Anquan Boldin to retire if cut

[J-man]

[quote name='ArmyRavensFan' timestamp='1360378346' post='1351178']
Is that really that much for your number one receiver?
[/quote]

Boldin hasn't really put up #1 receiever stats his 3 years here. Don't get me wrong, I love him, and he's a great reciever, and a top reason Joe was so successful in the post season, but he isnt worth what he is getting. I'd say he's more of a $4-5 million man.

[Gordo52]

I'm glad my Boldin tshirt jersey will always be acceptable to wear!

[ArmyRavensFan]

So under that logic, Flacco has not put up top QB stats and shouldnt be paid like a top QB. That is except in the post season where Q has also put up top receiever stats.

[quote name='J-man' timestamp='1360453224' post='1352268']
Boldin hasn't really put up #1 receiever stats his 3 years here. Don't get me wrong, I love him, and he's a great reciever, and a top reason Joe was so successful in the post season, but he isnt worth what he is getting. I'd say he's more of a $4-5 million man.
[/quote]

[Crabcakes&Football]

We should extend him and lower his number, he was our go to guy in the playoffs while our other receivers made great plays they were more hit and miss. Offer him something fair and I guarantee he's worth every penny. A full year with Caldwell and he's almost a lock to top 1k next year assuming he stays healthy.

[Guest RBates]

This is great news for Ravens fans. Anquan just might have moved in my top Five favorite Ravens. Love that he said this! Now sign him back to this team. Joe better think long and hard about not playing with Anquan. It could get ugly quick.

and no

Doss is not his replacement!

[Raven07]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1360442322' post='1352023']
Our FO is too smart. You dont outright cut a guy with his production and who contributed that much to a SB! He just said I'll take less. It'll get done, guaranteed!
[/quote] Raven Brass did mention extending his contract like they did with Pollard (to reduce his cap number) as a option they are looking into. if they get rid of him. its gonna surely haunt at least some people that what IF we had kept him....... IF a situation during the season comes up where a player drops a pass or for whatever reason, something that Boldin regularly made when he was here, something like a Lee Evans situation drop. im sure ALOT of people will then start 2nd guessing "man the Ravens are REALLY missing Boldin, this is the time he shines!" type thing. Oz work your magic!

[beasy2487]

[quote name='ArmyRavensFan' timestamp='1360454010' post='1352280']
So under that logic, Flacco has not put up top QB stats and shouldnt be paid like a top QB. That is except in the post season where Q has also put up top receiever stats.
[/quote]

It's a question of leverage. You draft a quarterback to go to the playoffs and win you a Super Bowl. Most QBs never do any of those things and Flacco has consistently gone to the playoffs in a system that didn't ask him to do too much (contributing heavily to his stats), but when asked to carry the team he did that. Quarterbacks are not paid for stats, they're paid to win the Super Bowl. The Ravens have no leverage in this argument with Flacco. Bisciotti[i] [/i][i]told [/i]Joe he could have whatever he wanted if he went out and brought home that ring. Keeping the team balanced is the FO's job, not Joe's. He did his, and he deserves to be paid top dollar for doing so.

To the point about his stats, Flacco has hinted multiple times that he would love to be putting up eye-popping numbers but the offense, particularly the offense under Cam, did not put him in a position to do that.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='Pats' timestamp='1360394030' post='1351465']
he's just saying this for a bargaining chip to stay with the ravens while getting paid well, if for whatever reason he isn't resigned he would go to another top team like the 49ers or maybe pittsburgh or seattle
[/quote]

This doesn't help him at the bargaining table at all. If anything, it tells the Ravens he's willing to restructure or be cut and come back for less money. He wouldn't be cut for anything related to performance. He's been beast for us, especially in the post season. It's just a cap game.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='ArmyRavensFan' timestamp='1360449442' post='1352189']
If the Ravens pay Flacco 18-20 million a year then the Ravens made the decision to go become completely unbalanced. There is no other reason to do so. They are gambling that the offense can get it done. If the Ravens want to stay balanced, then they do not pay any QB that much money.
[/quote]
Oh so just because we are investing into a franchise QB (our franchise QB) that means we are going to become an unbalanced team? I disagree with you completely. The Ravens are paying Flacco because they believe he will be a top QB in this league. Yes, we've invested heavily into our offense but that was because we were so unbalanced before. We're a very balanced team right now and that's how you build a SB contender.

You do not have to become an unbalanced team due to the QBs contract. That's ridiculous.

[PurpleCityLights]

They better cut L. williams and David Reed before thinking about Q.

