Possible Boldin Trade a Mistake?
Kristian Wiles
April 23, 2009
Posted under Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are apparently listening to offers for their number two receiver. Let’s be clear from the start. Trading Anquan Boldin instead of restructuring his deal is a mistake. The Arizona Cardinals, who made an incredible run at the end of the season to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, are in a standstill with Boldin over contract negotiations for an extension to his 6-year, $34 million deal. Boldin wants a contract that matches his counterpart Larry Fitzgerald, who signed for $10 million a year last season.
In my view Boldin has a pretty good argument. He got a bad rap from the media and his coach for “acting up” at the end of last season. While this could be the sign of the “receiver syndrome” that infects many at his position, I don’t see it. Anquan Boldin is established, plays hard, and works hard to come back from injury. It’s not like T.O. doing sit ups in his driveway; this guy has been loyal to fans and teammates. In fact, both Warner and Fitzgerald are better with Boldin on the team.
The Cardinals had the 2nd best passing offense in the NFL last season due in large part to Boldin and Fitzgerald. As is often the case, defenses find it difficult to cover two Pro Bowl receivers at the same time. Duos like this one have often led to a trip to the Super Bowl. Some that quickly come to mind; Jerry Rice and John Taylor, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, Gary Clark and Art Monk, Issac Bruce and Torry Hult, do you see my point?
A team like the Cards, that prides itself in throwing the ball, should probably have quality receivers to throw to. If Arizona wants any chance of returning to the promised land while Kurt Warner or Matt Leinart is under center they better stick with Boldin and make him a well paid number 2 option. That said, despite my compelling argument, it looks to be pretty likely that Boldin will be leaving the desert before the start of the season.
Arizona will never receive equal value for Boldin, but most reports say they will get a combination of 1st and 3rd round picks or a player and a pick. The two teams that seem most interested are the Eagles and Giants. The Giants need to replace Plaxico Burress and the Eagles haven’t had a dominant receiver since T.O. did his best to destroy that team’s chemistry and Donavon McNabb’s spirit. As a fan of the NFC east (especially Philly), I can’t say that it would make me too upset to see Boldin heading east. Even so, the Cards are missing an opportunity for greatness by passing on Boldin.
Goodbye Boldin, goodbye title hopes, hello Cardinals business as usual.
I have to agree with you Mr. Wiles.The combination of Fitzgerald and Boldin is lethal and with Harrison out in Indy they are the best WR duo in the league! Peep this: Say the Eagles offer Sheldon Brown and a high draft pick for Boldin? If the Cards have Brown in the Super Bowl does Holmes get open for the game winning “touchdown”? The other question would be do the Cards make it to the Superbowl w/o Boldin last year? He had a good year but was injured most of the playoffs. They do have another good young receiver that they are big on in Sean Breaston. So I can see why the Cards might think a trade would be a good idea.