Anquan Boldin

[PolishRifle]

Torrey Smith has the talent to be a #1 receiver, imho. I love Anquan and hope we manage to keep him, but if it's a decision between Joe's contract and retaining Boldin, it is an easy, albeit unfortunate, choice. Superbowl QB's are harder to find then great receivers.

[RavensDE]

He's been great and every bit necessary to get us to the superbowl but we will do what we must to be the best team moving forward. We rarely cut vets we have signed if they have played up to their contracts and he has. Next year we don't have much cap space and Reed, Kruger, Ellerbe, and others are unrestricted free agents. These are decisions for the future. Every man kept is a man lost. Let's just win the Superbowl and every man we lose will be a rich man we couldn't afford anyway.

[RavensDE]

[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? 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.
[/quote]

So "in your opinion" we will keep Boldin, Ellerbe and Kruger? and Flacco sign a cheap deal to work with us? Wishful thinking IMO. Flacco had a cheaper deal on the table at seasons onset. Ellerbe and Kruger will command solid contracts. Kruger is a pass rusher so you can expect someone to overpay him. We also still have Reed to resign should he not retire. We can lose players and keep the train moving, don't worry.

[Ravenseconbeast]

[quote name='RavensDE' timestamp='1358866504' post='1325707']
So "in your opinion" we will keep Boldin, Ellerbe and Kruger? and Flacco sign a cheap deal to work with us? Wishful thinking IMO. Flacco had a cheaper deal on the table at seasons onset. Ellerbe and Kruger will command solid contracts. Kruger is a pass rusher so you can expect someone to overpay him. We also still have Reed to resign should he not retire. We can lose players and keep the train moving, don't worry.
[/quote]

I think we could. But our FO has to get creative. I wouldn't say franchising or giving him a top 10 money is a 'cheap' deal at all. We are 15.7 mill under cap next year. Not really wishful thinking if u can move few pieces here and there.

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1358840717' post='1325513']
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
[/quote]
That Ozzie guy.

Not bad.

[tsizzle95]

this is way too funny...

[img]http://i.minus.com/ilnnwTchVr4Nx.gif[/img]

[The Prestige]

Anquan Boldin is truly a force of nature. He's like an agent of change. Bernard Pollard, my favorite Raven, can be seen the same way. Maybe his personality was forged in his childhood. I know he is from a rather impoverished and forgotten part of the country in Pahokee. There are a lot of players on this team that came from humble beginnings.

Maybe he got his swag at Florida State. There was a certain expectation, a standard to live up to. 3 of the 5 WRs taken ahead of Boldin never made it to 650 receiving yards. Only Andre Johnson made it past 3938 rec yards. Boldin has 10,165.

Q has compared catching to rebounding, basically saying that it's sort of like a matter of will.

In my estimation, no one - not even Peyton Manning or Tony Gonzalez - has received more recommendations changing teams in recent years than Bernard Pollard and Anquan Boldin have. Fans of their old teams - including their college teams - have nothing but praise for them, and miss them dearly.

Like so many on this team, he seems to convert adversity and criticism into motivation.

[dhstandard]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1358863875' post='1325661']
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.
[/quote]

I was a little blunt saying you wanted him gone, but in essence that is what you are saying. This argument isn't about whether we like Boldin or not, it's if he is worth 7 million in cap space. You either think he is worth it or you don't. Mason and Heap were different. Heap suffered from injuries and Mason wasn't as dominant as Boldin (not looking at stats). Also Boldin is only 32 while Mason is 39 ( I think 37 when we cut him).

In my honest opinion I think this entire discussion is meaningless. We will probably extend him to a 3 year deal and move some of the money to the back end. I could see 3 more years of solid production from Boldin. He has a longer expiration date since he gets open through his physicality and route running and has the ability to make catches while covered instead of his speed (or lack thereof).

[K-Dog]

[quote name='izvoodoo' timestamp='1358870697' post='1325784']
That Ozzie guy.

Not bad.
[/quote]

I could never do his job.
I would spend this team broke

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1358906327' post='1326862']
I could never do his job.
I would spend this team broke
[/quote]
I really appreciate ozzie. He treats us fans right.

