Anquan, say hello to "Air Snyder One"

fleetus · Post by **fleetus** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:28 pm

Boldin makes a quick getaway
Anquan Boldin | Cardinals
After battling back from a hamstring injury to take the field for the NFC Championship game on Sunday, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin had four catches for 34 yards. But instead of staying to enjoy the spoils of a 32-25 victory, Boldin bolted out the back door of the home locker room while some of his teammates hadn't even made it off of the field, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. In addition, during the Cardinals' game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, Boldin was seen arguing with offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

A group of media members spotted Boldin on the way out of the stadium, and one asked if making it to the Super Bowl eases any of the tension that has existed between himself and the franchise. Boldin responded by saying, "That's not an issue. Like I told you guys at the beginning of the season, my main goal was to do this. I've come through with all of my promises. I fought. I gave my heart to this organization. It's paying off." The follow-up question touched on whether he wanted to stay with the team, to which the star wideout responded, "Next question."

Boldin has been unhappy with the franchise since before the season, when he was unable to re-negotiate his contract with the Cardinals. However, despite playing just 12 games in 2008, he was eighth in the league in receptions and tied for third in receiving touchdowns.

vwoodzpusha · Post by **vwoodzpusha** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:39 pm

I think he still has two years left on his contract. So he doesnt have any real bargaining power. Unless he plans on sitting out the next two years.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:56 pm

There are a number of posters here (at THN) that do not let anything minor like player's who under contract or anything pertinent interfere with them putting together a fantasy team. :lol:

Actually the fact that we have a "Fantasy" section is a little bothering to some who feel that they would rather just throw the stuff in here even though there is not a possibility of any of this coming to pass. :wink:

Then again there are a number of local reporters who report the same sort of BS and if they can do it why not someone with even less in the brain cell count. :roll:

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:19 pm

SkinsJock wrote:There are a number of posters here (at THN) that do not let anything minor like player's who under contract or anything pertinent interfere with them putting together a fantasy team.

Actually the fact that we have a "Fantasy" section is a little bothering to some who feel that they would rather just throw the stuff in here even though there is not a possibility of any of this coming to pass.

Then again there are a number of local reporters who report the same sort of BS and if they can do it why not someone with even less in the brain cell count.

Good point...since it's fantasy can we get Fitz to come with him :lol:

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:25 pm

DEHog wrote:
SkinsJock wrote:There are a number of posters here (at THN) that do not let anything minor like player's who under contract or anything pertinent interfere with them putting together a fantasy team.

Actually the fact that we have a "Fantasy" section is a little bothering to some who feel that they would rather just throw the stuff in here even though there is not a possibility of any of this coming to pass.

Then again there are a number of local reporters who report the same sort of BS and if they can do it why not someone with even less in the brain cell count.

Good point...since it's fantasy can we get Fitz to come with him

hey DEHog! - we could also bring in your boy from the Blue Hens - that QB, he's a keeper that guy - and, you know we aught to put Troy the boy in as our SS to keep LL happy back at FS :wink:

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:10 pm

You know, I wonder about this whole thing with Boldin. I know he came back from having his face shattered and was toughing out a hamstring...but teams do that all the time with recovering WR's. Hines Ward did it a few hours later in Pittsburgh. He was a decoy. His very presence prevented the Eagles from rolling all the coverage over to Fitgerald, right? It's not a reach to say that just being there made a huge difference in the game, considering that Breaston is not all that physical a reciever....and that Edge was not having a great game.
As for why his playing time was limited, even we non-Card fans knew what the deal was. There must have been something they saw in pregame in Boldin's warmup reps that caused the coaches to say, "He's not going to be able to cut" or that his hammy might have hindered any RAC yardage. He might have been injured worse by fully participating.
What I can't get my mind wrapped around is the whole thing where he skipped the locker room festivities to sulk. Being a competitor is one thing...but having been a major part in the offensive set that landed the first SuperBowl berth in approximately 1,230 years for the Cardinals franchise, and knowing that you had one more game to play when 30 other teams were sitting at home wishing they were in your shoes and not finding that reason enough to issue a minor mea culpa by simply making an appearance...well, it's ridiculous. Not even TO or Ocho Cinco would have reacted the same way. I get the feeling that either of those two dodo birds would have at least come out and said, "Hey...we're in. That's it. See you in two weeks" to the press.
Frankly, I don't want him here. He's a solid #2. He'd be like Alvin Harper for us.

