TJ's Deal With the Seahawks Sets Boldin's Market Value

[Crazy Canuck]

Well, that's what I'm afraid of ultimately happening. Like I said, I realize whatever the Cards could get right now would seem low compensation but in the long run, it's going to be a lot more than if they just let his contract play out.

I'm still unsure if the Cardinals even can offer him something he can't refuse. Will he accept anything less than Fitz's deal? Could the Cardinals handle that? If they do pay Q and Fitz are they able to keep Warner or even Leinart once his contract balloons? Graves is going to have to earn his money that's for sure.

It's not that difficult. The Cards simply walk away from their offer to Kurt, and sign a player in his prime... and let the Matt to Fitz, to Q to Breaston era begin...

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Remember that we all overvalue our own players. Remember that Philly has to immediately pay Anquan Market value. So it's market value plus a first round pick. We're not getting a third as well. We're definitely not getting another first next year. Because they have two firsts, they can afford that. The question becomes, can we get 21 (ironically where we would have picked had we lost the championship game) or 28.

The Pats only got a high second for a potentially very good QB. Obviously Cassell hasn't done what Anquan has, but he is a QB who had a very good year. Teams take more chances on QBs.

If you're right, I'll happily eat crow, because I'm not sure about giving up Quan for a first only, but I think that's the deal. Maybe Philly gets desperate, who knows.

I'll disagree with you on Boldin.

Some people around the league want the Cassel deal looked at, being as they feel that Bill B should have received a lot more than a 2nd for Cassel.

 

[CardLogic]

Remember that we all overvalue our own players. Remember that Philly has to immediately pay Anquan Market value. So it's market value plus a first round pick. We're not getting a third as well. We're definitely not getting another first next year. Because they have two firsts, they can afford that. The question becomes, can we get 21 (ironically where we would have picked had we lost the championship game) or 28.

No, they don't!

While it's likely that a team aquiring would re-work Boldin's deal, they would not be obligated to do so. In a trade the existing contract goes with the player.

 

[40yearfan]

If I had to choose between Boldin and a first round pick, I would choose Boldin every time. You know what you have with him. That pick is a crap shoot that only pans out about 50% of the time.

The old "Bird in the hand" syndrome.

 

[john h]

I'm sure many have said it, and I'd hate for the Cardinals to lose Boldin but there is no better time than now for the Cardinals AND Boldin to get the most value for his services. This is an extremely weak FA WR market and there is no way the Cardinals are going to be able to re-structure Boldin.

They could sit on him but if they could get a 2nd rounder and ? it might be the right time to do it. With all the other contracts they need to take care of, 2nd round type draft picks might be the best way to round out the roster.

I much agree with your post. It is going to take a team that has the cap space to sign Boldin and who has a need. It will also require a team that has something we want and which is fair to both teams. I do not know if there are any restrictions in his contract that could prevent us from trading him to who ever we want. I doubt it. For the good of this team we cannot afford to keep Boldin, as good as he is, at the WR position. To much money tied up there and we have good players to back him up. Our receiver corps is all world. It would be interesting to see how they react if Kurt leaves. If anyone knows just how good Matt really is it will be the receivers who work with him every day.

A thought of mine is are the Cardinals more or less forcing Kurt out by offering a figure that is high but not high enough so that he will likely go. That way they may not be as maligned as if they just flat out let him go. That is a reach but stranger things have happened. They had to know that $10 mil for a top QB would embarrass a guy like Kurt. Especially one that just had led the team to the super-bowl. Maybe they know something about Kurt we do not. I doubt it but who really knows. Is Graves or the Bidwills the one pulling the strings on the Kurt deal. Clearly the Bidwills could call Graves and say keep him then maybe they have complete faith in Graves and are letting him run the show. With the economy down maybe the Bidwills lost a fortune on investments? Wiser people than them have lost a fortune. Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway is no longer selling at over $100,000 per share (one share). I realize there is a lot of WA speculation here but these are not normal times. Aram wants 25 mil a year and millions of people do not even have a job.

 

[Vermont Maverick]

No, they don't!

While it's likely that a team aquiring would re-work Boldin's deal, they would not be obligated to do so. In a trade the existing contract goes with the player.

Technically, you are absolutely correct.

I assume any team trading for Boldin would agree to a new contract, either as part of the deal, or very soon after.

 

[Vermont Maverick]

I'll disagree with you on Boldin.

Some people around the league want the Cassel deal looked at, being as they feel that Bill B should have received a lot more than a 2nd for Cassel.

Well, if we do trade him, I hope you are right.

What is it about the deal that people want looked at? I hadn't heard that.

 

[slanidrac16]

Take a page out of the Patriots notebook.

You take an unhappy/aging player along with the fact that we have a very good WR corp and you look for a team with a need.

Two NFC teams come to mind. The Eagles and Bears. The Eagles would be more than happy to give us a #1 and a #4 to get Boldin. With 2 first round picks and an extra 4th we could become very flexable come draft day enabling us to move up to get a player we really want. Let's say Moreno is there at 25. We swap our first and the extra 4th to move up 6 spots and take him. That of course is just an example.

