New-look Cardinals need help from high-priced star Fitzgerald

Cheap. Thrifty. Low budget. Tightwads.

The Arizona Cardinals have been called all of that -- and more -- over the years. Much of it has been justified. For years, the Cardinals were an organization that didn't want to spend to be good. Part of it was they couldn't.

Fitzgerald in four seasons: 330 catches, 4,554 yards and 34 touchdowns. (US Presswire)

They played in a college stadium with a bad lease and no club seats. Revenue was tight. That has changed. With a new, shiny stadium that produces plenty of revenue and president Michael Bidwill, the son of owner Bill Bidwill, much more active in the organization and seemingly much more willing to spend, those nasty words aren't coming the Cardinals way as much anymore.

These aren't the same Cardinals, including at the negotiating table. Which brings us to receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

The Cardinals have put themselves into a tough situation with Fitzgerald, their star player, because he has hit accelerators in his contract that raise his salary to $14.6 million in 2008 and $17.4 million in 2009. Even with the cap at $116 million, that's way too much money for one player.

The Cardinals want to keep Fitzgerald but not at those numbers. They've hinted that they might be forced to release players and won't be able to add new ones in free-agency. They might not be able to re-sign linebacker Calvin Pace, a player they want back.

Fitzgerald's deal doesn't work financially the way it is. But the Cardinals have said they will keep Fitzgerald, no matter what.

So these are the options: Keep him and possibly cut some of his friends to make it happen -- weakening the team in the process -- or give him a new long-term deal. The Cardinals are trying to get the latter done, but so far they've reached no deal.

Fitzgerald has been told this several times. According to sources, he had a sit-down with coach Ken Whisenhunt in which the coach outlined the harsh realities of the situation, that his current number would make it impossible to improve the team.

I'm all for players getting every cent they can. And I don't think what one player does should have an impact on what the rest of the team is doing -- that's up to the organization to make it work -- but in this case, things are a bit out of whack.

Here's why: The Cardinals have offered to make Fitzgerald the highest-paid receiver in the league as well as the highest-paid player in team history. The deal they are offering, according to a team source, would make him the third highest-paid, non-quarterback in the league.

So far, Fitzgerald and agent Eugene Parker have balked at the deal, which is leading to the showdown Friday. The Cardinals have offered Fitzgerald $25 million in guaranteed money, but he wants more than the $32.5 million in guarantees that Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson got last year. But that guaranteed money was paid on a six-year deal. Parker wants more on a four-year deal.

Offering $25 million on four years is not being cheap. How about more like being unrealistic on the part of the player? Is Fitzgerald worth that money? Of course he isn't. But who is? In the current NFL climate, where journeymen free agents will get paid, Fitzgerald deserves a new deal -- just not the outrageous numbers he's seeking.