Larry Fitzgerald Signs $120M Contract with Cardinals

Larry Fitzgerald has agreed to a $120 million contract for eight years with the Arizona Cardinals that will make him the highest-paid non-quarterback of NFL, according to several reports.

The pact comprises around $50 million in guaranteed money, according to the report.  The Cardinals did not reveal financial terms in announcing the contract, although general manager Rod Graves informed the reporters that the club was ready to make Fitzgerald the highest-paid player in team history.

Team president Michael Bidwill said at a news conference that, “We’re excited about what the future holds, not only for Larry and the Cardinals, but to see him retire as a Cardinal some day. Hopefully, not any time soon.”

Fitgerald, 27 years old, has become the face of the Cardinals since the team made him the No. 3 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft.  He has racked up 613 catches for 8,204 yards and 65 touchdowns in his seven-year career.  He has also been chosen to the Pro Bowl for five times.

Since 2006, Fitzgerald has had not less than 90 receptions for four successive years, even though his 90 receptions for 1,137 yards, and six touchdowns last season were his lowest totals.

He expressed disappointment with the Arizona’s offense last year after quarterback Kurt Warner retired.  To that end, the Cardinals traded for Philadelphia Eagles backup Kevin Kolb this offseason and right away signed him to a long-term contract.

Fitzgerald could have become a free agent after the season; the Republic noted that clauses in his last contract avoided the Cardinals from trading him or assigning him as their franchise player.

Fitzgerald said, “I’m not one to try to hold a hammer over anybody’s head.  The (Cardinals’) activity in free agency this year is something I haven’t seen since I have been here, and I think that is just an example, a sign of things to come.”

Steve Smith Agrees To a Contract with Philadelphia Eagles

Former New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith is the newest free agent to choose he would fairly be in Philadelphia.

Smith agreed to a one-year contract last Wednesday with the Eagles after spending four seasons with the Giants that integrated a Super Bowl season and a Pro Bowl season.

The surgically repaired knee of Smith is a concern, and he might not be prepared to play until October or later on. On the other hand, the Eagles were willing to get an opportunity on Smith, one of preferred targets of Eli Manning and a receiver that has amazed them as a challenger.

In a report, Andy Reid the Eagles coach said, “Like I’ve said many times before, (general manager) Howie Roseman and I are always keeping our eyes open for good football players.  And Steve Smith certainly fits that category…We feel very good about our current group of receivers and Steve adds another dimension to that position. He’s played very well against us in the past few years and we’re happy to have him on board.’’

According to Smith in a message posted on his Facebook page, saying the choice to leave the Giants was hard.

Smith posted, “I will always cherish my time in NY and the super bowl victory.  But unfortunately the business aspect proved that the Eagles wanted me to be part of their organization MUCH more than the Giants did.’’

Osi Umenyiora Contract Deadlock Continues

The Osi Umenyiora contract stalemate went on Monday, in spite of a latest suggestion from the Giants, ESPN said.  The team offered the defensive end additional incentives that would take effect if he registered 13 ½ sacks this season.  This is a follow-up suggestion from the team, which gave $2 million value of incentives last week that would max out if he reached 15 sacks.  Umenyiora had 11 ½ sacks season.

Umenyiora answered  by asking for the final year of his seven-year, $41 million contract – 2012 to be wiped out so that he can turn into a free agent after this season.

The agent of Umenyiora, Tony Agnone did not return messages.

In the meantime, Giants co-owner John Mara informed the Star-Ledger that he considers the team and the disgruntled two-time Pro Bowler will work out their differences.

Mara said, “I think it’ll be resolved, and he’ll be a Giant this year.”

DT Marvin Austin missed practice last Monday for the second straight day, but is expected to return Wednesday.  He cramped up after his right hip flexor tightened.

Austin hopes to play on Saturday when the team goes to Carolina for its first preseason game.

Austin played for North Carolina before being released for improper agreement with an agent.

David Baas acknowledged there have been some hiccups in the snap exchange with Eli Manning.  The new center, who played six seasons with San Francisco, took the blame.  Baas said, “With the lockout and everything, everything is really shortened.”

Ronnie Brown Signs Deal with Eagles

Eagles President Joe Banner noted last weekend that the Eagles are becoming a priority NFL destination – a team players want to join.

Ex-Dolphin Ronnie Brown will support LeSean McCoy this season after signing a 1-year contract for about $1 million, plus some incentives, that there may not be a better illustration of that than yesterday’s news.

Ronnie Brown, 29, was the second player chosen in the 2005 outline, and a 2008 Pro Bowl selection after he went back from lost part of 2007 with an ACL tear. It is hard to believe that he could not find a place that would suggest more money and more carries than he is likely to get with the Eagles. The Miami Herald reported that the Chargers, Ravens and Rams all want Brown, and that Brown got less money to come to the Eagles. A source close to the situation said that was the case.

Brown is 6-foot, 230, with the kind of inside power the Eagles need in a McCoy complement, plus critical for any back who desires to play in this offense, and he is a solid pass receiver.

