their cap situation isn't good and hasn't been for a long time, but part of how they stay competitive is by drafting well enough at WR that they don't have to spend a ton of money there. They gave Brown his money because he's awesome, and they picked up Lance Moore for cheap, but otherwise they've proven to be fine with letting guys like Sanders and Wallace walk and just replacing them with draft picks like Bryant and Wheaton. I don't think they'd be too keen on taking Fitzgerald, and even if they wanted to they probably couldn't realistically. Then again, I would've said the same thing about Mike Mitchell and Blount last year, so even moreso than with most FOs I really don't understand who they target in FA and why.

 

[supafly]

They gave Brown his money because he's awesome

And even that deal is insanely cheap, all things considered.

He signed the 5 year 41 million dollar extension that they (reportedly) originally offered to Mike Wallace, and he isn't a free agent until the spring of 2018.

 

[McClusky]

Personally I have little to no interest in Fitz. From what I hear from Arizona fans is that his deep speed and elite athleticism is gone, and he's more limited as an underneath possession guy at this point. Whatever receiver we would bring in would be best served to be comfortable playing only about 50% of the snaps, and mainly be a vertical route specialist. In essence a better Brian Tyms.

Even if Fitz was willing to come here for only $4 million APY, I still think we'd be better off investing to keep someone like Ayers who is 25, a useful platoon piece, and proven to work in our system here.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Whatever receiver we would bring in would be best served to be comfortable playing only about 50% of the snaps, and mainly be a vertical route specialist. In essence a better Brian Tyms.

Agree completely. While it was the last game of the season, I'd be very happy with what Tyms did vs BUF in 2015. Some mid/long intermediate routes and the ability to provide the over-the-top threat. 20-30 catches a year for 15 yards a catch.

Even if Fitz was willing to come here for only $4 million APY, I still think we'd be better off investing to keep someone like Ayers who is 25, a useful platoon piece, and proven to work in our system here.

Agreed but not sure Ayers is a $4m APY player here because as you say he'd be a platoonguy. With Jones/Nink here at DE/OLB, they are ahead of him on all packages. He's also behind Collins and Hightower at ILB/OLB. With that said, I really like him and hope he stays with the team.

 

[McClusky]

I was probably thinking $4 million as part of a tryout extension for 1 year. Basically telling Akeem that he can get a larger extension after a 1 year similar to what Mark Anderson did here. I really want to see Ayers get a longer look to re-establish the 3 end rotation of the Vrabel/McGinest/Colvin days. Plus he's good insurance for Chandler Jones who has proven to be somewhat of an injury risk.

 

[varjao]

Ayers must stay, I think BB fixed the depth at linebacker depth on the fly with the trades for ayers and Casillas.
Casillas is more a lb/special teams rotational player but Ayers can be used on sub packages and play a good number of snaps. Hes already a proven player and a 2nd round draft pick that was burried on titans depth chart, retaining him will allow BB to redirect draft picks to other positions like DE/DT

 

[kennyb]

I think ayers 5m for 3 years with 1.5m signing bonus.

 

[doesntmatter1]

I question if Larry is still even that great. It may be pure coincidence, but EVERY time I catch a Cardinal game he is always dealing with some knee ailment. Is it bad timing on my part or does he have chronic knee issues?

 

[Rob0729]

From Ben Volin:

Just asked about Suh or Larry Fitzgerald joining the #Patriots next year. Suh: No. Fitz: Could see that happening. Amendola likely gone

https://twitter.com/BenVolin/status/551435811951239169

He says Suh will cost too much.

 

[lurker1965]

32 years old and 3 straight years without a 1,000 yard season. If Fitzgerald's cut, he's worth keeping an eye on. I don't think he would command that much money.

If he wants shot at a championship he'll go to us, Denver, GB or Seattle. None of those teams will break the bank for him.

I'll never say never because I thought there was little likelihood that Revis would ever come here. then again, they had just lost Talib and really needed a CB at the time.

We're not that needy at WR that we would consider paying him top dollar (even for a 1 year prove you still have it deal). If he was realistic and wanted a chance at a ring he'd be willing to got to a contender for reasonable $$$. We're just as likely as others that would be consider contenders.

