The Facts: Following up on the previous item. ... The Cardinals are believed to have made Fitzgerald's agent, Eugene Parker, a multi-year offer that would make Fitzgerald the highest paid receiver in the NFL. The two sides, however, appear no closer to a deal than they were before meeting here this week.

Diehards Line:Fitzgerald, four years into his six-year rookie contract, achieved incentive clauses that will push his salary to $14.6 million in 2008 and $17.1 million in 2009. Not surprisingly, Cardinals officials say they can't accommodate Fitzgerald's salary and still have the space needed to attract free agents and re-sign players. "We've made it clear that we're not in an advantageous position. ... If we don't get a restructuring on this deal," GM Rod Graves said. Of course, they aren't in an advantageous position in terms of getting Fitzgerald to restructure, either. As Parker explained: "We're looking for something that works for both parties, but we were told that [Fitzgerald] was going to be a Cardinal this year no matter what and he's fine with that. ..." Nothing like dealing from a position of power. And as Republic staffer Kent Somers notes, Parker has a history of using time as an advantage, if he thinks it can create more leverage. He doesn't seem eager to consummate a deal right away.