Anquan Boldin only the 8th best reciever in football?

[Espo]

Albert Breer of Sporting News ranked the top 40 receivers today and he had Larry Fitzgerald ranked 4th which seems about right but Anquan Boldin was ranked all the way down at number 8. I find it hard to believe that 7 wide receivers are better than Boldin.

He is a game changer and just his ability to bowl over people and his amazing toughness makes him at least a top 5 guy. He's on the list behind Terrell Owens of Dallas and Detroit’s Calvin Johnson. There is no way that this is the case.

 

[Shane]

Its all subjective. Who cares what that guy thinks?

Is there a better WR in the NFL when they catch it within the 10 and the goalline?

On the monday night pregame stuart scott mentioned that he spoke to one of the coaches and he stated that he has coached 7 or 8 PBer's in his career and Q is the best of them all. That has to include Fitz BTW since the guy would have to coach them both.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

so many of you underestimate the role that speed plays in the game of football. not only in the individual player's play on the field, but the effect that speed has on adjustments a defense needs to make.

generally speaking a defense need not adjust to account for a wr that "bowls people over." they just have to individually make certain they wrap up.

a defense does, however, have to account for speed by playing off, shifting safety help, etc.

speed dictates defensive adjustments. bowling over people impresses fans and endures players in our hearts.

that's why faster players, homerun hitters, like T.O. and calvin johnson, who are no slouches in other aspects of the game (both big with fairly good hands and acrobatic ability IN ADDITION to speed) get rated above quan.

besides, there are what, 62 starting wr's in the nfl? being #8 is no slight.

 

[Shane]

so many of you underestimate the role that speed plays in the game of football. not only in the individual player's play on the field, but the effect that speed has on adjustments a defense needs to make.

generally speaking a defense need not adjust to account for a wr that "bowls people over." they just have to individually make certain they wrap up.

a defense does, however, have to account for speed by playing off, shifting safety help, etc.

speed dictates defensive adjustments. bowling over people impresses fans and endures players in our hearts.

that's why faster players, homerun hitters, like T.O. and calvin johnson, who are no slouches in other aspects of the game (both big with fairly good hands and acrobatic ability IN ADDITION to speed) get rated above quan.

besides, there are what, 62 starting wr's in the nfl? being #8 is no slight.

All good points too. Although that doesnt defend why Fitz is #4 then? But like I said its all subjective anyway.

 

[Espo]

so many of you underestimate the role that speed plays in the game of football. not only in the individual player's play on the field, but the effect that speed has on adjustments a defense needs to make.

generally speaking a defense need not adjust to account for a wr that "bowls people over." they just have to individually make certain they wrap up.

a defense does, however, have to account for speed by playing off, shifting safety help, etc.

speed dictates defensive adjustments. bowling over people impresses fans and endures players in our hearts.

that's why faster players, homerun hitters, like T.O. and calvin johnson, who are no slouches in other aspects of the game (both big with fairly good hands and acrobatic ability IN ADDITION to speed) get rated above quan.

besides, there are what, 62 starting wr's in the nfl? being #8 is no slight.

True it's not a slight but is Fitz really better than Boldin? I am hard pressed to believe that he is. Anquan is a beast and while Fitz has made strides I'm not sure he is worthy of being considered better.

Some people seem to think he's the best receiver in the game.

http://phoenix.fanster.com/2008/11/12/is-there-really-seven-receivers-better-than-anquan-boldin/

 

[Shane]

http://www.azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=2689

 

[gusmahler]

True it's not a slight but is Fitz really better than Boldin? I am hard pressed to believe that he is. Anquan is a beast and while Fitz has made strides I'm not sure he is worthy of being considered better.

Fitz has better hands (though Quan is obviously no slouch in this department).

Fitz is taller and a better leaper.

Fitz is younger (important in terms of value of contract. No one would sign TO to a contract as valuable as Fitz's simply because TO is old, Fitz isn't). Quan isn't old, though.

Quan is better after the catch (though Fitz is improving)

Quan is more versatile (which is why he lines up in the backfield more often than #11).

Regardless of who is the "#1 receiver", we definitely have the best "#2 receiver" in the league.

 

[Shogun]

True it's not a slight but is Fitz really better than Boldin? I am hard pressed to believe that he is. Anquan is a beast and while Fitz has made strides I'm not sure he is worthy of being considered better.

Some people seem to think he's the best receiver in the game.

http://phoenix.fanster.com/2008/11/12/is-there-really-seven-receivers-better-than-anquan-boldin/

Yes. He is.

 

[dogpoo32]

Yes. He is.

You again!

 

[DoTheDew]

Its all subjective. Who cares what that guy thinks?

Is there a better WR in the NFL when they catch it within the 10 and the goalline?

On the monday night pregame stuart scott mentioned that he spoke to one of the coaches and he stated that he has coached 7 or 8 PBer's in his career and Q is the best of them all. That has to include Fitz BTW since the guy would have to coach them both.