The Bears I doubt would give up their only #1 pick. However, what if we took a 2nd , 3rd, and a player like Vasher? Again, those extra picks could be parlayed into a higher pick on draft day.

I say this because I really don't think Boldin can be made happy. He knows that there are teams out there that will pay him as a number 1 guy. He knows there are teams out there that will pay him more than the Cards will. Remember, no matter what a player says , it's always about the money.

 

[lauraw]

the cards fo will offer boldin 5.0-5.5m/yr at the most to start, with 7.0 as their ceiling, next year.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Peter King of SI.com spoke with Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt and emerged feeling as though Arizona might not trade Anquan Boldin. King: "The Cards won't go to the $10-million-a-year Boldin wants. And if a team -- Philadelphia seems most likely -- calls and offers a mid- to late-first-round pick for Boldin, Arizona would listen. If Boldin is willing to do a deal for between $8 million and $9 million a year, a T.J. Houshmandzadeh- or Plaxico Burress-type contract, I think he could get something done with Arizona." Easier said than done after Larry Fitzgerald got so much more. Remember, Houshmandzadeh's signing bonus was $2 million.

 

[Shane]

Peter King of SI.com spoke with Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt and emerged feeling as though Arizona might not trade Anquan Boldin. King: "The Cards won't go to the $10-million-a-year Boldin wants. And if a team -- Philadelphia seems most likely -- calls and offers a mid- to late-first-round pick for Boldin, Arizona would listen. If Boldin is willing to do a deal for between $8 million and $9 million a year, a T.J. Houshmandzadeh- or Plaxico Burress-type contract, I think he could get something done with Arizona." Easier said than done after Larry Fitzgerald got so much more. Remember, Houshmandzadeh's signing bonus was $2 million.

Q would be silly to sign a TJ type deal. He is 4 years older and slower than Q. Plus he has less production. Q could and will make more if traded on a sign and trade deal.

 

[Totally_Red]

Apparently Drew Rosenhaus has gotten "positive vibes" from recent discussions with the Cardinals. Here's the quote from Kent Somer's piece in the Republic today: "Rosenhaus declined to comment on the negotiations but did say that he and Boldin recently had positive talks with the Cardinals." http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/2009/03/23/20090323nfl-cards0324.html

I'm convinced that part of the discussions between Kurt Warner and Rod Graves/Ken Whisenhunt centered on Anquan Boldin. Apparently Q told ESPN that the situation will be resolved one way or the other by late April or early May meaning an extended contract or a trade. I'm betting the former.

 

[lauraw]

I will be really surprised if the cards do anything with Boldin before next offseason.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

Just one pick for Boldin???

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Q would be silly to sign a TJ type deal. He is 4 years older and slower than Q. Plus he has less production. Q could and will make more if traded on a sign and trade deal.

The 4 years younger piece is true but the bolded is not. Go look at the numbers the last three years.

TJ blows Q out of the water numbers wise. I would rather have Q for obvious reasons though.

 

[Mainstreet]

I want a Herschel Walker type trade for Boldin.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

I want a Herschel Walker type trade for Boldin.

 

[DoTheDew]

The 4 years younger piece is true but the bolded is not. Go look at the numbers the last three years.

TJ blows Q out of the water numbers wise. I would rather have Q for obvious reasons though.

Year Team G Rec Yards YPC Long TD FD Fumble Lost
2005 CIN 14 78 956 12.3 43 7 52 1 1
2006 CIN 14 90 1081 12.0 40 9 58 0 0
2007 CIN 16 112 1143 10.2 42 12 70 2 1
2008 CIN 15 92 904 9.8 46 4 51 0 0

2005 ARI 14 102 1402 13.7 54 7 68 2 1
2006 ARI 16 83 1203 14.5 64 4 53 0 0
2007 ARI 12 71 853 12.0 44 9 43 2 1
2008 ARI 12 89 1038 11.7 79 11 56 3 3

Boldin has more yards, 1 less TD, greater YPC, and about 10 less Receptions per year. I would say they are about equal over the last 4 years.

That said, Boldin has missed nearly twice as many games. The numbers would suggest that Boldin in fact should get a deal almost identical to TJ. (BTW Boldin is 3 years and 1 month younger than TJ, not 4 years like Shane said)

 

[WildBB]

Boldin has more yards, 1 less TD, greater YPC, and about 10 less Receptions per year. I would say they are about equal over the last 4 years.

That said, Boldin has missed nearly twice as many games. The numbers would suggest that Boldin in fact should get a deal almost identical to TJ. (BTW Boldin is 3 years and 1 month younger than TJ, not 4 years like Shane said)

The YPC has been steadily decreasing as well. With the injuries becoming more frequent as well, I find it kind of a rediculous p-ing match that this deal won't get done.
There is no reason to be ticked about being the 2nd highest paid wideout, when that pay is comensurate with the players ability and how they're used.
There is no reason this shouldn't get done. It's on Anquan and Rosenhaus now.