Tolbert gets credit for Boldin?

[Wild Card]

Tyke Tolbert apparently had a lot to do with the Cardinals drafting Anquan Boldin. From Charles Bricker's column in yesterday's South Florida Sun-Sentinel:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/...p24,0,5727306.column?coll=sfla-dolphins-front

>>Mel Kiper, the draft guru, missed on this one, but there's no shame there. Just about everyone, including to a lesser degree the Arizona Cardinals, misjudged Anquan Boldin. "His speed is a question mark, only running in the 4.7 range," Kiper had said as he sized up the college draft of wide receivers...

The same questions about Boldin's speed came up in the Cardinals' predraft meetings until receivers coach Tyke Tolbert, who was an assistant at Florida last season, stepped in: "I told them, `Trust me. Do not worry about this man's 40 time. He plays faster than the clock.'

"I've watched him since he was playing in high school in Pahokee. I saw him playing for Florida State when I was an assistant to Terry Bowden at Auburn. I know that after just three games he's wowing people. But nothing he has done surprises me."<<

Funny, huh? With all the press that Jerry Sullivan gets for being a WR guru, the credit for drafting the Cards' star rookie wideout may go to his new receivers coach.

WC

 

[jf-08]

nice

 

[jf-08]

here is the rest of the article:

BRICKER: No speed? Boldin's flying
Published September 24, 2003


Mel Kiper, the draft guru, missed on this one, but there's no shame there. Just about everyone, including to a lesser degree the Arizona Cardinals, misjudged Anquan Boldin.

"His speed is a question mark, only running in the 4.7 range," Kiper had said as he sized up the college draft of wide receivers.

"With that said, there's definitely a place at the pro level for a guy like Boldin -- probably as a second or third option in the receiving game."

How laughable is that? The former Florida State receiver from Pahokee has caught 23 passes for 378 yards. Both totals are new highs for an NFL rookie's first three games.

The 23 receptions beat the 21 catches made by tight end Earl Cooper of San Francisco in his first three games in As a barometer, Jerry Rice had nine catches for 196 yards in the first three outings of his rookie season in 1985, and Randy Moss caught 15 passes for 221 yards in his first three NFL games in 1998.

The same questions about Boldin's speed came up in the Cardinals' predraft meetings until receivers coach Tyke Tolbert, who was an assistant at Florida last season, stepped in: "I told them, `Trust me. Do not worry about this man's 40 time. He plays faster than the clock.'

"I've watched him since he was playing in high school in Pahokee. I saw him playing for Florida State when I was an assistant to Terry Bowden at Auburn. I know that after just three games he's wowing people. But nothing he has done surprises me."

Boldin was drafted No. 54 in the second round, passed over by everyone in the first, including the Cards, who took another receiver, Bryant Johnson of Penn State, at No. 17, and defensive end Calvin Pace of Wake Forest at No. 18.

A few weeks ago, Boldin told reporters how his coaches at Pahokee High, where he played quarterback, walked him through coverages, explaining not just where to throw the ball but why to throw it in certain situations and when. He took such quarterbacking wisdom and applied it to receiving.

"I don't know about the learning curve or how fast you're supposed to learn. I just have to tip my hat to the coaches," he said.

Wide receivers and quarterbacks are not supposed to have this sort of instant success because of the complex nature of their positions. It's not like lining up Jevon Kearse or Julius Peppers at defensive end and telling them, "Go get the quarterback."

Boldin caught for 217 yards in his opening game, though of course the Lions are not a good team defensively.

But he came back with eight catches for 62 yards against the Seahawks, and then, on Sunday, had five receptions for 99 yards vs. the Packers.

His speed is functional -- a lot like Rice's.

Like his predecessor at the Cardinals, David Boston, he is an oversized receiver at 6 feet 1 and 218 pounds. He blocks well enough to have put Lions defensive end Robert Porcher on his backside. And his route running is ultra-precise.

What can he still improve on?