[ThePurpleWall]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1358906327' post='1326862']
I could never do his job.
I would spend this team broke
[/quote]
hes the best for a reason =)

[callahan09]

Saw this quote from Peter King's Monday Morning QB about Q:

"[color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=2]Boldin is simply the best physical receiver in football. He was joking with me a couple weeks ago when he said he'd rip a corner's arm out of its socket rather than let him knock a big reception away. But I'm not so sure he was kidding."[/size][/font][/color]

Simply awesome. Boldin wants to win this Super Bowl more than anyone, I think. He has a WILL! He has been imposing his will on defenses all post-season long, just refusing to be beaten. He will be our X-Factor in the Super Bowl. Maybe even the MVP.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='dhstandard' timestamp='1358903317' post='1326758']


I was a little blunt saying you wanted him gone, but in essence that is what you are saying. This argument isn't about whether we like Boldin or not, it's if he is worth 7 million in cap space. You either think he is worth it or you don't. Mason and Heap were different. Heap suffered from injuries and Mason wasn't as dominant as Boldin (not looking at stats). Also Boldin is only 32 while Mason is 39 ( I think 37 when we cut him).

In my honest opinion I think this entire discussion is meaningless. We will probably extend him to a 3 year deal and move some of the money to the back end. I could see 3 more years of solid production from Boldin. He has a longer expiration date since he gets open through his physicality and route running and has the ability to make catches while covered instead of his speed (or lack thereof).
[/quote]
I'd love for the Ravens to restructure/extend him for another 3 years, but it would really depend. You run a serious risk here if you extend him too long with too much guaranteed money. Smith is on his rookie deal, which is a 4 year deal that will expire in two more years. You know he's getting his. I would say we should extend Boldin's deal to end with Smith so that we can divert his money to Smith. Anything longer may not benefit the team.

Do I think Boldin's worth $7 million? Yes and no. At the beginning of the year, no. But recently he has played at a very high level, probably attributed to the change of coach. But we also have Ellerbe, Kruger, Reed, Williams, McKinnie as free agents. We also have to re-sign Flacco. Then we have our RFAs & ERFAs, draft picks. It's going to be tough to keep all these players. Would you rather have Boldin over JJ if it came to it? Not being smart, that's an honest question.

[RavenArgento]

We cant afford to let Boldin go somewhere else, since Caldwell is in charge this guy is one of the key players and Flacco´s favourite target in clutch moments. We can afford to let Krueger go, we can afford to get McKinnie go too (if we take his age and recent history in consideration), but not this guy

[dhstandard]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1358912948' post='1327105']
I'd love for the Ravens to restructure/extend him for another 3 years, but it would really depend. You run a serious risk here if you extend him too long with too much guaranteed money. Smith is on his rookie deal, which is a 4 year deal that will expire in two more years. You know he's getting his. I would say we should extend Boldin's deal to end with Smith so that we can divert his money to Smith. Anything longer may not benefit the team.

Do I think Boldin's worth $7 million? Yes and no. At the beginning of the year, no. But recently he has played at a very high level, probably attributed to the change of coach. But we also have Ellerbe, Kruger, Reed, Williams, McKinnie as free agents. We also have to re-sign Flacco. Then we have our RFAs & ERFAs, draft picks. It's going to be tough to keep all these players. Would you rather have Boldin over JJ if it came to it? Not being smart, that's an honest question.
[/quote]

To tell the truth...yes. Without Boldin our receiving corps loses a ton of talent. Top corners switch off between Boldin and Torrey and teams need to gameplan against both. If Boldin leaves we lose a major part of our receiving corps and the offense may struggle again. Boldin plays every game and is a factor in every game whether he gets a lot of yards or not. Simply taking the top corner off Torrey is a big deal. Kruger is a 3rd down rotation pass rusher, McKinnie has done well but I don't believe he can make it through a full season. Ed Reed is most likely not coming back and I have accepted that. Ellerbe can fit into our current cap situation and while Cary has stepped up, he isn't worth the asking price. We have Webb coming back (hopefully near his same talent level) and Corey Graham. Jimmy Smith and Chykie Brown have shown pretty solid potential as well. Our young receiving corps, has not.

[The Raven]

Correction: Nobody on this site wanted him gone. We only feared that we wouldn't be able to retain him.

[Footman DCXLV]

I've said it before in other threads about Boldin. Torrey's speed is a great weapon, but Anquan Boldin is the only receiver on this roster who can take over a game. That's clearly what we've seen in this postseason. I never thought he was going anywhere, and I certainly don't after seeing how the playoffs have played out.
I know money is going to be an issue, especially with Joe's payday coming. But, Ray's leaving, and if we win, I fully expect Reed, and probably Matt Birk to retire along with him. That can open things up a bit, and Boldin could always be asked to restructure.
Bottom line, the Ravens need Anquan Boldin.

