Is Boldin Still A Legitimate 1 Reciever?

[ryanpatt28]

I feel like he would make such a bigger impact on games if you put him in the slot so him and flacco can work the middle of the field more. Whenever a team puts their number 1 corner on him he doesnt really have a big impact because hes not fast enough to get separation so they just pin him against the sidelines. I think we need to get flacco a big fast tough physical number 1 reciever to take him and this offense to the next level. It would also help our redzone woes too, we have no1 that flacco can throw a lob to in the endzone, Do you guys agree with me? Which free agent would fit best on this team that you think ozzie might go after. Dont give me vincent jackson either because we know hell be to expensive and the chargers arent going to let him go so who should it be?

[gabefergy]

I dont think he is anymore. That doesnt mean he isnt a great WR, but he can be erased by a quality CB which is something a true #1 can't let happen. I love Q in the slot and I love his style of play, but he is limited.

As for a Free Agent acquisition, I dont see us bringing in anyone that would be an immediate #1. It would be too pricy. I would rather us look within and try to develop Tandon Doss into a bigger role. He is big, fast, and has great hands. I dont know if he can be a #1, but between him Torrey, and Q we should have all the weapons we need at WR. In a couple years I think Torrey will blossom into a legit #1 WR in the NFL.

[Ravens4Real]

Does anyone understand that the Ravens need to sign 14 FA's and do not have the money to sign a WR that is going to seeking over $10 Mill a year? SMH

[Yum Chickens]

Elite? No. Legitimate? Uhhh did you see how crappy our WR corps was without him? We're fine with him, he's a good leader developing a group of talented young WRs and TEs. We don't need to spend more money bringing in WRs. We need Grubbs, Webb, Gurode, Rice, Flacco, Johnson, and McLain back. Evans will be fine next year, he wants redemption from the dropped pass, and did you see how well he was in the playoffs besides that? We can restructure his contract, make more room, cut off Chris Carr's chunk of money down a lot, and have a great year next year bringing in even more youth into our team.

Edit: Sorry, I forgot Cary Williams, Nakamura, Zibby, Redding, Ellerbe, Birk, Ayanbadejo, McKinney, Cox, Gorrer, McCellan, Kindle, Wilson, and Jones.

So... you still want a WR that we don't need? How about looking at Free Safety, O-Line, O-Line, O-Line, O-Line, Linebacker, and O-Line first.

[ravensfan520]

I think he is still a #1 but we don't need to run just deep or go routes... he is a very smart receiver who can get open if we just use him correctly. I think Boldin is probably one of few WR that are strong enough to get off the line against physical corners and has the mentality to play physical all the time. To me that what's makes him great... he also has the leadership and drive to fuel everyone else around him... he is great in the slot but a lot receivers are because it is usually a safety or linebacker maybe even a nickle corner that has to guard you.

[EdReedFTW]

The way people play the Ravens I'm inclined to say no. People Have been rolling coverage over to Torrey because they're getting scared of 40+ yard bombs. People seem to think that he is our number 1 threat.

[SideStep77]

I love Q he is great. Good aqusition in my opinion. I don't care if he's not a superstar racking up huge numbers in yards or TDs. He gets the job done and we win games. I like how we can slide under the radar with our players. I think he is our true #1 receiver he makes plays.

[atlravensfan]

If used probably, YES. underneath routes and YAC are what he is great at. Cam has him running streaks. Boldin after the surgury was his old self. Its all in how you use a guy. If Desean Jackson was in Cams offense then I could understand. Boldin is miss used

[Militant X 1]

if we keep Lee, i would like to see him and Torrey as our outside receivers with Boldin in the slot. Torrey and Lee can stretch the field and Boldin and our TEs (Dickson or Pitta) along with Rice can work the underneath routes. we also need to run drags and slants with Lee and Torrey and let them use their speed to work the middle of the field instead of just always going deep with them.

~Mili

[atlravensfan]

[quote name='ravensfan520' timestamp='1327867999' post='978742']
I think he is still a #1 but we don't need to run just deep or go routes... he is a very smart receiver who can get open if we just use him correctly. I think Boldin is probably one of few WR that are strong enough to get off the line against physical corners and has the mentality to play physical all the time. To me that what's makes him great... he also has the leadership and drive to fuel everyone else around him... he is great in the slot but a lot receivers are because it is usually a safety or linebacker maybe even a nickle corner that has to guard you.
[/quote]
Agreed, Like all things in life put your people in good situations they shine.

