Bickley - It's time for Boldin's pity party to end

[82CardsGrad]

The NFL has never been a cornerstone of justice. Through cunning and brute force, you take whatever you can get. [FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Anquan [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Boldin[/FONT][/FONT], who never resented the man who shattered his face in New York, should know this better than anyone.
Except the Cardinals' Pro Bowl wide receiver is blinded by anger, or jealousy, or greed. He should know the cost of his actions.

As a child in Chicago, I loved the stinky Bears for one reason: the singular toughness and greatness of Walter Payton. His nobility made losing bearable. The punishment he dished out on defenders was enough retribution to get us all through the week. For years, football fans in Arizona felt the same way about Boldin and the Cardinals. Along with [FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Adrian [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Wilson[/FONT][/FONT], Boldin is the foundation on which the current team stands.

But as his pity party continues, the love affair is ending. People are getting tired of Boldin's sour mood, and by design, his Q rating is plummeting. He's trying to make you, me and the team so sick of him that he must be traded elsewhere. What a terrible way to go.

Look, Boldin's beef with the Cardinals organization is surely legitimate, and I'm sure the facts support his case. He's long been an underpaid contributor, and the Cardinals have often been a heartless organization.

Boldin is most angry with General Manager Rod Graves, alleged to have made contractual vows he had no intention of keeping. And in the end, we all understand the great inequity at wide receiver, how [FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Larry [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Fitzgerald[/FONT][/FONT] has banked $50 million in bonus money, and that his most recent contract effectively prevented the Cardinals from giving Boldin what he deserved.
But that's life. That's football. And in a league that will break your face any given Sunday, it's a bit hollow for Boldin to get hung up on a broken promise.

With his leverage reduced to a water pistol, Boldin should stop this fight immediately. His sulking is getting old, and he may have just lied to the team to avoid practicing in the first minicamp. This stuff adds up. He needs to smell the roses, and note the shifting winds.

Boldin should realize he has no chance of winning sympathy. Not in this economy, and not after the team ripped up his original contract earlier in the decade, rewarding him with $10 million in bonus money. Boldin took the short-term security then, diminishing his case in 2009.

It should be enough to Boldin that this team has a special window of opportunity. If he comes back and plays with a pure heart, the Cardinals are good enough to return to the Super Bowl. If he swallows his pride and honors his contract, it can be his team again. He can restore his good name and get that big money in the near future. Come on, Q. This should be the time of our lives.

It's not fair that rookie Matthew Stafford will deposit $41.9 million in bonuses. It's not fair that Ken Whisenhunt coached his team to the Super Bowl in 2009, and is scheduled to earn less than new Chiefs head coach [FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Todd [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Haley[/FONT][/FONT], a former Cardinals assistant.

But the market waits for no one. The market doesn't care about justice. And neither does the game of football.
"Given where we are, in this economy, this is not the right time to be talking about money," Whisenhunt said.
If only Boldin could find a moment to utter those words.

 

[Trey]

It's not fair that rookie Matthew Stafford will deposit $41.9 million in bonuses. It's not fair that Ken Whisenhunt coached his team to the Super Bowl in 2009, and is scheduled to earn less than new Chiefs head coach [FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Todd [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Haley[/FONT][/FONT], a former Cardinals assistant.

Someone please tape this to Q's locker...

 

[azsouthendzone]

Great article by the Bickster.

 

[WildBB]

True enough. Including calling out Graves and the orgs. dealings many times.

It should also be noted that they gave him the 10M when there was no one else to peg that money to at the time. It didn't cost the org. much to give it to a rising star at that time.

 

[TJ]

Ususally, I see Bick play devil's advocate in these situations, but he's been directly and indirectly going after Q the last couple articles he's written.

 

[moklerman]

It's not fair that Ken Whisenhunt coached his team to the Super Bowl in 2009, and is scheduled to earn less than new Chiefs head coach [FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Todd [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Haley[/FONT][/FONT], a former Cardinals assistant.