[cursona pirate]

Maybe if we send him a lot of Valentine cards...

[The Prestige]

It's bit of a bummer for me. I think the Ravens would win without him, but he's one of my favorite Ravens.

[Greatness]

[quote name='tsizzle95' timestamp='1358870850' post='1325788']
this is way too funny...

[img]http://i.minus.com/ilnnwTchVr4Nx.gif[/img]
[/quote]

You have to keep him just for that.

[GrimCoconut]

I just read on Rotoworld that Adam Shefter reported on NFL Live that the Ravens may have to cut Boldin next year, because we are already over the 2013 salary cap.

Can someone explain that to me? All indications were that we were under. I'm confused.

[Yatagarasu]

I assume all those playoff escalators really eat up the cap.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1359685417' post='1337186']
I assume all those playoff escalators really eat up the cap.
[/quote]
That's what I figured but I never saw anything about it.

If we are $5M over, Boldin really might be cut.

[JO_75]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1359685985' post='1337189']
That's what I figured but I never saw anything about it.

If we are $5M over, Boldin really might be cut.
[/quote]

I really hope we don't have to cut him. The cap goes up in 2014 doesn't it? Can't we extend Boldin and give him a new contract in order to avoid cutting him? Plus what about asking Yanda, and some others to take pay cuts in order to help us with the cap. I was even reading we might even cut Jacoby to create more cap room.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1359688257' post='1337200']


I really hope we don't have to cut him. The cap goes up in 2014 doesn't it? Can't we extend Boldin and give him a new contract in order to avoid cutting him? Plus what about asking Yanda, and some others to take pay cuts in order to help us with the cap. I was even reading we might even cut Jacoby to create more cap room.
[/quote]
Ehhh, I think it would be poor to restructure. Maybe a few, but it will hurt us big time. Yanda re-signed with us in 2011. He restructured in 2012. That means in 2013 he restructures again? That's a little much. Also, Jacoby's a young WR who is hitting his prime, Boldin's good but is getting older.

This is a really rough & tough offseason. We're going to have to make very tough decisions.

As far as restructuring goes, I could see Suggs, Leach, Boldin, JJ, Webb, & maybe Ngata as guys we could restructure. But that's iffy.

[K-Dog]

Oz knows what he is doing.
I am not worried.
That said, if Oz is fielding opinions we should keep Boldin.

[JO_75]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1359688731' post='1337207']
Ehhh, I think it would be poor to restructure. Maybe a few, but it will hurt us big time. Yanda re-signed with us in 2011. He restructured in 2012. That means in 2013 he restructures again? That's a little much. Also, Jacoby's a young WR who is hitting his prime, Boldin's good but is getting older.

This is a really rough & tough offseason. We're going to have to make very tough decisions.

As far as restructuring goes, I could see Suggs, Leach, Boldin, JJ, Webb, & maybe Ngata as guys we could restructure. But that's iffy.
[/quote]

Boldin has one year left on his contract, so a restucturing for him is out of the question. Though if we extend him and give him say a 3-4 year contract, we can eliminate the cap hit from next season by lowering his salary in 2013.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1359693469' post='1337302']


Boldin has one year left on his contract, so a restucturing for him is out of the question. Though if we extend him and give him say a 3-4 year contract, we can eliminate the cap hit from next season by lowering his salary in 2013.
[/quote]
Well, that's what I meant. I used the wrong word. I'd try to retain JJ & Boldin, probably extend them both and reduce the 2013 hit. Restructure Webb because I have faith he will be back from this. I'd also extend Leach if possible & reduce his cap hit next year, since he brings a big element to our physical offense.

I'd try to avoid touching Ngata or Yanda. The only other guy I would restructure is Suggs. I just don't like restructuring. It really can hurt you down the line. All this dead money from Foxworth & McGahee is killing us.

[Raven07]

i wont lie ...... my heart sank hard when I saw/heard this.... the man defines what it means to be a Raven. he fights for the heart ... he lives what it takes and breathes the very essence of what it means to be a Raven..... hopefully a contract can be done........

[tctony]

I don't understand who is taking up so much cap room on this team