Anquan Boldin

[H8R]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1358825637' post='1325241']


Haha, good point!
But it's not just about Joe...look at Boldin tearing up the middle of the field, where he belongs. Another big reason for our success is keeping the pocket moving to help make up for the inadequacies... I love Caldwell!! I hope that he remains our OC for a long time to come.
[/quote]

Nope it's just not Joe alone, it's a collective effort by the offense to not just be average. No longer can they complain about a coach and use it as a crutch. It helped the offense OWN things more easily. I feel like there was a TON of animosity within the offensive room towards Sham Scameron , and it poisened the well, so to speak.

[BloodRaven]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX80_UJh7GU

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='Grendelwulf21' timestamp='1358819079' post='1325046']
I've been wondering why people wanted him gone in the first place? hopefully he wont be too much to keep
[/quote]

You just answered your own question

Lack of cap space was the only reason people like myself were even contemplating us parting ways with him. But now, no way do I think we should. Boldin absolutely deserves to be here next year.

[dhstandard]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1358819910' post='1325066']
I don't understand this misconception. I don't think anyone said we wanted him to go. At least, I know I didn't. I said it's very realistic we won't keep him next year with our cap situation and free agents. I also said I would like to trade him before his decline, like Belichick. Boldin's one of my favorite Ravens. It's just going to be a challenge to keep him.

Also, we let go of guys like Mason, Heap, and Gregg, so he's not off limits. The difference is those guys reached their decline, whereas Boldin is still playing at a high level...for now.
[/quote]

That's pretty much saying you want him gone. He is a 7 million cap hit next year right? Honestly I couldn't think of anyone who is worth every penny of that 7 million on this team than Q. I hope (and assume) he would take a paycut or an extension (to which we would move a lot of his money into the future) but if he doesn't I wouldn't cut him to save 7 million in cap.

To say he may is a cap casualty is saying he isn't worth his price tag. You either want them for their price or you don't. We all want to sign the big names like Mario Williams in the offseason but you don't because of cap room and simply, they aren't worth the space.

[flynismo]

Like I said a few posts ago, Cam disappears, and the Boldin we know and love reappears. Coincidence? No.

A full season of Anquan Boldin destroying the slots is well worth $6M. The simple fact alone that he is our best red zone target is worth that kinda skrillah

[BMORE_96]

I am a very sentimental person but looking towards the future. If we have a shot at the elite lts this offseason, I would cut boldin and any player that could be replaced( handful come to mind ) to get a Brandon Albert or Ryan clady perhaps even jake long , healthy of course. It is a business and the ravens have a shot at being a dynasty( don't want to jinx it) even with that impediment that was cam Cameron.

[BallHawker]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1358828641' post='1325336']
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX80_UJh7GU[/media]
[/quote]

Lez zoom in doh daww'

Hahahahaha

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1358824701' post='1325219']
Gee, imagine that. We get rid of Cam, and Flacco has been the best QB in the NFL since then, Boldin plays like he did in AZ, and we are in the SB.
[/quote]
Over all how do you feel about Caldwell?

[Purple_ICE 81]

I think Ozzie and company will find a way to extend him or renegotiate his contract to better help our cap situation. Although he could just retire if we end up winning the superbowl, but he is still playing at a high level and is getting so much better in our offense. Would hate to lose him.

[indianstick]

Q isn't slowing down anytime soon. Like fly said, it's no coincidence that he's playing like he was in ARI now that cam is gone. Not only is he now our best red zone target, he has consistently came up for us in the clutch. It would be amazing to restructure/extend him and bring him down to around 4M a year but if not, he would still be worth the 6.5M (or 7M, i don't know his exact cap hit next year). I did say in the mid season thread about boldin, that if he becomes a cap casualty we would have to address the WR position since we don't really have anyone on the team who could step in and replace his production.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Just fyi. He has one more year in the contract.