Hah! That should be the first thing anyone mentions when this topic inevitably comes up.

I want Boldin to stay but the party's over. He gave it a shot but needs to **** now. He has NO ground to stand on and if he keeps it up, he might as well change his name to Anquan Ocho Uno if he's going to act this way.

 

[BW52]

trade his whiny self now.Enough crying about how mistreated and disrespected ( 3.75 million dollars ) he is. I have been a Card fan for 40 plus years and have heard the " cheap" Bidwill routine for years.It doesn`t wash this time IMO.Not with Q,Dockett or Dansby.Q and Dockett are making damn good money so they need to **** and honor their contracts or be traded before they become bigger headaches.IMO trade both of them now.Dansby is as sure as gone because some ******* ( Jerry Jones or Dan Snyder will throw ***** money at him).The Cards will still be around long after the Boldins,Docketts and Dansbys are gone.

 

[lobo]

The NFL has never been a cornerstone of justice. Through cunning and brute force, you take whatever you can get.
If only Boldin could find a moment to utter those words.

Being a Chicagoan as well, and a Chicago Cardinal fan! Nice piece but I disagree regarding any empathy for him...outstanding player....yes...leader...yes, but no one forced him into the contract. He wanted the security and max out bonus situation. You must recall how Jerry Reinsdorf tried to convince Oakley not to sign a long term deal..no?

Just because some members of society sees nothing wrong with not living up to the terms of a deal does not make it right. I am delighted to see many of the posters have little empathy for some of the teams leading whiners who want a trade or renegotiate and use the media to get their point across.

 

[JeffGollin]

Immodest Proposal...

Take all revenues (visible and hidden) and place it in the middle of a field in a huge pile of small bills.

Place every member of the Cardinal organization (owners, executives, coaches and players) around the edge of the field.

At the sound of the whistle, let them all run to the pile and grab - piggy-like - as much money as they possibly can.

Come to think of it - we could let ESPN televise it as a trash-sport.

I am mad at Bidwill. I am mad at Graves. I am mad at Q. I am mad at Dockett. I am mad at Rosenhaus.

I don't care anymore - let them duke it out for every dollar they can get their greedy little hands on.

 

[cgolden]

wow....I never expected to see someone in the local media call out Q so directly. It just goes to show the damage that he's done over the past two seasons.

 

[Totally_Red]

Bickley get over yourself. Where's the outrage over Dockett who has pulled the exact same shenanigans?



There is always seems to be an excuse for Rod Graves not doing his job and getting all these deals negotiated. I don't totally blame him for Dansby who mysteriously pulled the plug with his former agent on the brink of a lucrative deal for him. But what exactly takes him forever and a day to get this stuff done? Four weeks with Fitz last season. It dragged on forever with Kurt to the point where even the national media was questioning the Cardinals.

Does he have to get upper management agreement on every little detail? Git 'er done Rod!

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Bickley get over yourself. Where's the outrage over Dockett who has pulled the exact same shenanigans?



There is always seems to be an excuse for Rod Graves not doing his job and getting all these deals negotiated. I don't totally blame him for Dansby who mysteriously pulled the plug with his former agent on the brink of a lucrative deal for him. But what exactly takes him forever and a day to get this stuff done? Four weeks with Fitz last season. It dragged on forever with Kurt to the point where even the national media was questioning the Cardinals.

Does he have to get upper management agreement on every little detail? Git 'er done Rod!

Little detail?

The expenditure of millions of dollars in bonuses is not a small detail in the Bidwll household.

 

[joeshmo]

Bickley get over yourself. Where's the outrage over Dockett who has pulled the exact same shenanigans?

Why are people so suprised that Boldin gets the bulk of it. For one Boldin has been far more vocal, Two, the higher you are the further the fall, three Boldin is Bickleys (and the fans) favorite player by far, so is it any wonder that he would want to write a editorial about his frustrations on that topic?