[Moderator 3]

Williams and Reed together don't cost half of what Boldin costs and their best years are ahead of them. I want to keep Boldin, too, but don't throw away the future to do it.

[rmw10]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1360521163' post='1353052']
Williams and Reed together don't cost half of what Boldin costs and their best years are ahead of them. I want to keep Boldin, too, but don't throw away the future to do it.
[/quote]

Agreed.

Torrey Smith is obviously here to stay.
Jacoby Jones should also be obvious, but you never know.
Tandon Doss is still a popular guy that had a rough game.
Deonte Thompson has tons of speed and a lot of potential.
David Reed still has potential regardless of his hatred around here.
LaQuan Williams still has potential, but wouldn't be surprised to see him cut.
Tommy Streeter is a very intriguing project.
A draft pick may also come in.

That's a lot of young talent to cut in favor of a great, but aging veteran. If Anquan is cheap enough, then you absolutely keep him. But if we're talking a $7.5 million cap hit minus some young talent and someone like Ellerbe (just to make a point), then you absolutely have to cut Boldin.

[jaege]

[quote name='rmw10' timestamp='1360523552' post='1353108']
Agreed.

Torrey Smith is obviously here to stay.
Jacoby Jones should also be obvious, but you never know.
Tandon Doss is still a popular guy that had a rough game.
Deonte Thompson has tons of speed and a lot of potential.
David Reed still has potential regardless of his hatred around here.
LaQuan Williams still has potential, but wouldn't be surprised to see him cut.
Tommy Streeter is a very intriguing project.
A draft pick may also come in.

That's a lot of young talent to cut in favor of a great, but aging veteran. If Anquan is cheap enough, then you absolutely keep him. But if we're talking a $7.5 million cap hit minus some young talent and someone like Ellerbe (just to make a point), then you absolutely have to cut Boldin.
[/quote]


If you remove Torrey and Jones from that list and then add the entire performance of the remaining guys, they do not equal half of what Boldin did in the playoffs. Cut all of them and offer those salaries to Boldin, maybe he will stay. Then you get some room to bring in decent rookies.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1360521163' post='1353052']
Williams and Reed together don't cost half of what Boldin costs and their best years are ahead of them. I want to keep Boldin, too, but don't throw away the future to do it.
[/quote]
I'll be completely shocked if the future of our WR corps includes Williams and Reed. Reed has been here for 3 years and has like 1 catch. But I get what you're saying.

[jaege]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1360521163' post='1353052']
Williams and Reed together don't cost half of what Boldin costs and their best years are ahead of them. I want to keep Boldin, too, but don't throw away the future to do it.
[/quote]


If L. Williams and D. Reed are our future then we are in big trouble.

[rmw10]

[quote name='jaege' timestamp='1360527539' post='1353176']
If you remove Torrey and Jones from that list and then add the entire performance of the remaining guys, they do not equal half of what Boldin did in the playoffs. Cut all of them and offer those salaries to Boldin, maybe he will stay. Then you get some room to bring in decent rookies.
[/quote]

Oh I agree with that. However, Boldin likely has 2 or 3 years left in him max. Everyone else on the list has 5-8 years left in the tank. It's not like all of our backups are scrubs. We have a lot of potential there. We can't just cut them to keep a guy who is going to retire soon. Me personally, I'd much rather have 3 or 4 of the following for the longevity of their careers over Boldin's 2 or 3 years.

[jaege]

[quote name='rmw10' timestamp='1360535741' post='1353352']
Oh I agree with that. However, Boldin likely has 2 or 3 years left in him max. Everyone else on the list has 5-8 years left in the tank. It's not like all of our backups are scrubs. We have a lot of potential there. We can't just cut them to keep a guy who is going to retire soon. Me personally, I'd much rather have 3 or 4 of the following for the longevity of their careers over Boldin's 2 or 3 years.
[/quote]


If we were talking about guys that showed even an inkling of potential I would agree, but Williams, Reed, Thompson and Streeter have done very little to nothing. 5-8 years of nothing is not quite as good as 2-3 years of success. These guys have been on the team for several years and have not been deemed good enough by the FO to play, at least not much. I guess Streeter is a rookie still? None-the-less, a proven commodity is much more valuable than a maybe. Although I guess they are all still playing on a rookie contract so cutting them would solve nothing.

[ArmyRavensFan]

It doesnt make sense to invest in a QB unless you give him good WRs and a good offensive line. Flacco has proven that he needs both to be succussful.

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1360511001' post='1352898']
Oh so just because we are investing into a franchise QB (our franchise QB) that means we are going to become an unbalanced team? I disagree with you completely. The Ravens are paying Flacco because they believe he will be a top QB in this league. Yes, we've invested heavily into our offense but that was because we were so unbalanced before. We're a very balanced team right now and that's how you build a SB contender.

