clark-judge

Let's get something straight: Larry Fitzgerald is not on the trading block. The Arizona Cardinals did field an inquiry from Philadelphia about Fitzgerald, but it was the Eagles who started the process and the Cards who ended it. Essentially, Philly wanted to know if the Cards were interested in cornerback Lito Sheppard and something else, and they said they weren't. When Philly threw in Reggie Brown as that something else they still weren't. And the reason is simple: They're not looking to trade the guy. "We were just listening," is how someone close to the Cards characterized it. One problem with anyone trying to deal for Fitzgerald is that you would have to re-sign him, and there's no guarantee he will re-sign anything. So the Cards have him at an inflated figure for now. Yeah, they're not wild about it, but they're not tyrying to deal him, either.

Now that Seattle added Julius Jones, the question is: What does all of this mean to Shaun Alexander? The guy is 30, is scheduled to make $4.5 million and is coming off his worst season as a pro. Conventional wisdom says the Seahawks will ask Alexander to take a pay cut, but if he doesn't then what? Coach Mike Holmgren and president of football operations Tim Ruskell already are on record saying they don't intend to cut Alexander, but the Seahawks have options now they didn't when they made that statement. There's Jones, and there's T.J. Duckett. OK, so neither is a premier back, but I guarantee Jones could do more than Alexander did a year ago -- which, basically, was not much. You don't sign two free-agent backs if you're satisfied with what you have, and the Seahawks shouldn't be. But effect will that have on Alexander's career in Seattle? I think we all want to know.

I'm looking at free-agent contracts this morning and just dissected the deals for new Jets Alan Faneca and Calvin Pace. Faneca has the first three years of his contract guaranteed, which tells you the Jets think he'll be around through 2010. Including his signing bonus and a roster bonus for this season he has $21 million in guaranteed money for the deal. Pace has an $11 million signing bonus, which he collects immediately, and the first two seasons of his deal guaranteed. But that's only $1.5 million, so the Jets are on the hook for $12.5 million in guarantees. But here's where it gets interesting. Pace has a $9 million roster bonus next March, which the club probably will turn into a signing bonus for accounting purposes. If that happens, that means the guaranteed money jumps to $20.5 million. Plus, if you figure he plays this season he makes an additional $750,000, so now we're over $21 million. And it becomes $22 million if you think he plays next season, too. I think that goes without saying, but saying he gained $22 million in guarantees isn't accurate. He almost surely will gain that money, but according to NFLPA figures that $9 million roster bonus next year is not guaranteed. So just because you assume he gets it doesn't mean you count it. Bottom line: The Jets are spending a lot of money, and good luck when you try to renegotiate contracts for returning veterans.

If you look at the Chicago Bears' deal with Lance Briggs it stands in direct contrast to the gargantuan free-agent contracts of the past week. According to NFL Players Association numbers the only guaranteed money in the six-year deal is the $4 million signing bonus. That's it. He also receives a $3.75 million roster bonus this year, and while it's not guaranteed you have to figure he gets it. So let's say you consider that guaranteed money, the figure jumps to $7.75 million. Now, do you want to add his $850,000 base salary for 2008? That would push it to $8.5 million, even though the salary is not guaranteed, either. So now what? He has a $4.75 million reporting bonus next year and a $3.3 million reporting bonus in 2010, but neither is guaranteed. He also has a $1.1 million and $3.145 million base salaries in 2009-10, but neither is guaranteed, either. Throw in a $250,000 workout bonus each year and you have the first three years. The way I see it the Bears got themselves a bargain. Look at it this way: Let's say Briggs has a horrible deal or gets an attitude or, for some reason, just doesn't work out this season, and the Bears want to move on without him. They can. Simple as that. Take the proration of the signing bonus and subtract it from what they would save in roster and workout bonuses as well as his 2009 base, and the Bears actually would come out $2.8 million ahead. Astounding. It's what is known as a can't-lose deal for the Bears. They're protected.