He was bashing Dockett on the radio as well, but he can only write one story at a time.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

"Come on Q, This should be the time of our lives."

My feelings, exactly.

I know I'm just a simple fan who doesn't know all the in's and out's of contracts and agents and negotiations. But personally, if I were in Q's situation and was aware of Fitz's contract I'd be on the phone to Fitz's agent saying, "Hey! Can we talk?"

 

[Duckjake]

There is always seems to be an excuse for Rod Graves not doing his job and getting all these deals negotiated. I don't totally blame him for Dansby who mysteriously pulled the plug with his former agent on the brink of a lucrative deal for him. But what exactly takes him forever and a day to get this stuff done? Four weeks with Fitz last season. It dragged on forever with Kurt to the point where even the national media was questioning the Cardinals.

We also need to be on the Cards for contributing to the atmosphere that has led to the current situation. (Boldin is most angry with General Manager Rod Graves, alleged to have made contractual vows he had no intention of keeping.)

Surely there are consultants or experts who could have helped Arizona deal with these players situations without causing all this animosity.

If these were the first such situations in the last few years I'd be more inclined to be on the Cards side knowing that these things often come with success, but contentious contract negotiations have been around the Cards for a long time.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Where's the outrage over Dockett who has pulled the exact same shenanigans?

Boldin has a special place in many Cardinals' fans hearts. He was the spark that started all of this. For 3 years, Boldin was the team.

 

[Duckjake]

Boldin has a special place in many Cardinals' fans hearts. He was the spark that started all of this. For 3 years, Boldin was the team.

Still does in mine. Football and money are two separate things. As long as he performs and doesn't run afoul of the law I don't care how much he complains.

The exact same situation existed last season with Dansby,Dockett and with Boldin went on all Summer. Didn't impact our season one iota.

You guys call 'em crybabies and whiners (not you Rugby). I'm going to call them 2008 NFC Champions. I've waited 45 years for that and the business as usual contract squabbles aren't going to ruin it for me.

 

[SoCal Cardfan]

I wish every position in the league had a set salary.

If they're as good as they think they are, Nike and Gatorade etc.. will show them the love (cash) they so desperately need.

 

[Renz]

We also need to be on the Cards for contributing to the atmosphere that has led to the current situation. (Boldin is most angry with General Manager Rod Graves, alleged to have made contractual vows he had no intention of keeping.)

Surely there are consultants or experts who could have helped Arizona deal with these players situations without causing all this animosity.

If these were the first such situations in the last few years I'd be more inclined to be on the Cards side knowing that these things often come with success, but contentious contract negotiations have been around the Cards for a long time.

At the same time. the Cardinals re-did both Boldin's and Dockett's rookie deals before they were up. Now both are back WAY before their current contracts expire with their hands out again for more bonus money.

 

[Duckjake]

At the same time. the Cardinals re-did both Boldin's and Dockett's rookie deals before they were up. Now both are back WAY before their current contracts expire with their hands out again for more bonus money.

I understand that but surely the situation could have been handled without the animosity. Or maybe I'm wrong and this is just par for the course for this agent.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

At the same time. the Cardinals re-did both Boldin's and Dockett's rookie deals before they were up. Now both are back WAY before their current contracts expire with their hands out again for more bonus money.

The Cards re-upped both of them as a solid investment in the future, not out of the goodness of the hearts.

It is generally agreed that Boldin is grossly underpaid in the present market, and only the tackle who just signed for $100M has more sacks than DD in the past two seasons. One more to be exact.

Granted, it is too early to redo DD, but... Boldin is certainly close to the due date.

 

[NuttinButTDs]

The Cards re-upped both of them as a solid investment in the future, not out of the goodness of the hearts.

It is generally agreed that Boldin is grossly underpaid in the present market, and only the tackle who just signed for $100M has more sacks than DD in the past two seasons. One more to be exact.

Granted, it is too early to redo DD, but... Boldin is certainly close to the due date.