Question really is, how does Fitzgerald evaluate himself? Would be be ok with the number of receptions after say Gronk and Edleman? Would it be worth displacing LaFell's receptions for him (probably, but I would hate to do that to Brady).

if he is welling to sign as the #3 WR at 5 or 6 million for 2 years he would be a great red zone weapon for Brady but I think some team will pay for the name

Yup, a 1 or 2 year deal, low salary but huge bonuses - a "prove it" deal. And if we are outbid by the Lions or somebody,then wish him luck with a derisive snort? If we are outbid by the Seahawks or someone "contender-ish" then cut out the snort.

I liked the "replace Amendola" idea.

 

[shmessy]

From Ben Volin:



https://twitter.com/BenVolin/status/551435811951239169

He says Suh will cost too much.

I'm sorry, you lost me at "From Ben Volin....."


.

 

[VrabelJr]

I think we need to have our eyes on a few "good, not great" type of WRs that are entering FA. Realistically, Gronk is our "elite receiver" and cap management wise it's hard to break the bank on two elite receiving options and expect to be strong in other areas of the roster. Here's three names that come to mind for me:

Torrey Smith - FA in 2015
Cecil Shorts III - FA in 2015
Kendall Wright - FA in 2016

 

[varjao]

What I want for the offense in terms of receivers is not much, I think we really need to prioritize the offensive line, but here's what I would like:

1 - Cut or trade Amêndola and bring Edelman back to this role. Yes, although I'm very happy with minitrons performance and reliability, I would like to see his 1000 yards going to a guy who can stretch the field or a possession receiver like Anquan Boldin. My point is, last year Edelman scored 6 tds without competition, this year 2. He helps to move the chains, but I would like to see the Pats being able to gain 40 yards in a pass more frequently and not counting with the yards after catch, I'm talking about really gaining big chunks of yard in the reception. Without this element we will keep losing in the playoffs. Edelman could still be very productive in the slot and aligning in the outside here and there and producing around 700 yards.

2 - Bring this guy I said above. One possibility is moving Wright back to WR. He had good possession skills, don't know about his speed. He doesn't block, BB could allow Aaron Hernandez to not block **** and get a lot of snaps because he was a mismatch nightmare, but I don't think BB is much interested in replicate this move TE role, we can see around the league it's difficult, Hernandez was unique.

3 - Draft a TE like Gronk. OK I'm kidding, this is impossible, but we should really bring a guy to develop behind the GOAT TE and upgrade Hooman.

4 - I'm not giving up Dobson yet. My concerns are healthy related, he has shown he can play football. If healthy he can be a very serviceable 3th or 4th receiver.

So that's my take on the receiving corps, 1 FA and 1 draft pick.

 

[mayoclinic]

Personally I have little to no interest in Fitz. From what I hear from Arizona fans is that his deep speed and elite athleticism is gone, and he's more limited as an underneath possession guy at this point. Whatever receiver we would bring in would be best served to be comfortable playing only about 50% of the snaps, and mainly be a vertical route specialist. In essence a better Brian Tyms.

Even if Fitz was willing to come here for only $4 million APY, I still think we'd be better off investing to keep someone like Ayers who is 25, a useful platoon piece, and proven to work in our system here.

Larry Fitzgerald is a shadow of what he used to be, and he has little separation capability. I would have no interest, personally. Michael Crabtree, Cecil Shorts and Eddie Royal all interest me more.

 

[PatriotSpy]

Larry's got to be itchin' for a real quarterback to throw him the ball. Brady can revive his career!

Larry!Larry!Larry!

 

[PatriotSpy]

Yeah, that occurred to me, too, but I have to tell you: I'd hate it. One Year Rentals are usually disruptive to developing a Team's long term Success, even when the Player is effective. You can't usually simply Cut & Paste Players like you can in BaseBall or BasketBall. FitzGerald would be fun, sure, but if we can't get'm locked up for 4 Years at an offensively delicious Discount, I'd rather Draft & Develop...

But that's a Philosophical Choice. I can certainly see the Merits of what you propose.

What receivers have we really drafted and developed that worked out