Sportscenter: Ravens have contacted Cardinals to offer 1st and 3rd

[Totally_Red]

There is a natural bias among football fans near draft day to trade for picks (because then you get to juice up your mocks and there's the prospect of the Cardinals winning draft day).

The problem with that line of sentiment is that the Cardinals are in business to win football games and ultimately the Super Bowl regardless of whether or not they have a draft that makes all the headlines.

Now for my bias against:

The Cardinals demonstrated last season that - given their roster at the time - they were capable of getting to the Super Bowl and almost winning it. (The only key players we've lost were Antonio Smith and Beisel, and meanwhile we picked up a few solid unheralded players who can help us plus a starting CB in McFadden); so - as of right now - we're not in horrible shape - even if there wasn't a draft.

If I had my choice between (1) having to deal with one or two minor roster changes in order to get back to the Super Bowl vs. (2) having to reshape my roster to accomodate unecessary turnover in key personnel, I'd opt for #1 because there would be fewer distractions and I could focus on making the guys we've got more effective rather than having to worry about replacing old guys and getting new guys to fit in.

Regarding "whether Boldin wants to be here", I've heard him say he wants to leave. I've heard him say he doesn't want to leave his teammates. Most recently I've heard him say he just wants the situation resolved. Which to me means: (a) other than what he's said on face value, we really don't know what Boldin means - it's either about (a) leaving, (b) staying, (c) getting the most money and/or (d) posturing to accomplish a, b and/or c.

And - if the Cardinals (like the rest of us) don't really know what Q is actually thinking, this then becomes a non-issue - the only key remaining one being: What move or non-move will benefit the Cardinals the most?

Personal opinion I think this is a big mistake. The offense already took a hit with the loss of Todd Haley. To significantly weaken the one area of overwhelming strength by trading Anquan Boldin for draft picks smacks of desperation IMO. You either work to retain the toughest player on the offense, or you don't. Tendering Leonard Pope who demonstrated a total lack of toughness last year IMO, sent the opposite message. If this trade happens it not only diminishes the team's 'toughness', but significantly degrades the passing attack.

The fact that Fitz and Warner are so vocal about keeping Bodlin speaks volumes about how they feel his departure would affect the offense. Hopefully someone in the front office comes to their senses and realizes the Cardinals window is NOW, and that the Cardinals don't need to rebuild with draft choices. This ain't Kansas City or Tampa Bay. Pay the man!!!!

Not to knock Karlos Dansby, but the guy has put together two solid (but not pro-bowl caliber) seasons following some spotty play and effort in the past. Boldin has played at a pro-bowl level since he arrived in Arizona. The Cardinals will ended up compensating Karlos at roughly twice the level as Anquan last season. What's wrong with this picture? Somebody in Cardinals management better wake the he!! up and take care of the guy.

 

[Shogun]

I still say let him play his contract out.....

 

[WildBB]

Now for my bias against:

The Cardinals demonstrated last season that - given their roster at the time - they were capable of getting to the Super Bowl and almost winning it. (The only key players we've lost were Antonio Smith and Beisel, and meanwhile we picked up a few solid unheralded players who can help us plus a starting CB in McFadden); so - as of right now - we're not in horrible shape - even if there wasn't a draft.

True, but it's much harder to duplicate the following year when your not flying under the radar so much. To get back there we are going to need to vasty improve the rushing attack or there won't be a return appearance in all likelihood. You can rest assured of that. Maybe they can take care of that w/o moving Anquan. Then I'm for it. Problem is we need to upgrade the RB position, the interior line play, possibly even LT. Then on top of that address the pass rush. This will not be an easy task with the personell at hand. Thus the trade talk. It won't surprise me if the trigger's pulled. Because if they keep Anquan others will have to be cut as well to fit his new salary figure in.

 

[Stout]

Not yet. You try to negotiate a few days longer and see if you can squeeze another draft pick this year or next as well as explore the option of seeing a deal that includes Suggs. Then you pull the trigger unless somebody comes in with an even better offer.

My guess is it will happen fairly soon. Boldin is as good as gone at this point

I agree that we should not do this deal yet, but that it might get done. If the Jets come calling with #17 and their 3rd, then yes, pull the trigger immediately. Why? Because I think either Wells and/or Moreno will be available there, and I think that's who we'd target. Why not pull the trigger right now with the Ravens? Because, as Evil Ash says, the longer you push this, the more chance you have of wringing more concessions out of the Ravens. Plus, they pick rather late in the first, so what happens if we do this trade, and then our main target with that pick is off the board? Wait until the Ravens are on the clock, and if our guy is there, then pull the trigger.

 

[Zeno]

Presumably knowing that the asking price is a first and a third

If Boldin is traded, he should go to an AFC team.

Under no circumstances should we even consider sending him to an NFC contender.

There have also been reports that the Jets are interested. If we can get the 17th pick from the Jets and keep Boldin away from an NFC rival, I would have trouble turning this down. The thought of adding Knowshon Moreno at 17 and Larry English or Darius Heyword Bay at 31 makes a whole lot of sense

This thread title is misleading, there is a lot of difference between the Ravens have contacted the Cardinals and the Ravens have offered a 1st and 3rd.

They could have called and said, "Hey Graves what do you want for Boldin"

Graves could have said, "a 1st a 3rd and player X"

At which point Baltimore said, "too steep not interested"

 

[Zeno]

The Cards would have to do this deal before the draft. They need time to adjust their draft board and figure out which players are likely to be in those slots.

