Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Q:
The person who probably knows better than anyone just how in earnest the Cardinals were in trading Q is the Bears' GM Jerry Angleo. He made his offer of the #49 pick in this past draft for Q public. We know the Cardinals refused that offer. The question is: did the Cardinals, in response to Angelo's offer, try to ask for a player and/or another draft pick to go along with the #49 pick? If they did try to work with Angelo, then the Cardinals were in earnest about making a deal. If they flatly refused the offer without a counter proposal, the Cardinals were very probably not in eanest about trading Q....which is what Q believes, for right or for wrong.
Dan Bickley reported in his Sunday's column that Q feels "embarrassed" about the questionable way in which the Cardinals went about their so-called intention to "listen" to trade offers.
If Bickley is right and one certainly has every reason to believe he is, then Q's situation with the Cardinals is even more acrimonious than it has ever been.
Add to this scenario the comments Ken Whisenhunt made about Q's and DD's "seasonal allergies." If you recall, Q was extremely unhappy with Whisenhunt last year for meddling in his negotiations. Chances are very likley that Q's disdain for Whisenhunt and the entire Cardinal adminstration is hitting an all-time crescendo.
Furthermore, the thought of playing another year under the same old contract after being further humiliated by the organization is not the least bit palatable for him. This is what prompted him to say that he did not know what he would do regarding the rest of the off-season and training camp.
This scenario is getting uglier and more imminent by the minute.
So, what is the most likely resolution?
First of all, it strongly appears that Q's situation with the Cardinals is now irreparable. Even if the Cardinals were to offer Q a new contract, he would scoff at that attempt now (unless it's for Fitz money...and we know that ain't gonna happen), because it would be below what he believes he's worth and he would feel as if the Cardinals manipulated a lower offer through their recent perfunctory trade offer "listenings" and what those little offers meant to the perception of Q's value around the league.
Can Boldin withstand another year played under his current contract for an organization he absolutely abhors? Q got through last year because in his mind he was auditioning for a trade. This year will be much much harder and might even be impossible.
In my opinion, Q is so deserate to leave Arizona that he will tell Rosenhaus that he will accept a trade in which he will play for his new team under his current contract for this year, with the intention of negotiating on a new deal next spring before the last year of his current contract expires.
If this is the tact that Q and Rosenhaus adopt, and if the Cardinals are still willing to "listen" to trade offers, we will then know what Q's real market value is in terms of a trade (Note: it is not fair to judge Q's value around the league based on what teams would have had to give up for Boldin and what they would have to pay him immediately...if he takes the immediate new contract out of the equation, he becomes an instant bargain for a contender). Under these terms, I can imagine Q will have numerous suitors and the Cardinals will be in a position to trade Q for the kind of value they want in return.
At this point what kind of a deal would be of interest to the Cardinals? I could see a scenario where a player or two and a 2010 2nd round pick (with the condition that it becomes a 1st round pick if Q leads their team in receptions, or surpasses 1,000 yards, or is selected to the Pro Bowl again).
For example, what if the Ravens were to offer OLB Antwan Barnes, C Chris Chester and their 2010 2nd rounder (conditional on being a 1st, as mentioned before)? Barnes would give the Cardinals a good young pass rusher who already has two years of experience, thus filling an immediate need. Chester would challenge Lyle Sendelin for the starting center spot and make the offensive line depth stronger. And the draft pick could still be a first rounder.
Is this a deal the Ravens could propose? While they would hate to give up Antwan Barnes, who is Terrell Suggs' backup on the right side and situational rusher in the nickel, he and the draft pick would be the keys to the deal. Chester is more expendable in the sense that the Ravens signed Matt Birk as their starting center and they can kick G Jason Brown down to center if Birk gets injured. And let's not forget that the Ravens did not come out of this draft with a WR, having elected to take T Michael Oher with the #26 pick (still reeling over losing out on TE Brandon Pettigrew who went to the Lions at #20). Adding Boldin would be a coup for them and just what they need and would catapault them into being perceived as serious Super Bowl contenders.
This is just one trade scenario to ponder. There probably would be several others. Come up with one yourself. I'd love to hear any proposals you could think of.
KD:
Dansby said this past weekend that he's "not worried about" his contract. Yup. That's a fact. He's not worried about his contract because all indications are he has no intention of working out a new contract this year. He wants his cool guaranteed $9M for this year, and then he wants to "make a splash" in free agency next year.
Unfortunately, it looks like the Cardinals are going to have to bite the bullet on this one. They didn't sign a free agent LB to be the heir apparent to Dansby yet, although they might make a strong pitch to sign Larry Foote when he gets released as expected by the Steelers. The Cardinals did not draft an ILB. Thus, Dansby will stay and will be playing his last year in Arizona. He should be highly motivated, seeing as he is rolling the dice on what he will be able to earn in a contract next year, and this is a calculated risk, especially when he is turning down what could amount to be close to $20M in guanteed money over the duration of a new contract.
DD:
Status quo all the way with Dockett. He is signed through 2011, and the Cardinals, unlike with the Q situation, have been adamant with Dockett that they have no intention of redoing his deal.
Will Dockett sit out and make a huge fuss? If the Q situation remains in flux, Dockett will have company...but if Q is traded, Dockett would be acting as a lone wolf, and that would be harder for him to pull off.
Would the Cardinals consider trading Dockett? No, not unless they got a 34DE in return that they think would be comparable in ability and production...and the likelihood of that is slim.
AW:
This is the one deal that gets done. It's AW's turn to cash in on a new deal. He's earned it, he's been patient and he's heading into the last year of his contract. The new contract will make him a Cardinal for life, and will likely be a 5 year deal with guaranteed money in the teens.