PulpExposure · Post by **PulpExposure** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:28 pm

tcwest10 wrote:Frankly, I don't want him here. He's a solid #2. He'd be like Alvin Harper for us.

Boldin is absolutely a #1 receiver, and would be on any other team. For his career, so far, he ranks #1 ALL-TIME for career receiving yards per game (Fitzgerald is 3rd on that list...yikes).

That being said, he was whining after the NFC Championship game. In no way do I want such a me-first player (the locker room thing is linked here) on the Redskins.

Not to mention he'd want a new and ghastly-expensive contract, and to spend MORE MONEY on a WR at this point is freaking ludicrous.

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:42 pm

PulpExposure wrote:
tcwest10 wrote:Frankly, I don't want him here. He's a solid #2. He'd be like Alvin Harper for us.

Boldin is absolutely a #1 receiver, and would be on any other team. For his career, so far, he ranks #1 ALL-TIME for career receiving yards per game (Fitzgerald is 3rd on that list...yikes).

That being said, he was whining after the NFC Championship game. In no way do I want such a me-first player (the locker room thing is linked here) on the Redskins.

Not to mention he'd want a new and ghastly-expensive contract, and to spend MORE MONEY on a WR at this point is freaking ludicrous.

I think you hit the nail on the head PE your right on any other team he is a #1 and I think thats what he wants. I bet he would love to have that moment back....I think ESPN has play that clip over 1000 times...that won't play well around the league.

Champsturf · Post by **Champsturf** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:07 am

PulpExposure wrote:
tcwest10 wrote:Frankly, I don't want him here. He's a solid #2. He'd be like Alvin Harper for us.

Boldin is absolutely a #1 receiver, and would be on any other team. For his career, so far, he ranks #1 ALL-TIME for career receiving yards per game (Fitzgerald is 3rd on that list...yikes).

That being said, he was whining after the NFC Championship game. In no way do I want such a me-first player (the locker room thing is linked here) on the Redskins.

Not to mention he'd want a new and ghastly-expensive contract, and to spend MORE MONEY on a WR at this point is freaking ludicrous.

Not to mention, but Zorn probably wouldn't play him anyway... :wink:

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:57 am

Did anyone ever consider maybe his attitude is b/c of his relationship with the Cards? That maybe he's not happy with the Cards and would be happy (not non-cancerous) somewhere else?

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:32 pm

VetSkinsFan wrote:Did anyone ever consider maybe his attitude is b/c of his relationship with the Cards? That maybe he's not happy with the Cards and would be happy (not non-cancerous) somewhere else?

Yea...but is that justification for calling out your OC during the winning drive in the NFC Championship :shock:

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:14 pm

DEHog wrote:
VetSkinsFan wrote:Did anyone ever consider maybe his attitude is b/c of his relationship with the Cards? That maybe he's not happy with the Cards and would be happy (not non-cancerous) somewhere else?

Yea...but is that justification for calling out your OC during the winning drive in the NFC Championship

I can understand him wanting to be on the field during that drive, yeah.

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:31 pm

JSPB22 wrote:
DEHog wrote:
VetSkinsFan wrote:Did anyone ever consider maybe his attitude is b/c of his relationship with the Cards? That maybe he's not happy with the Cards and would be happy (not non-cancerous) somewhere else?

Yea...but is that justification for calling out your OC during the winning drive in the NFC Championship

I can understand him wanting to be on the field during that drive, yeah.

Yea...but is that justification for calling out your OC during the winning drive in the NFC Championship :shock:

PulpExposure · Post by **PulpExposure** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:46 pm

DEHog wrote:
JSPB22 wrote:
DEHog wrote:
VetSkinsFan wrote:Did anyone ever consider maybe his attitude is b/c of his relationship with the Cards? That maybe he's not happy with the Cards and would be happy (not non-cancerous) somewhere else?

Yea...but is that justification for calling out your OC during the winning drive in the NFC Championship

I can understand him wanting to be on the field during that drive, yeah.

Yea...but is that justification for calling out your OC during the winning drive in the NFC Championship

And then sulking so badly you skip out of the postgame lockerroom out the back door?

Come on. That's pathetic. Great team spirit there, guy.

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:45 pm

If I understand the Boldin situation, he feels he was given a handshake deal that the Cards reneged on.

He said before the season that he would continue to play at the same high level, and he has. I respect a guy who honors his commitments, even if he feels he was wronged.