His been phenomenal so far. Taking him away and just 'testing' the new guys as a every down #2 is probably a bad idea. From the looks of it, no one other than Torrey has the ability to be that 'guy'.

Jacoby is a solid #3, but he doesn't exactly fill in that #2 spot. Laquan? nope Tandon Doss? nope Deonte? nope

Keep Boldin. We got other things to worry about like Ellerbe & Kruger. Trying to buy some diva WR top flight money to replace Boldin is a bad idea.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='Ravenseconbeast' timestamp='1358835501' post='1325462']
Just fyi. He has one more year in the contract.

His been phenomenal so far. Taking him away and just 'testing' the new guys as a every down #2 is probably a bad idea. From the looks of it, no one other than Torrey has the ability to be that 'guy'.

Jacoby is a solid #3, but he doesn't exactly fill in that #2 spot. Laquan? nope Tandon Doss? nope Deonte? nope

Keep Boldin. [b] We got other things to worry about like Ellerbe & Kruger.[/b] Trying to buy some diva WR top flight money to replace Boldin is a bad idea.
[/quote]

That is the point. I dont know if you are familiar with what the cap looks like, but there is no way we can keep those two with Boldin making 7M next year. Even with Ray and probably Birk retiring, Kruger and Ellerbe will likely be 10M+ combined. So the FO has to ask the question...is it more important to retain the veteran WR at a price that is too steep or let one of the young defensive stars walk away?

[Bravens292]

he might not be the most popular or flashy guy on this team, but i couldn't love watching this man play anymore than i do. it will be a very sad day when he leaves. for me personally, it would hurt more than the departures of Heap, Mason, McGahee, etc. He defines playing like a ravens better than anyone on this team, hes dependable when you need him, and hes got some swagger.

[Yatagarasu]

Boldin might not be the fastest or the biggest receiver out there, but he's definitely one of the toughest WR in the NFL. I love how he blocks for our run game and play physical with the cornerbacks. I'm happy that Flacco has a lot of trust in Boldin to jump for the air balls in the middle of the endzone. You saw all the those TDs against Indy and NE, which is not easy to do. I feel that the front office and Boldin will come to an extension, if not then I hope he finishes out his career somewhere he is appreciated. Boldin is a solid WR 2 who can get those contested catches in traffic. Mason played well into his mid-30s here and had a lot of success. I hope Boldin gets extended well into his mid-30s as our younger WRs get developed.

[redrum52]

Don't think anyone wanted him gone, more of a financial reason than production. Everyone knew Cam was holding him and the offense back. Funny to see a transformation like this in just a couple weeks. Interesting to see what can happen with some rest and a good game plans. I know this season isn't over but next year is looking very promising, especially with the team keeping its coaches and most of it's core. On topic, would be nice to see Boldin's contract extended for at least another year. That guys got strong hands.

[Ravenseconbeast]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1358836275' post='1325473']


That is the point. I dont know if you are familiar with what the cap looks like, but there is no way we can keep those two with Boldin making 7M next year. Even with Ray and probably Birk retiring, Kruger and Ellerbe will likely be 10M+ combined. So the FO has to ask the question...is it more important to retain the veteran WR at a price that is too steep or let one of the young defensive stars walk away?
[/quote]

I know what you are saying. Even then, I think we can find a way to make it work. Maybe extension of 2-3 years with paycut? Cap friendly incentives for Kruger and Ellerbe? Restructure few contracts? Our FO can get pretty creative to fit players to keep our organization move forward every year. I think we can figure something out imo.

One of the major thing I preached all season is to keep Flacco contract reasonable. He will eventually dictate most of our key FAs. I think we can find a reasonable contract with Flacco instead of a bloated contract that most fans think we will be forced to pay. Reason why I believe that is bc we've done it with Ray Lewis contract. Alot of fans thought we would had to overpay Lewis, but he ended giving us discount in order to help our organization go forward. I think Flacco will try to work with us, instead of this ordeal being one sided.