Agent Todd France said, “He was looking for the opportunity, not just the money, he felt Philly was the best. He has been smart financially, and is looking at the big picture.”

The big picture would include a chance to achieve some Super Bowl luster, and then become a free agent in the offseason. That would be quarterback Vince Young’s thinking in signing a 1-year Eagles contract.

Brown carried 200 times last season for 734 yards and five touchdowns. McCoy had 207 carries in Andy Reid’s pass-first system for achieving 1,080 yards and scoring seven touchdowns. When the Eagles set franchise records for points and generally yardage, Eagles running backs other than McCoy managed just 78 carries last season.  That is, if you figure Chad Hall’s nine carries as belonging to a wideout. Running backs other than McCoy grasped 21 passes, again, excluding out Hall’s 11.

Brown has never carried the ball less than 200 times in a full period.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said in a statement released by the group, “Ronnie is an all-around running back with a versatile skillset, he can run the ball, catch it, and does very well in pass protection. He’ll add some good size to our backfield, and he’s a good character guy. We think he’ll be a tremendous complement to LeSean and the other young backs on this team that we really like.”

Brown got the 3^rd rank on the Dolphins’ all-time rushing list, with 4,815 yards in six seasons, trailing only Larry Csonka and Ricky Williams. He was an early pioneer of the NFL “wildcat” trend, something Reid likes to tinker with.

Source Says Cromartie Signs Deal with Jets

According to a league source, the Jets verified one more item off their to-do list early Monday morning when they accepted the terms on a latest contract with free agent cornerback Antonio Cromartie.  It is considered to be a four-year contract, and the Daily News stated it is worth $32 million.

Cromartie tweeted “Cro is back” and “headed home glad 2 B a Jet. . .  let’s go win a Superbowl.” after the news broke.

It was the second significant player goes for the Jets in a span of around 16 hours.  They signed free agent wide receiver Plaxico Burress to a one year, $3.017 million agreement.  The team selected not to re-sign Braylon Edwards, who led the Jets in receptions last season and signing Burress in its place resulted in a savings that helped enable them to re-up Cromartie.

Cromartie played right cornerback for the Jets in the previous season after being acquired from San Diego in a March 2010 trade.   He had a firm reason, but rumors where that he was annoyed by the Jets’ extremely open dalliance previous week with free agent Nnamdi Asomugha, who finally signed with Philadelphia on Friday.  Some money probably helped smooth over the hard feelings.

In a radio interview last month, Cromartie had said that there was “no such thing” as a hometown discount, although he as well had made clear he wished to go back.  Oakland, which lost Asomugha to free agency, was reported to be the other main suitor.  The Jets as well had interest in free agent Philipp Buchanon as a fallback choice at corner, but wound up not having to go that way.

Cromartie, 6-foot-2, has 18 interceptions in his five-year NFL profession, counting three last seasons.

Ryan Callahan Signs $12.8M Contract with Rangers

Ryan Callahan avoided the NHL’s normally unpleasant arbitration proc and process obtained a heavy raise.

Callahan, the life-long resident of Greece, agreed to terms on a three-year, $12.825 million contract with the New York Rangers on Wednesday.

His arbitration case was scheduled on July 28 in Toronto.

Steve Bartlett, Callahan’s agent of Pittsford-based Sports Consulting Group said, “Going to arbitration isn’t something anyone in their right mind sits and drools over with anticipation.  I don’t mind matching wits with the other side. It’s like debate club.”

He added, “But the price that’s paid is often on the player in hearing things (from the team) that might scar him a lot more than they would scar me.”

Callahan received $2.4 million this past season, when he achieved 23 goals, 25 assists and 48 points in 60 games.  The veteran correct winger was the Ranger’ second-leading scorer, in spite of neglecting 22 games for the reason of a broken ankle, and as well wore the “A” as an alternate captain.

He will be paid $4 million for this season and next, and $4.825 million in 2013-14.

Bartlett said the Rangers asked for a five-year agreement, although the sides could not concur on a salary for the last two years. He will currently turn into an unlimited free agent when his new contract expires.

Bartlett said, “We were hoping to do a longer-term deal,” but we couldn’t obtain the money to acquire him out of those possible unlimited free agent years.

He added, “I think Ryan’s a rising star within the market so the money had to be right.”

Jose Reyes Will Be Back in the New York Mets Line-up

The team announced that Jose Reyes, the electrifying shortstop, is set to be out of the disabled list and go back to the New York Mets line-up.

He felt no lingering effects from an injured hamstring which he suffered on July 2 after trying himself throughout a rehab period in the minor leagues.

Reyes is expected to go back to the Mets with 48 against 28 line-up versus the St. Louis Cardinals.

Reyes informed the newyork.mets.mlb.com, the website of the team, “I’m going to play tomorrow in the big leagues, so that’s the only difference. But it’s still baseball.”

“You have to run to first base, you have to run to second. It’s the same game.”

He guides the Major Leagues with .354 batting average and ranks second with 124 strikes and 30 steals.

Set to turn into a free agent at the last of the season, Reyes has been one of the few bright spots for a Mets team that are fighting to stay out of last place in the National League East.