Even the FO agrees with you on Boldin. They have tried negotiating but will not give Boldin 9-10M a year. Negotiating is a two way street, but Boldin's camp seems to be hell bent on getting out of here. If they want out of here, play out your contract and leave.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Even the FO agrees with you on Boldin. They have tried negotiating but will not give Boldin 9-10M a year. Negotiating is a two way street, but Boldin's camp seems to be hell bent on getting out of here. If they want out of here, play out your contract and leave.

The 9-10M figure has never been officially confirmed, or denied. Although, frankly - it is certainly not incumbent on the parties to let the public know.

 

[Feeble Mcjackson]

great article except for the tired economy argument. It wont effect fans one bit, just the owners bottom line. this is just a cheap way to get the have nots to be bitter about the haves

 

[john h]

The NFL has never been a cornerstone of justice. Through cunning and brute force, you take whatever you can get. [FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Anquan [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Boldin[/FONT][/FONT], who never resented the man who shattered his face in New York, should know this better than anyone.
Except the Cardinals' Pro Bowl wide receiver is blinded by anger, or jealousy, or greed. He should know the cost of his actions.

As a child in Chicago, I loved the stinky Bears for one reason: the singular toughness and greatness of Walter Payton. His nobility made losing bearable. The punishment he dished out on defenders was enough retribution to get us all through the week. For years, football fans in Arizona felt the same way about Boldin and the Cardinals. Along with [FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Adrian [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Wilson[/FONT][/FONT], Boldin is the foundation on which the current team stands.

But as his pity party continues, the love affair is ending. People are getting tired of Boldin's sour mood, and by design, his Q rating is plummeting. He's trying to make you, me and the team so sick of him that he must be traded elsewhere. What a terrible way to go.

Look, Boldin's beef with the Cardinals organization is surely legitimate, and I'm sure the facts support his case. He's long been an underpaid contributor, and the Cardinals have often been a heartless organization.

Boldin is most angry with General Manager Rod Graves, alleged to have made contractual vows he had no intention of keeping. And in the end, we all understand the great inequity at wide receiver, how [FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Larry [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Fitzgerald[/FONT][/FONT] has banked $50 million in bonus money, and that his most recent contract effectively prevented the Cardinals from giving Boldin what he deserved.
But that's life. That's football. And in a league that will break your face any given Sunday, it's a bit hollow for Boldin to get hung up on a broken promise.

With his leverage reduced to a water pistol, Boldin should stop this fight immediately. His sulking is getting old, and he may have just lied to the team to avoid practicing in the first minicamp. This stuff adds up. He needs to smell the roses, and note the shifting winds.

Boldin should realize he has no chance of winning sympathy. Not in this economy, and not after the team ripped up his original contract earlier in the decade, rewarding him with $10 million in bonus money. Boldin took the short-term security then, diminishing his case in 2009.

It should be enough to Boldin that this team has a special window of opportunity. If he comes back and plays with a pure heart, the Cardinals are good enough to return to the Super Bowl. If he swallows his pride and honors his contract, it can be his team again. He can restore his good name and get that big money in the near future. Come on, Q. This should be the time of our lives.

It's not fair that rookie Matthew Stafford will deposit $41.9 million in bonuses. It's not fair that Ken Whisenhunt coached his team to the Super Bowl in 2009, and is scheduled to earn less than new Chiefs head coach [FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Todd [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Haley[/FONT][/FONT], a former Cardinals assistant.

But the market waits for no one. The market doesn't care about justice. And neither does the game of football.
"Given where we are, in this economy, this is not the right time to be talking about money," Whisenhunt said.
If only Boldin could find a moment to utter those words.

I come from an era where a contract is a contract. If both parties want to enter into a agreement to renegotiate a contract that is fine but for either party to just up and demand a new contract generally makes no sense in the real world. Perhaps in todays world but no in my world. Grown men with agents who are often lawyers draw up these contracts and both parties sign them. Has a team ever demanded a player play for less and screem to the public when he want take less.