Thats just my opinion.

[flynismo]

[quote name='izvoodoo' timestamp='1358832172' post='1325421']
Over all how do you feel about Caldwell?
[/quote]

Love him. It is wonderful to finally have a guy who knows what our players can and cannot do, and accomodates them, rather than trying to force a square peg into a round hole. But his real genius is even more subtle than that.

I normally dont jump to such rash conclusions, but I feel that I've seen enough to know that this is our guy long term.

I just hope that he doesn't pursue a HC job elsewhere

[ThePurpleWall]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1358818713' post='1325035']
Never did.
He is a beast, with attitude and a great player for the fans.

I love how he gives away every TD ball to a fan.
[/quote]

[ravens88]

Joe will eat up a good chunk of our cap money. we have been lucky with his rookie deal.. I hope we can keep anquan its obvious doss is still developing and Anquan is just phenomial sets that physical tone that this franchise loves he is a key part of our team

[jaege]

I am not sure anyone wanted to get rid of him, I think they were saying we couldn't afford to keep him. I just hope they figure out a way.

[Ravenseconbeast]

[quote name='ravens88' timestamp='1358857229' post='1325595']
Joe will eat up a good chunk of our cap money. we have been lucky with his rookie deal.. I hope we can keep anquan its obvious doss is still developing and Anquan is just phenomial sets that physical tone that this franchise loves he is a key part of our team
[/quote]

Ugh..doss has not panned out too well. I see on field past weeks all the time and he hasnt caught anything. He gets manhandled, cant get open, and drops balls when its around his radius. His not a NFL WR imo. Maybe he'll prove me otherwise, but that back to back dropped balls in denver game was very telling.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

[quote name='jaege' timestamp='1358857606' post='1325600']
I am not sure anyone wanted to get rid of him, I think they were saying we couldn't afford to keep him. I just hope they figure out a way.
[/quote]

signing him to a new 3 years cap friendly contract comes to mind

[BenMir]

Just a thought. Boldin is tough as a nail, loves to block and doesn't generate much separation but he makes up for that with great hands. Why not try him at TE? Corners often get moved to Safety when they're old, we can try that.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

he's our 3rd QB so no way we'll let him go lol

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='BenMir' timestamp='1358858257' post='1325605']
Just a thought. Boldin is tough as a nail, loves to block and doesn't generate much separation but he makes up for that with great hands. Why not try him at TE? Corners often get moved to Safety when they're old, we can try that.
[/quote]

The team already has a quality receiving TE in Pitta. What's needed now is a TE that can block effectively.

[ArmyRavensFan]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1358822897' post='1325159']
I've always been big on keeping and overpaying (if necessary) guys that show up in the big games. Boldin is not worth the 6.5 he'll get next year, but I don't have a problem paying Boldin over 4. Boldin consistently shows up in the big games, the 2 Pitt games every year, the divisional games and the playoffs. Year in year out in big games, you can be damned sure Boldin is going to step up to the plate. You just can't replace that.
[/quote]

Boldin was never a burner. The issue with Boldin since he came here was scheme. For some reason, Cameron liked to send him deep and avoid the middle of the field. That is not Boldins game. Boldin is a runningback playing wide receiver. Give it to him over the middle and short out routes. Let him go up and get the ball. No one else on the Raven's team can fill that role.