A deal like this may not happen UNTIL draft day to see if the player the Cards really want is still on the board when Ravens/Jets/whoever are on the clock.

maybe agreed to in principle..."If player X is on the board we make the deal, if he is gone forget it(or you sweeten the deal)"

At least thats how I would do it if I was the GM.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I agree that we should not do this deal yet, but that it might get done. If the Jets come calling with #17 and their 3rd, then yes, pull the trigger immediately. Why? Because I think either Wells and/or Moreno will be available there, and I think that's who we'd target. Why not pull the trigger right now with the Ravens? Because, as Evil Ash says, the longer you push this, the more chance you have of wringing more concessions out of the Ravens. Plus, they pick rather late in the first, so what happens if we do this trade, and then our main target with that pick is off the board? Wait until the Ravens are on the clock, and if our guy is there, then pull the trigger.

Exactly...I doubt anything happens before draft day, trading Boldin will completely depend on whether Wells or Moreno is left, IMO.

 

[WildBB]

Exactly...I doubt anything happens before draft day, trading Boldin will completely depend on whether Wells or Moreno is left, IMO.

Agreed.

 

[lauraw]

So we are thinking wells/moreno for boldin, plus a third? i dont know...I agree one of those two would be the pick, it just doesnt sound like enough to me.

 

[DoTheDew]

I would love to keep Q, but not if it is going to create chemistry issues. If the Cards think the Boldin situation is going to be a distraction, then trading him might just end up being addition by subtraction.

Our FO is stuck between a rock and a hard place where if they keep Q, they either have to over pay him or make him disgruntled, and if they trade Q they risk destroying the magic we had last year. Ultimately there is no way of knowing the best of the evils, as it is speculation either way. This very well might be the issue which determines ultimately whether Graves has what it takes as a GM or not. He has no option but to take a chance, the outcome of his decision will prove to me once and for all whether he has foresight, or has just been "lucky" to stick around.

 

[DoTheDew]

So we are thinking wells/moreno for boldin, plus a third? i dont know...I agree one of those two would be the pick, it just doesnt sound like enough to me.

It is a risk, but either one has the potential to be a pro bowl RB. We actually save money at the same time by doing this I think vs extending Boldin.

Consider it this way: Pro Bowl WR for best RB in draft/possible (likely?) future pro bowl RB and potential solid starter in future with the 3rd. Additionally removing headache and saving cap space in the present.

In that light it sounds like a solid deal IMO. All depends how you spin it.

 

[English on tour]

Exactly...I doubt anything happens before draft day, trading Boldin will completely depend on whether Wells or Moreno is left, IMO.

agree 100% with this, might mean we get less than we could now so its a double edged sword.

best case we have a few teams lined up pre draft and pull the trigger during the draft

 

[Zeno]

Holy post padding English LOL

 

[English on tour]

Holy post padding English LOL

what the hell

 

[Folster]

What the hell was that

 

[Carddan]

The value of draft picks is that outside of the top few in round one, they are much cheaper than established stars. The disadvantage is that you do not know if they will be stars. For example, DRC gets 1.85 mil, Hood gets 3.5 mil and McFadden 5 mil. Who is the better value? It is the rookie contract that teams succeed with. After that, not all of the established stars can be afforded. A trade for an all pro does not help the Cards financially, a draft pick that pans out does. The key to success is drafting well to fit the identity of your team and to keep a few core players that fit that mold.

 

[Shogun]

Holy crap.

 

[Carddan]

Give English a break, I had the same thing happen to me once. My computer made a bunch of very rapid beeps adding a post each time with one additional word each post. Some one congradulated me on total domination of the thread! I spent 15 mins deleting my ass off.

 

[jefftheshark]

agree 100% with this, might mean we get less than we could now so its a double edged sword.

best case we have a few teams lined up

agree 100% with this, might mean we get less than we could now so its a double edged sword.

best case we have a few teams lined up pre

agree 100% with this, might mean we get less than we could now so its a double edged sword.

best case we have a few teams lined up pre draft and pull the trigger during the draft

PWE - Posting While English

JTS

 

[Shzm13]

lol

 

[PoolBoy]

i was wondering how this got to 9 pages so fast. haha

 

[Goldfield]

1st, 3rd & Le'Ron McClain and that would get it done for me.

That would benefit both teams. Ravens got a bunch of good RB's we got a bunch of good WR's.

McClain is the arguably the best power back in the NFL right now.

Deal...

 

[devilalum]

The value of draft picks is that outside of the top few in round one, they are much cheaper than established stars. The disadvantage is that you do not know if they will be stars. For example, DRC gets 1.85 mil, Hood gets 3.5 mil and McFadden 5 mil. Who is the better value? It is the rookie contract that teams succeed with. After that, not all of the established stars can be afforded. A trade for an all pro does not help the Cards financially, a draft pick that pans out does. The key to success is drafting well to fit the identity of your team and to keep a few core players that fit that mold.

And players that are drafted later and become stars almost always become angry at the organization because they see other less talented players on their own team making more money.

Welcome to the ego maniacal world of the professional athlete.

 

[az1965]

Fixed it for you.

Why do they have to be pro bowlers? You would think as Cards fans and seeing multiple good players over the years not make the pro bowl we would know that the pro bowl doesnt mean much in terms of if a player is good or not. Not all good players can go to the pro bowl every year. There are plenty of good productive players in the league that dont have pro bowl status added to their names.

Pro-bowl, productive, high impact... whatever

You get the point... at least I hope so

 

[az1965]

I still think trading Boldin will be a mistake... I think people on this board are underestimating Boldin's impact.