Apart from that, I don't think we can afford him, and he has to understand that a team needs to be able to pay the other 52 players...not just him.

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:41 pm

PulpExposure wrote:
DEHog wrote:
JSPB22 wrote:
DEHog wrote:
VetSkinsFan wrote:Did anyone ever consider maybe his attitude is b/c of his relationship with the Cards? That maybe he's not happy with the Cards and would be happy (not non-cancerous) somewhere else?

Yea...but is that justification for calling out your OC during the winning drive in the NFC Championship

I can understand him wanting to be on the field during that drive, yeah.

Yea...but is that justification for calling out your OC during the winning drive in the NFC Championship

And then sulking so badly you skip out of the postgame lockerroom out the back door?

Come on. That's pathetic. Great team spirit there, guy.

To be fair, he and others have said it didn't carry over to the locker-room. Now, that could just be them trying to keep team chemistry before the SB, but I just don't know. And like I said, I can understand him wanting to be part of that drive. I also disagree with having an on-the-field argument with the coordinator, but didn't Clinton Portis do sort of the same thing with the HC? It's a heat of the battle moment, and I think it's understandable.

PulpExposure · Post by **PulpExposure** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:19 pm

JSPB22 wrote:To be fair, he and others have said it didn't carry over to the locker-room.

Actually, what I was referring to is apparently he didn't celebrate on the field and ran out of the locker room as soon as he could.

Once the game ended, Boldin, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, left the field quickly without celebrating. According to one postgame account, which he disputed, Boldin was seen leaving the locker room via a back door.

"I didn't leave through a back door. I tried to get in and out as quickly as possible to beat the media," he said. "I didn't want the story line to be me and Todd getting into it."

While the rest of your team is celebrating a huge moment in the history of the Cardinals organization, and receiving a trophy, you leave the field and ran out the door. That's not good team behavior.

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 7:08 pm

I bet he has a great SB!!

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 7:43 pm

Is he a #1 receiver that doesn't have a Larry Fitzgerald to double up?

HEROHAMO · Post by **HEROHAMO** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 8:17 pm

He is still under contract and will be for the next two years. He simply is unhappy that Fitzgerald got a bigger paycheck then he is. I feel he deserves more money.

He probably will hold out next season. They only way the Cardinals let him go is if a team offers a couple draft picks or more. At least a first round and a second. Who knows what the offers will be. All I know is that the Cards wont let him go cheap.

brad7686 · Post by **brad7686** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:51 pm

tcwest10 wrote:Is he a #1 receiver that doesn't have a Larry Fitzgerald to double up?

Yea, he makes a lot of catches with people around him. He doesn't need to have coverage taken away from him. Also, he was excellent before Fitz even developed. If anything he would probably free Moss and company up a bit. That said, I don't see him becoming a Redskin.

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:56 am

I don't see the problem short of the OC argument on the field. He's stated ALL YEAR that he wants out. Where is it written that he has to celebrate with his team? Does it spark team cohesion? No. They're in the SuperBowl so it obviously doesn't HURT team cohesion TOO MUCH, now does it?

edit:wow typos are in abundance early in the morning without my Red Bull

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:57 am

He does most of his damage after he catches the ball...without a doubt he and S.Smith are the best in the game after the catch IMO.

PulpExposure · Post by **PulpExposure** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 12:29 pm

tcwest10 wrote:Is he a #1 receiver that doesn't have a Larry Fitzgerald to double up?

As a rookie (before Larry Fitz got there) he had 101 catches, 1377 yards, 8 TDs. That's with Jeff Blake throwing to him, and the other WR being Bryant Johnson.

In 2005, with Larry Fitz having a probowl year, Boldin had 102 catches, 1402 yards, and 7 TDs.

Not sure if Fitz's presence really made a difference.

PulpExposure · Post by **PulpExposure** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 12:31 pm

VetSkinsFan wrote:I don't see the problem short of the OC argument on the field. He's stated ALL YEAR that he wants out. Where is it written that he has to celebrate with his team? Does it spark team cohesion? No. They's in teh SuperBowl so it obviously doesn't HURT team coheasion TOO MUCH, now does it?

Seriously? I always learned in team sports that no matter how you perform that day, you win and lose as a team. And celebrate wins as a team.

And I think there's an inherent difference between a contract squabble with the FO and a bond with your teammates...