[ArmyRavensFan]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1358836275' post='1325473']
That is the point. I dont know if you are familiar with what the cap looks like, but there is no way we can keep those two with Boldin making 7M next year. Even with Ray and probably Birk retiring, Kruger and Ellerbe will likely be 10M+ combined. So the FO has to ask the question...is it more important to retain the veteran WR at a price that is too steep or let one of the young defensive stars walk away?
[/quote]

I like what Kruger is doing but there is no way he stays. Same with Carey Williams. Both of them have adequate or up and coming replacements behind them and both of them want to much money. Dont get me wrong, they deserve the money. It is just the Ravens do not have it. There is no one on the roster who can provide what Q brings. Other than Flacco, Ellerbe is the primary FA that the Ravens must retain. There is no one on the roster to replace him. And there is no one in FA who has recieved the mentorship from Ray Lewis. When he is not on the field, the Ravens defense has suffered.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='dhstandard' timestamp='1358829241' post='1325356']
That's pretty much saying you want him gone. He is a 7 million cap hit next year right? Honestly I couldn't think of anyone who is worth every penny of that 7 million on this team than Q. I hope (and assume) he would take a paycut or an extension (to which we would move a lot of his money into the future) but if he doesn't I wouldn't cut him to save 7 million in cap.

To say he may is a cap casualty is saying he isn't worth his price tag. You either want them for their price or you don't. We all want to sign the big names like Mario Williams in the offseason but you don't because of cap room and simply, they aren't worth the space.
[/quote]
No, that's not saying I hope/want him gone. I'm being realistic. If I had said that about Masosn, would it mean that I wanted him gone? Or Heap? I loved Todd Heap. He was one of my favorite Ravens. That said, even his time expired due to price vs. depth. It's possible Boldin takes a paycut, restructures, to remain here with the team. I hope that's what happens, but at his current salary I don't see him returning not because of production but because the FO may believe they can duplicate his production with another WR. Doss doesn't really seem to be that guy, but neither did Smith & Evans when we released Mason.

I'm just saying you need to be open-minded about the possibility. What if the FO releases Boldin? What will you say then?

For what it's worth, I don't think they can afford to release him now due to the veteran leadership he brings here combined with his renewed production, looking like the player we traded for originally when we made the trade. But I don't think the Ravens will want to pay that close to $7 million salary and may want some of it to apply elsewhere.

[Dudeman]

It's so easy to be caught up in player contracts and its natural to wonder how long their tenure will be.

But if Ray Lewis has taught me anything about being a fan its to appreciate that player you love while they are still here!

I'm on board for Ray's last ride, and that's emotional enough. Let's cross the bridge when it comes to Boldin, and cherish the time he certainly has left with the team.

Oh and yes Boldin is a beast, and his red zone looks have gone up since Caldwell has taken over. I always thought he was underutilized in the redzone.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='Ravenseconbeast' timestamp='1358840448' post='1325512']
I know what you are saying. Even then, I think we can find a way to make it work. Maybe extension of 2-3 years with paycut? Cap friendly incentives for Kruger and Ellerbe? [b] Restructure few contracts?[/b] Our FO can get pretty creative to fit players to keep our organization move forward every year. I think we can figure something out imo.

One of the major thing I preached all season is to keep Flacco contract reasonable. He will eventually dictate most of our key FAs. I think we can find a reasonable contract with Flacco instead of a bloated contract that most fans think we will be forced to pay. Reason why I believe that is bc we've done it with Ray Lewis contract. Alot of fans thought we would had to overpay Lewis, but he ended giving us discount in order to help our organization go forward. I think Flacco will try to work with us, instead of this ordeal being one sided.

Thats just my opinion.
[/quote]
See the Steelers for an example of restructuring contracts. They wrote this book:

"Salary Hell for Dummies: Restructuring"

It's a bad idea to keep restructuring deals. It hurts you long-term. Birk, Williams (Bobbie), Lewis should all be retiring if we win the Super Bowl. Ed Reed is another candidate. That saves some money but not a whole lot. Kruger, I think, will be too expensive. I don't think we'll be bringing him back, unless he takes a really team-friendly discount. Williams has more of a chance returning. Go look at the list of FA OLBs & FA CBs. There are a lot more CBs than OLBs, and that will inflate Kruger's value and decrease Williams'.

Anyway, regardless, I hope Flacco does take a cap-friendly deal. In my opinion, our top-3 are Flacco, Reed & Ellerbe.