"He can do everything a little bit better," Tolbert said. But there are no holes in his game. He runs every route and is particularly effective over the middle, where the catches are more difficult but where there is more opportunity to break for a long gain after the catch.

He is the constant target of quarterback Jeff Blake, who has thrown him an average of 12 passes a game because of Arizona's depleted receiving corps.

Staying in on virtually every offensive down can be wearing, and Boldin has to concentrate in the fourth quarter on making his cuts more precise rather than rounding them off -- a sure sign of fatigue.

Arizona has a wealth of plays designed for Boldin, including passes off reverses. He could also be an emergency quarterback, having stepped in for coach Bobby Bowden in the Sugar Bowl against Georgia.

He throws an extremely tight spiral ("as tight as Blake's," says Tolbert), but, surprisingly, he never grips the ball by the laces. "I've talked to him about that," Tolbert said. "He says he just doesn't feel comfortable with that."

No one is going to try to change him. All they want from Boldin is for him to keep doing what he's doing.

 

[Russ Smith]

Give that man a bonus then!

 

[arthurracoon]

Originally posted by Russ Smith
Give that man a bonus then!

 

[TigToad]

3rd string QB

Hey, its becoming quite fashionable to only carry 2 QBs on the roster. Boldin may give the Cards the flexibility to go that route some day... though, he'd have a bear of a time passing to himself.

 

[SunsTzu]

Originally posted by jkf296


Arizona has a wealth of plays designed for Boldin, including passes off reverses.

I can't wait to them try one of those passes.

 

[AzCards21]

Originally posted by jkf296
here is the rest of the article:

BRICKER: No speed? Boldin's flying
Published September 24, 2003


Mel Kiper, the draft guru, missed on this one,

He's missed for years now! When the heck does the guru tag come off? Mel Kiper, casual fan and as misinformed as anyone else. I wouldn't bet 10 cents on Kipers predictions.

 

[Northern Card]

For comparison, I noted that JOHNSON has 14 catches for 161... after 3 games, and didn't start game one. If not for BOLDIN's extraordinary start, we might be offering more kudos to Bryant.

 

[Russ Smith]

Originally posted by Northern Card
For comparison, I noted that JOHNSON has 14 catches for 161... after 3 games, and didn't start game one. If not for BOLDIN's extraordinary start, we might be offering more kudos to Bryant.

True, but in fairness, BJ is benefitting from defenses keying on Quan. Seattle had 2-3 guys around Quan every play, not just because he was going over the middle either. The one play we sprung him open was out of the bunch where he broke out to the sideline on 3rd and short, Josh' throw was low but there, but Quan bobbled and dropped it. other than every ball he caught was in traffic.

Of course the reason we send him over the middle is he's so good at finding seams in traffic, and so good after the catch.

I'm really happy with both, Quan clearly runs better patterns, but BJ has the speed Quan lacks, and they're both big strong kids.

 

[JeffGollin]

Looking back over various predraft previews - the issue was never Boldin's lack of original inherent speed. It was whether or not he could regain all of it coming off knee surgery - and, if so, how quickly.

Apparently, he's already regained a lot (if not all) of it.He sure doesn't look particularly "slow" when you see him on TV.

Note - After my original post, I went back to the BRS to see what was said about Boldin. (I shouldn't have - I had him ranked #13). Anyway, here's what everyone said in all their naked glory -

13 Anquan Boldin, FSU 6-0½ 216 -- 1.62 2.68 4.62 33 9-6 4.25 11.90 7.35 31

Big Red Sheet (Jeff Gollin):
Frankie Sanders type who can also bring a "slash" capability to the Cardinal attack because he played a little QB for Sems when they needed him to do so. On Pro Day, he ran a 4.62 without spikes 4.54 "with", which is better than his 4.72 Combine time but still barely acceptable for a wideout Sporting News notes he once ran a 4.4 and seems to be regaining that original speed as he continues to recoup from 2001 ACL injury . You have to figure Sully had some input here and knows something good about the kid.

