denverbirdfan
thanks for flying
Here is my take, as a lifelong diehard St. Louis/Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals fan:
Anquan Boldin is 28. He is an extremely talented and driven individual who, through hard work, determination and talent, has made himself into one of the best wide receivers in football.
In 2003-2004, his rookie year, he had 101 catches and was the only rookie selected to the Pro Bowl. He was named 2004 Offensive Rookie of the Year. He has set NFL records for most yards in a rookie's first game (217), for the most receptions in the first 26 games of an NFL career (157), for the fastest player ever to catch 300 balls (47 games), and for the fastest player ever to catch 400 balls (67 games).
In 2005, he was injured and missed some games. Nevertheless, he still was able to catch more
In 2005, Boldin was injured and missed part of the season but yet still was able to catch more than 100 passes for over 1,400 yards. He did this even though teammate Larry Fitzgerald also caught over 100 balls.
In 2006, Boldin caught 83 balls for over 1,200 yards.
In 2007, in playing in 12 games, still caught 71 balls for 853 yards and 9 touchdowns.
In 2008, again playing in 12 games, managed to catch 89 balls for 1,038 yards and 11 touchdowns.
He has been named to the Pro Bowl three times: 2004, 2007, and 2009.
On September 28, 2008, he was carted off the field after a violent helmet-to-helmet collision in the end zone against the New York Jets, knocking him unconscious. The Cardinals were losing that game 56-35, with 27 seconds remaining, and despite catching 10 balls for 119 yards and a touchdown, Boldin still went across the middle in an attempt to score. He sustained fractured paranasal sinuses. He literally broke his face.
Regardless, Boldin refused any pain medication, underwent surgery on his face, and missed only 2 games. He returned, and on December 7, 2008, became the first player in Arizona Cardinal franchise history to gain 1,000 receiving yards in four consecutive seasons.
The Cardinals, realizing after 2005 that Boldin's contract was a joke compared to his production, gave him a raise to the tune of 4 years and $22.75 million.
Since then, Boldin's productivity has remained extremely high and his work ethic has remained strong.
Boldin says that the Cardinals promised him another raise before the start of the 2008 season.
I believe him. I believe him because he has consistently, and over several years now, given his heart and soul to this franchise. If he says the Cardinals promised him a raise and then broke that promise, I believe him.
In response to this broken promise, Boldin was mad. He has asked to be traded to a different team, and stated he would never sign with the Cardinals again.
To me, he has earned the ability to say these things. Despite the unbelievable ability of Larry Fitzgerald, Boldin was only 11 catches and one touchdown shy of matching Larry's 2008 regular season numbers, in four fewer games than Fitzgerald played.
Does Boldin's performance, leadership, determination, drive, heart, and passion make him worth almost $20 million dollars less than Larry.
No, it doesn't. The Cardinals promised him a raise and renegged on that promise. Regardless, Boldin has not let up on one play.
My beef lies squarely with the Arizona Cardinals. Anquan has consistently held up his end of the bargain, and given his all to them. He believed them when they promised a raise, yet played his guts out when they broke that promise.
Pay him - "leverage" or not. He deserves it.
Anquan Boldin is 28. He is an extremely talented and driven individual who, through hard work, determination and talent, has made himself into one of the best wide receivers in football.
In 2003-2004, his rookie year, he had 101 catches and was the only rookie selected to the Pro Bowl. He was named 2004 Offensive Rookie of the Year. He has set NFL records for most yards in a rookie's first game (217), for the most receptions in the first 26 games of an NFL career (157), for the fastest player ever to catch 300 balls (47 games), and for the fastest player ever to catch 400 balls (67 games).
In 2005, he was injured and missed some games. Nevertheless, he still was able to catch more
In 2005, Boldin was injured and missed part of the season but yet still was able to catch more than 100 passes for over 1,400 yards. He did this even though teammate Larry Fitzgerald also caught over 100 balls.
In 2006, Boldin caught 83 balls for over 1,200 yards.
In 2007, in playing in 12 games, still caught 71 balls for 853 yards and 9 touchdowns.
In 2008, again playing in 12 games, managed to catch 89 balls for 1,038 yards and 11 touchdowns.
He has been named to the Pro Bowl three times: 2004, 2007, and 2009.
On September 28, 2008, he was carted off the field after a violent helmet-to-helmet collision in the end zone against the New York Jets, knocking him unconscious. The Cardinals were losing that game 56-35, with 27 seconds remaining, and despite catching 10 balls for 119 yards and a touchdown, Boldin still went across the middle in an attempt to score. He sustained fractured paranasal sinuses. He literally broke his face.
Regardless, Boldin refused any pain medication, underwent surgery on his face, and missed only 2 games. He returned, and on December 7, 2008, became the first player in Arizona Cardinal franchise history to gain 1,000 receiving yards in four consecutive seasons.
The Cardinals, realizing after 2005 that Boldin's contract was a joke compared to his production, gave him a raise to the tune of 4 years and $22.75 million.
Since then, Boldin's productivity has remained extremely high and his work ethic has remained strong.
Boldin says that the Cardinals promised him another raise before the start of the 2008 season.
I believe him. I believe him because he has consistently, and over several years now, given his heart and soul to this franchise. If he says the Cardinals promised him a raise and then broke that promise, I believe him.
In response to this broken promise, Boldin was mad. He has asked to be traded to a different team, and stated he would never sign with the Cardinals again.
To me, he has earned the ability to say these things. Despite the unbelievable ability of Larry Fitzgerald, Boldin was only 11 catches and one touchdown shy of matching Larry's 2008 regular season numbers, in four fewer games than Fitzgerald played.
Does Boldin's performance, leadership, determination, drive, heart, and passion make him worth almost $20 million dollars less than Larry.
No, it doesn't. The Cardinals promised him a raise and renegged on that promise. Regardless, Boldin has not let up on one play.
My beef lies squarely with the Arizona Cardinals. Anquan has consistently held up his end of the bargain, and given his all to them. He believed them when they promised a raise, yet played his guts out when they broke that promise.
Pay him - "leverage" or not. He deserves it.