Unless it was Dave McGinnis.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Unless it was Dave McGinnis.

Has McGinnis coached 7 or 8 pro-bowlers?

My first thought was Denny Green, but Q isn't better than Cris Carter or Moss, so it can't be him.

 

[Espo]

Yes. He is.

Honestly I'm not sure how. Boldin changes games, is willing to just destroy people by running over them and has no problem going over the middle. Add that to the fact that Boldin is starting to be used in the Wildcat formation and I think that Boldin is slightly better than Fitz as a receiver and offensive weapon.

 

[JeffGollin]

Who Cares?

There are ratings and there are ratings.

There are always going to be a few that annoy us.

And some that delight us (USA rated Q the top NFL receiver today - evidently because they based their rating on # of touchdowns).

The only rating that counts is the one generated by the eye-balls of each of us. Q makes plays. We're 6 & 3.Those are the things that count; not what some stat-guy concocts.

I think many of us spend too much time getting outraged because some media ignoramus isn't showing us enough respect. (i.e. If you really like hot fudge sundaes and some food critic blasted the taste of chocolate, would you really care)?

 

[CardLogic]

The sage of ASFN - JeffGollin!

I must say though, Terrell Owens, doesn't even belong in the conversation. Owens doesn’t rank in the top 40 in the league in catches or yards this season.

Correction, TO's stats: 42nd in receptions, 39th in receiving yards

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I think that if Q was playing in Philadelphia, Dallas, or NY he would be seen as a T.O. level player.

Ouchie you want to point to speed and it having to be factored in but numbers are numbers are numbers. If you are getting to Pro Bowls with one arm and running a 5.2 who really cares what is leading to that? The probelm with your assessment is that you are getting caught up in workout numbers and 40 times and then combining that with production and percieved continued production. Which is the same mistake GM's make year after year and produces bust after bust.

Now departed Lions WR Charles Rogers (and Roy Williams for that matter) are absolute physical freaks who COULD be the greatest WR of all time. But are they? hell no. Jerry Rice is widely considered the best WR of all time. Who was he out running?

Q is a football player and with his leading the league in TD's, fastest to (insert number here) receptions, rookie first game record, and on and on I think he is WAY undervalued for where he sits in the league. And thats not even including the fact that unlike most WR's he is not concerned with just himself (contract desires aside) and literally is a team guy and is all fire and brimstone.

It makes me sick when "scouts" appealing to the same logic as Ouchie, go and say things like Andre Johnson is the best WR in the league. Really? Based on what - his 40 time? His length? Outside of one 4 game stretch he doesn't even belong in the same clubhouse as Q. I am so tired of the potential tag determining who is the "best" player.

Like I said if Q was playing somewhere else he would be diefied on Owen's level. Instead he we have to "settle" for him here.

Give me numbers. Give me Q. You can keep Andre Johnson.

 

[red desert]

I think that if Q was playing in Philadelphia, Dallas, or NY he would be seen as a T.O. level player.

Ouchie you want to point to speed and it having to be factored in but numbers are numbers are numbers. If you are getting to Pro Bowls with one arm and running a 5.2 who really cares what is leading to that? The probelm with your assessment is that you are getting caught up in workout numbers and 40 times and then combining that with production and percieved continued production. Which is the same mistake GM's make year after year and produces bust after bust.

Now departed Lions WR Charles Rogers (and Roy Williams for that matter) are absolute physical freaks who COULD be the greatest WR of all time. But are they? hell no. Jerry Rice is widely considered the best WR of all time. Who was he out running?

Q is a football player and with his leading the league in TD's, fastest to (insert number here) receptions, rookie first game record, and on and on I think he is WAY undervalued for where he sits in the league. And thats not even including the fact that unlike most WR's he is not concerned with just himself (contract desires aside) and literally is a team guy and is all fire and brimstone.

It makes me sick when "scouts" appealing to the same logic as Ouchie, go and say things like Andre Johnson is the best WR in the league. Really? Based on what - his 40 time? His length? Outside of one 4 game stretch he doesn't even belong in the same clubhouse as Q. I am so tired of the potential tag determining who is the "best" player.

Like I said if Q was playing somewhere else he would be diefied on Owen's level. Instead he we have to "settle" for him here.

Give me numbers. Give me Q. You can keep Andre Johnson.

I was going to respond to Ouchie's post (in disagreement) but I couldn't have said it any better.

Well done.

Jeff mentions in his post "eye ball test." Nothing else should matter, really. And my eyes tell me Q is the best. Better than FItz, better than Johnson, better than TO.

 

[earthsci]

Its all subjective. Who cares what that guy thinks?

Who cares what anyone thinks about anything? If we win they can say we suck all they want. They can say Anquan is the worst, it will just piss him off anyway.

 

[DoTheDew]

Has McGinnis coached 7 or 8 pro-bowlers?