Pro Day (Gil Brandt - nfl.com) -
Boldin, who is 6-1, 211, ran the 40 in 4.54. Then they made him take the track spikes off and he ran 4.62. He ran and worked out, but didn't do other drills.

Sporting News (War Room):
Hands: Makes acrobatic catches at times. Can catch on the run without losing much momentum. Pulls down balls away from his frame, over his shoulder and over his head. Loses concentration at times. Drops catchable passes when trying to get upfield too quickly. Has good initial burst. Drives defenders off the line. Has great speed, but isn't much of a deep threat. Is much better on short-to-intermediate routes. Shows a good feel for coverage and has become a solid, consistent route-runner underneath. Has great body control and gets separation out of breaks. Shows outstanding lateral movement and change-of-direction skills. Has a second gear. Tracks balls in the air. Has burst and explosiveness. Is elusive with good lateral movement. Excels at stopping and starting. Has above-average vision and patience.

Runs with good power and strength. Is raw in this area. Spends much time in the slot to avoid press coverage. Needs to develop more moves, but is quick, strong and physical enough to improve. Works to get downfield. Is feisty and competitive. Lacks great technique and must improve leverage and take better angles. Boldin, a converted quarterback, is raw and has durability questions, but he is too good of a natural athlete to let slip past the second round. He has good size, is well built, and looks to be regaining his 4.4 speed -- that's the biggest reason why a team may take a chance on him late in the first round.

Prisco (CBSportsline) -
The former quarterback has been the consummate team player for the Seminoles, playing wherever the coaching staff needed him throughout his career. Tireless worker with a team-first attitude...Adjusts smoothly to the off-target throws...Has the explosive burst needed to gain separation after the catch...Does not shy away from the crowd, using his hands well to force his way through traffic...Plants and drives sharply on deep routes...Has the lateral agility to shake free of press coverage at the line of scrimmage...Very effective on vertical-type routes, showing elusive moves to the corner...Can create space with his acceleration and knows how to drive towards the sidelines in clock management...Flashes to the ball with his hands properly extended and never hesitates going over the middle for the ball...Shows the athletic ability to adjust to the ball and take it away from the defender...Has a keen knowledge for moving the chains, knowing how to stay uncovered once the coverage spreads...Displays the speed to find the end zone when he catches the ball in stride. But comes out of his stance a little slow, showing hesitation before getting into gear a few steps past the line...Not very quick in-and-out of his cuts...While he can catch very effectively with his hands extended, he tends to cradle-catch the ball, at times... Needs to show better sideline awareness, as he tends to struggle keeping his feet inbounds...Struggles at times to adjust to the off-target passes...Has to secure the ball better before turning upfield after the catch...Has to get more aggressive with his hands to prevent the initial tackler from making the hit at the point of the catch.

Sporting News (Dan Pompeii) -
Is a solid junior. Has good size and strength. Has not run well in workouts, but runs good routes and has competitive speed. Shows strong hands. Breaks tackles. Is a man about his blocking assignments.

All Pro Scouting (Gambill) -
Tremendously gifted athlete. Played QB and WR for the Noles. Good size, speed, and play making abilities for the receiver positions. Needs to polish his routes, but shows good release off the LOS, strength and quickness to defeat the jam, good straight line speed, leaping ability(37.5" vert.), and most important, upside. Tore ACL in spring 2001 and missed all year and spring drills of 2002. Had a big year hauling in 65 balls for 1011 yards and 13 TD's. Presents a defense with alot of match up problems and allows the offense to open the playbook and create. Big time talent. 2nd rounder.

Kiper - Big, physical and possesses outstanding pass receiving skills. Coming off serious knee injury...definitely a place on an NFL roster as a 2nd or 3rd option.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

You have to give the coaching staff credit also.They are using him the exact perfect way he should be used.They're not asking him to be a deep threat and trying to make him do things that he's not at his best doing.Unlike some of our past OC's,the Cards are making their system fit the players instead of the other way around.

 

[Mulli]

Bump!