You do not have to become an unbalanced team due to the QBs contract. That's ridiculous.
[/quote]

[ArmyRavensFan]

You missed my point. I wasnt saying that stats were important. I was saying that just like Joe, Q always shows up in critical situations and when the game is on the line, he is at his best.

[quote name='beasy2487' timestamp='1360510394' post='1352889']
It's a question of leverage. You draft a quarterback to go to the playoffs and win you a Super Bowl. Most QBs never do any of those things and Flacco has consistently gone to the playoffs in a system that didn't ask him to do too much (contributing heavily to his stats), but when asked to carry the team he did that. Quarterbacks are not paid for stats, they're paid to win the Super Bowl. The Ravens have no leverage in this argument with Flacco. Bisciotti[i] [/i][i]told [/i]Joe he could have whatever he wanted if he went out and brought home that ring. Keeping the team balanced is the FO's job, not Joe's. He did his, and he deserves to be paid top dollar for doing so.

To the point about his stats, Flacco has hinted multiple times that he would love to be putting up eye-popping numbers but the offense, particularly the offense under Cam, did not put him in a position to do that.
[/quote]

[GermanRaven]

I hope they will work a deal for 2-3 more years out with Q!
Oh and then they have to restructure his contract of course.

[luvrayrice27]

boldin is in good shape to play a few more years. Its not like hes so old that hes useless. He has enough fuel in his tank to deliver another great season. If he says he going to retire if cut then the front office should do all they can to keep him. His talent is going to waste the next few years if they let him go because he doesnt want to go anywhere else. I think he will take any deal because hes LOYAL and on top of that, hes a very consistent player
Dont make this mistake Ozzie

[beasy2487]

[quote name='ArmyRavensFan' timestamp='1360449442' post='1352189']
If the Ravens pay Flacco 18-20 million a year then the Ravens made the decision to go become completely unbalanced. There is no other reason to do so. They are gambling that the offense can get it done. If the Ravens want to stay balanced, then they do not pay any QB that much money.
[/quote]
[quote name='ArmyRavensFan' timestamp='1360454010' post='1352280']
So under that logic, Flacco has not put up top QB stats and shouldnt be paid like a top QB. That is except in the post season where Q has also put up top receiever stats.
[/quote]
[quote name='ArmyRavensFan' timestamp='1360536141' post='1353359']
It doesnt make sense to invest in a QB unless you give him good WRs and a good offensive line. Flacco has proven that he needs both to be succussful.
[/quote]
[quote name='ArmyRavensFan' timestamp='1360536497' post='1353370']
You missed my point. I wasnt saying that stats were important. I was saying that just like Joe, Q always shows up in critical situations and when the game is on the line, he is at his best.
[/quote]

Mmmm... Although I responded only to one of your posts, the above line of thinking was what I was arguing against, thus I don't think I missed the point at all. Your overall argument is that Flacco shouldn't seek max money because if he does the team will not be able to equip him to be successful. That's a false premise because:

A. Every quarterback is more successful with great receivers and a strong o-line... that's basically a truism
B. Flacco has improved every year and it stands to reason that this arc will continue, not regress
C. Flacco is a guy that holds himself accountable. He understands the expectations that come with that type of money so if he commands it he knows he also commands the responsibility that comes as well. It's on him to make the players around him better and it's on the organization to find a way a give him the tools he needs. He deserves a huge contract, has all the leverage in the world, and will get a huge contract.
D. Q's emergence had as much to do with the play-calling as it had to do with Q. I like to think Caldwell put everyone in a much better position and that our organization will do what they have to do to replicate this next year, regardless of what pieces return to our offense.
E. Not to take anything away from Q, but his importance to our team pales in comparison to Flacco, which goes back to my point about leverage. Q is great, but he's a not a Quarterback-making wide receiver like a Megatron or an AJ Green, especially at this late stage in his career.

[dirtybird10]

[quote name='jaege' timestamp='1360367625' post='1350873']
Thats what I am talking about. We did it for Birk. Give him 3 years at 6 or 7 mill with a light bonus. Let him retire next year or the year after.
[/quote]

Yup, I mean after the performance he put up this year he was like Mason 08-09 for Joe through the playoffs. He is still a quality receiver, and he wants to be hear. Although I really want to see some of our younger guys start to take on larger roles so we can see what we have with them. I don't can't be cool with letting Boldin go without at least a real shot at signing him to a cap friendly deal.