[Milton145]

I think having a "No. 1 Receiver" is overrated. I'd rather have a good crop of receivers who compliment each other's game very well. We have that.

[MKdave]

I've always said I don't think Cam gives him routes that really suit him and I don't think Joe throws to him in ways and at times that are ideal for him.

If there's two things I love about Boldin as a reciever it's him with the ball in his hands and his fight and strength on back shoulder throws and jump balls. He's never going to beat people in a footrace down the sideline, and he's not going to get open with sharp breaks. He isn't Derrick Mason but we've basically stuck him in that role anyway. Remember the Cards game, and we didn't really get the pass going until we basically just lobbed it to Boldin every play? There was one drive when I think every or all but one pass was to Boldin and I wouldn't really describe him as open on any of them. He's done that at times all season, and I think Joe and Cam need to be a little more confident in him just making a play when other things aren't working.

[arnie_uk]

depends how hes used, you use him in the slot over the middle, on medoum throws, let him turn them into big gains, through YAC, watch him put uo legitimate no.1 numbers. Use him outisde the numbers, against no,1 corners going long all day then no.

Obivously hes not a number one, he just doesnt have the speed anymore, but used right, hes as much a threat as any no.1 reciever in the league in my eyes

[Jamal]

Not at this point in his career.

Especially not in Cam Cameron's offense.

[Crabcakes&Football]

No he isn't. I'm hoping Torrey Smith will grow into that.

[ratedr]

Torrey is our #1 receiver at this point.

[Ravens Fan in Ontario]

Q is a very good WR. He's one of the best Slot WR's. He isn't and never was a #1 WR. He came to Baltimore and was the #1 WR, but he wouldn't be a #1 most anywhere else.

He played with a #1 in Fitzgerald and had great seasons with the Cards. Playing with Johnson or Johnson he'd have amazing seasons. He hasn't flourished as much in Baltimore because there isn't a true #1!

[The Raven]

If used correctly, yes, he is. Send him over the middle and he's among the best.

[Ravenslifer]

I don't think so - at this point in his career he's a great number 2. Look what happened when the Jets and Texans put their number 1 corners on Torrey - Q beasted and looked like the Q of old. People seem to forget that all but one year of Q's career, he was being shadowed by the number 2 corner from every team because of Fitz. However, I definitely think if he is used properly i.e. used on shorter routes over the middle where he can use his physicality and his ability to break tackles, that he can be as productive as he was in Arizona. But a number 1 receiver to me, is a guy that even the best corners in the league can't stop i.e. Wes Welker, who abused Revis, Asomoghua, Cromartie, etc this season.

[izvoodoo]

My definition for a #1 receiver is a guy who can beat man coverage and run every route. And Q can run a lot of the underneath route tree, but not the deep routes, so no.

[Gordo52]

I dont know if he ever was.
He was when he came here because of how bad our recievers were but I always thought of him as the perfect the #2.
Dont get me wrong though I think hes in the elite section but only when hes playing at his strengths

[kiwi_raven]

who says your number 1 reciver has to be on the outside, the guy is our #1 but should play slot, if we had more 3 reciver sets, it wouldnt be an issue, the guy is tough as nails, and can catch almost anything.

[Guest RBates]

Torrey is our best receiver right now. I say this off season we start developing some of our young talent. Torrey by far, is the number one receiver on this team.

[Guest RBates]

[quote name='kiwi_raven' timestamp='1327887455' post='978994']
who says your number 1 reciver has to be on the outside, the guy is our #1 but should play slot, if we had more 3 reciver sets, it wouldnt be an issue, the guy is tough as nails, and[b] can catch almost anything.[/b]
[/quote]
He has had his fair share of drops this season.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='RBates' timestamp='1327887863' post='979000']
He has had his fair share of drops this season.
[/quote]
Thats true, although 7 drops isnt absurdly high. He has also made a number of spectacular catches.

[Guest RBates]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1327888384' post='979007']
Thats true, although 7 drops isnt absurdly high. He has also made a number of spectacular catches.
[/quote]
Very true.

[ThePurpleWall]

I think so.

[BloodRaven]

Maybe he never was, he certainly isn't now.

[scrock]

No, or certainly not how we use him

I think at this stage Boldin's best days are behind him..he's a big physical WR and that takes its toll on ur body

He's a solid #2

[Alexir]

If we use him in the Slot like the Pats do with Welker, he could be a 90 reception guy.

Our offense just doesn't utlize the slot or the middle of the field as much as other teams so thats why he isn't as effective.