And the beat rolls on...Mitc
The person who probably knows better than anyone just how in earnest the Cardinals were in trading Q is the Bears' GM Jerry Angleo. He made his offer of the #49 pick in this past draft for Q public. We know the Cardinals refused that offer. The question is: did the Cardinals, in response to Angelo's offer, try to ask for a player and/or another draft pick to go along with the #49 pick? If they did try to work with Angelo, then the Cardinals were in earnest about making a deal. If they flatly refused the offer without a counter proposal, the Cardinals were very probably not in eanest about trading Q....which is what Q believes, for right or for wrong.
Dan Bickley reported in his Sunday's column that Q feels "embarrassed" about the questionable way in which the Cardinals went about their so-called intention to "listen" to trade offers.
If Bickley is right and one certainly has every reason to believe he is, then Q's situation with the Cardinals is even more acrimonious than it has ever been.
Add to this scenario the comments Ken Whisenhunt made about Q's and DD's "seasonal allergies." If you recall, Q was extremely unhappy with Whisenhunt last year for meddling in his negotiations. Chances are very likley that Q's disdain for Whisenhunt and the entire Cardinal adminstration is hitting an all-time crescendo.
Furthermore, the thought of playing another year under the same old contract after being further humiliated by the organization is not the least bit palatable for him. This is what prompted him to say that he did not know what he would do regarding the rest of the off-season and training camp.
This scenario is getting uglier and more imminent by the minute.
So, what is the most likely resolution?
First of all, it strongly appears that Q's situation with the Cardinals is now irreparable. Even if the Cardinals were to offer Q a new contract, he would scoff at that attempt now (unless it's for Fitz money...and we know that ain't gonna happen), because it would be below what he believes he's worth and he would feel as if the Cardinals manipulated a lower offer through their recent perfunctory trade offer "listenings" and what those little offers meant to the perception of Q's value around the league.
Can Boldin withstand another year played under his current contract for an organization he absolutely abhors? Q got through last year because in his mind he was auditioning for a trade. This year will be much much harder and might even be impossible.
In my opinion, Q is so deserate to leave Arizona that he will tell Rosenhaus that he will accept a trade in which he will play for his new team under his current contract for this year, with the intention of negotiating on a new deal next spring before the last year of his current contract expires.
If this is the tact that Q and Rosenhaus adopt, and if the Cardinals are still willing to "listen" to trade offers, we will then know what Q's real market value is in terms of a trade (Note: it is not fair to judge Q's value around the league based on what teams would have had to give up for Boldin and what they would have to pay him immediately...if he takes the immediate new contract out of the equation, he becomes an instant bargain for a contender). Under these terms, I can imagine Q will have numerous suitors and the Cardinals will be in a position to trade Q for the kind of value they want in return.
At this point what kind of a deal would be of interest to the Cardinals? I could see a scenario where a player or two and a 2010 2nd round pick (with the condition that it becomes a 1st round pick if Q leads their team in receptions, or surpasses 1,000 yards, or is selected to the Pro Bowl again).
For example, what if the Ravens were to offer OLB Antwan Barnes, C Chris Chester and their 2010 2nd rounder (conditional on being a 1st, as mentioned before)? Barnes would give the Cardinals a good young pass rusher who already has two years of experience, thus filling an immediate need. Chester would challenge Lyle Sendelin for the starting center spot and make the offensive line depth stronger. And the draft pick could still be a first rounder.
Is this a deal the Ravens could propose? While they would hate to give up Antwan Barnes, who is Terrell Suggs' backup on the right side and situational rusher in the nickel, he and the draft pick would be the keys to the deal. Chester is more expendable in the sense that the Ravens signed Matt Birk as their starting center and they can kick G Jason Brown down to center if Birk gets injured. And let's not forget that the Ravens did not come out of this draft with a WR, having elected to take T Michael Oher with the #26 pick (still reeling over losing out on TE Brandon Pettigrew who went to the Lions at #20). Adding Boldin would be a coup for them and just what they need and would catapault them into being perceived as serious Super Bowl contenders.
This is just one trade scenario to ponder. There probably would be several others. Come up with one yourself. I'd love to hear any proposals you could think of.
KD:
Dansby said this past weekend that he's "not worried about" his contract. Yup. That's a fact. He's not worried about his contract because all indications are he has no intention of working out a new contract this year. He wants his cool guaranteed $9M for this year, and then he wants to "make a splash" in free agency next year.
Unfortunately, it looks like the Cardinals are going to have to bite the bullet on this one. They didn't sign a free agent LB to be the heir apparent to Dansby yet, although they might make a strong pitch to sign Larry Foote when he gets released as expected by the Steelers. The Cardinals did not draft an ILB. Thus, Dansby will stay and will be playing his last year in Arizona. He should be highly motivated, seeing as he is rolling the dice on what he will be able to earn in a contract next year, and this is a calculated risk, especially when he is turning down what could amount to be close to $20M in guanteed money over the duration of a new contract.
DD:
Status quo all the way with Dockett. He is signed through 2011, and the Cardinals, unlike with the Q situation, have been adamant with Dockett that they have no intention of redoing his deal.
Will Dockett sit out and make a huge fuss? If the Q situation remains in flux, Dockett will have company...but if Q is traded, Dockett would be acting as a lone wolf, and that would be harder for him to pull off.
Would the Cardinals consider trading Dockett? No, not unless they got a 34DE in return that they think would be comparable in ability and production...and the likelihood of that is slim.
AW:
This is the one deal that gets done. It's AW's turn to cash in on a new deal. He's earned it, he's been patient and he's heading into the last year of his contract. The new contract will make him a Cardinal for life, and will likely be a 5 year deal with guaranteed money in the teens.
And the beat rolls on...Mitc