[Raven522092]

I truly hope we can restructure his contract somehow so that he can stay.
What about redoing Suggs, AQ and Ngatas contracts? I believe Suggs is set to make something like 12-13 mil this year!
I could be wrong about the number, but I do believe it's over 10 mil, so if we can redo his contract that could help the money situation as well.

[DMH_in_WA]

[quote name='beasy2487' timestamp='1360547475' post='1353875']
D. [b]Q's emergence had as much to do with the play-calling as it had to do with Q.[/b] I like to think Caldwell put everyone in a much better position and that our organization will do what they have to do to replicate this next year, regardless of what pieces return to our offense.
[/quote]

I think this is something really important that some people are glossing over when talking about Q. Just as I've asserted in the past that Flacco was being held back by Cameron, I think that is true of a lot of our receivers. Just as I wanted to see Joe get a full year in without Cameron (not in my wildest dreams did I think this offense's production would jump like someone flicked a lightswitch once Cameron was gone), I would love to see Q next year under Caldwell's playcalling. He was so dominant down the stretch, if at all possible I'd love to see him back.

[quote name='Raven522092' timestamp='1360602715' post='1354454']
I truly hope we can restructure his contract somehow so that he can stay.
What about redoing Suggs, AQ and Ngatas contracts? I believe Suggs is set to make something like 12-13 mil this year!
I could be wrong about the number, but I do believe it's over 10 mil, so if we can redo his contract that could help the money situation as well.
[/quote]

If we go by what Ozzie and Bisciotti said, they are not repeating the mistakes of 2001. What they have said is that they are not going to restructure a bunch of contracts sacrificing the team just for next year. After the way they got burned trying to go back to back in 2001, I can understand it.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='DMH_in_WA' timestamp='1360628054' post='1354936']
I think this is something really important that some people are glossing over when talking about Q. Just as I've asserted in the past that Flacco was being held back by Cameron, I think that is true of a lot of our receivers. Just as I wanted to see Joe get a full year in without Cameron (not in my wildest dreams did I think this offense's production would jump like someone flicked a lightswitch once Cameron was gone), I would love to see Q next year under Caldwell's playcalling. He was so dominant down the stretch, if at all possible I'd love to see him back.



If we go by what Ozzie and Bisciotti said, they are not repeating the mistakes of 2001. What they have said is that they are not going to restructure a bunch of contracts sacrificing the team just for next year. After the way they got burned trying to go back to back in 2001, I can understand it.
[/quote]
The only contract I would like to restructure is Suggs. He's only got two more years left on it. It's a risk on our part because he might not be the same player. Then again, it could be a reward as we could get him cheaper.

[ravenator5286]

Great video I took of Jacoby's kickoff return while at the game last weekend!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDPuBOOva1k

[Bravens292]

if how he played under caldwell was any sign, this guy has to stay. he got more TD's with caldwell in just 5 games than cam got out of him this year ! Wouldn't an extension seem obvious at this point? I hope that Steve and Oz didn't mean NOBODY would get a restructure. i interpret it as there won't be multiple restructures.

[Ravensfan23]

The Ravens have a lot of talent behind Q, the only problem for fans is, we havent seen it. However coaches have seen it and now Caldwell will have a full offseason to figure out how he wants to use them.

Both Dickson and Doss played a lot more under Caldwell then they did under Cam. We were all hard on Doss for his tough game against the Colts, but he still had a impact on the offense during the Super Bowl run. He drew a couple big PI calls and had other times when he was open, but wasn't among Flacco's top reads. With or without Boldin, I think Doss will be given ample opportunity to build the same type of trust level with Flacco that Smith, Pitta and Boldin have.

Caldwell actually used Dickson a lot in the SB run as well. Surprisingly Dickson drew a lot of coverage which held Safeties attention. It'll be interesting to see how Caldwell will scheme 2TE sets into the offense.

Boldin is the man and I would love to see him stay. However I think the offense will continue to grow with or without him. People talk about Caldwell helping Flacco, but the biggest reason he helped was because he schemed for guys to get open. Boldin's physical nature is what helped him get open, but because he lacks explosiveness, a lot of this catches were contested. That's why certain catches were so tough to make. It wasn't all Boldin bailing Joe out or being his security blanket, Boldin made those catches tough.

Q played like a man who refused to allow the team to waste another opportunity to get that ring, but it's clear his career is ending. He'll still be able to produce this year, but he'll have to take a pay cut to stay. No way do you take Boldin over youth.

[ravenator5286]

I'm confident that we will resign him. If we don't, the best case is still for him retiring a Raven! Like I said though, I'm confident that he will get a deal worked out