My first thought was Denny Green, but Q isn't better than Cris Carter or Moss, so it can't be him.

He coached Boldin, Simeon Rice, Aeneas Williams, David Boston, Scott Player just with the Cardinals as head coach, not counting the people he coached as an assistant with AZ, Tennesee and Chicago. I know he was Mike Singletary's LB coach for part of his career.

I would guess Denny Green has coached way more then 8 Pro Bowlers since he had Fitz, Boldin, Berry, Rackers just with the Cardinals and Culpepper, Moss, Carter, Korey Stringer, Matt Birk, and Robert Griffith were all in the pro bowl just in 2001. Thats already 9 and he had another 10 years with the vikings and all those years as an assistant for the 49ers.

 

[Shane]

He coached Boldin, Simeon Rice, Aeneas Williams, David Boston, Scott Player just with the Cardinals as head coach, not counting the people he coached as an assistant with AZ, Tennesee and Chicago. I know he was Mike Singletary's LB coach for part of his career.

I would guess Denny Green has coached way more then 8 Pro Bowlers since he had Fitz, Boldin, Berry, Rackers just with the Cardinals and Culpepper, Moss, Carter, Korey Stringer, Matt Birk, and Robert Griffith were all in the pro bowl just in 2001. Thats already 9 and he had another 10 years with the vikings and all those years as an assistant for the 49ers.

Stuart Scott stated as though he interviwed that coach during this week in AZ. WOuld leave me to believe he was referring to a current coach on the roster.

 

[DoTheDew]

Stuart Scott stated as though he interviwed that coach during this week in AZ. WOuld leave me to believe he was referring to a current coach on the roster.

Well I guess the point is that it really doesn't mean anything unless we know what pro-bowlers this coach has coached. Although that does show that whoever it was likes Boldin better than Fitz.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

He coached Boldin, Simeon Rice, Aeneas Williams, David Boston, Scott Player just with the Cardinals as head coach, not counting the people he coached as an assistant with AZ, Tennesee and Chicago. I know he was Mike Singletary's LB coach for part of his career.

I would guess Denny Green has coached way more then 8 Pro Bowlers since he had Fitz, Boldin, Berry, Rackers just with the Cardinals and Culpepper, Moss, Carter, Korey Stringer, Matt Birk, and Robert Griffith were all in the pro bowl just in 2001. Thats already 9 and he had another 10 years with the vikings and all those years as an assistant for the 49ers.

I took it as he has coached 7 or 8 PB WR's. (either assistant or head coaching)

 

[Skkorpion]

To back up Ouchie's point about speed: Moving Steve Breaston into the # 3 Wr spot has put a deep speed threat on the field for us. No other WR on our roster could have beaten the safety deep on that bomb in the 3rd quarter.

Also, have you noticed how often Breaston has drawn safety help on him? Steve is already making Boldin's life easier, as teams refuse to take the double coverage off Fitz.

 

[red desert]

To back up Ouchie's point about speed: Moving Steve Breaston into the # 3 Wr spot has put a deep speed threat on the field for us. No other WR on our roster could have beaten the safety deep on that bomb in the 3rd quarter.

Also, have you noticed how often Breaston has drawn safety help on him? Steve is already making Boldin's life easier, as teams refuse to take the double coverage off Fitz.

That's all find and dandy. But here's the thing...

Boldin is doing this season what he's done every year since he's been in the league. And that is, dominate the opposition.

He's done it without fitz.
He's done it without Breaston.
He's done it without Warner.
He's done it without Wiz.
He's done it without Edge.
He's done it without Hightower.


Hell, he's done it with Josh as his QB.

So folks, stop with the rationalizations. Submit to the truth.

Q is one of the top three WRs in the history of the NFL.

Heck, I about ready to proclaim him THEE BEST WR ever!!!!!!

That's right. EVER!!!!

 

[Treesquid PhD]

Q is under rated mainly because he plays in AZ, which speak even louder to the recognition Fitz gets despite being in AZ. Q has more fan friendly qualities that endure him to the common joe six pack fan, but Fitz is widely considered better than Q in almost every national list, how can someone explain and AZ negative bais when his teammate should be getting an even worse bias "because he isn't as good" right?

 

[Treesquid PhD]

That's all find and dandy. But here's the thing...

Boldin is doing this season what he's done every year since he's been in the league. And that is, dominate the opposition.

He's done it without fitz.
He's done it without Breaston.
He's done it without Warner.
He's done it without Wiz.
He's done it without Edge.
He's done it without Hightower.


Hell, he's done it with Josh as his QB.

So folks, stop with the rationalizations. Submit to the truth.

Q is one of the top three WRs in the history of the NFL.

Heck, I about ready to proclaim him THEE BEST WR ever!!!!!!

That's right. EVER!!!!

Wishful thinking, the Cardinals have historically won without Q time and time again, his impact is much less than those who would be considered the best in history.