Anquan Boldin is no doubt one of the best wide receivers in professional football. Since the Cardinals drafted him in the second round in 2003, he has been a staple part of this team. He is one of the reasons the Cardinals were successful this year in their quest to play in the Superbowl. And, don't forget, he has been paid. Well paid. As a rookie, he signed a contract to play football. Boldin continued to play well and the Cardinals rewarded him with a new contract. Not at the end of the original contract, before it was up. Most people do not know this, because you do not hear about this type of contract negotiations. Yes, the Cardinals tore up the original contract and gave Boldin a new one. Worth more money. For this contract, Boldin chose a longer term (4 years, $22.67 mil., $5 mil. signing bonus) with more money up front. This contract does not end until after the 2010 season. Two more years. He is only two years into the contract that he signed. THAT HE SIGNED! Why now, would he even think he is entitled to more money?
Boldin is upset because he is no longer getting paid what other elite receivers are signing contracts for. This is because he signed his contract extension 2 years ago. Just two years. Contracts now are worth more. But when Boldin signed his contract (did I mention that HE SIGNED IT), his contract was one of the top contracts out there. If he was worried that the contract he signed was not going to pay him what he was worth, then why did he agree to a longer term? Because he could sign a long term contract, load it upfront with guaranteed money, and then, two years later, wine, cry and demand a trade so he can have it both ways. This is unfair to the Cardinals. Everybody talks about how Boldin is a stand up guy, a natural leader and an asset to the locker room. I question this.
So now, after the Cardinals failed to trade Boldin before the draft (they tried, but nobody wanted to commit anything for him), Boldin has decided to make you, me and the team so sick of him that he must be traded elsewhere. The Cardinals had their first off season mini camp last week. If he wanted to make a statement, he could of just stayed home. But he didn't. He showed up, lied about an alleged hamstring injury, and didn't work out. If he stays home, he is out of site, out of mind. His agent, Drew Rousenhouse, has advised him to "agitate" the team and his teammates to try to escalate the issue. This truly shows how classy Boldin and his agent is.
The souring of Boldin started back when the Cardinals resigned Larry Fitzgerald to an extension last year. Because the contract was newer, it was worth more. That's just the way it is. Ask anybody. But rather than accept that fact, Boldin started laying the groundwork for his next payday. But the problem is that that is still another two years away. But why should that matter? Just because he signed his contract...oh wait, that is exactly why it matters. Boldin is upset because of the amount of money Fitz made last year. One of the reasons is that the contract that Fitzgerald was heavy in incentives, and he made them! There is an idea, pay a guy for what he accomplishes, not what he might accomplish! Fitzgerald got bonuses for making the pro bowl, playing in at least 35% of the total plays, leading the Cardinals to the playoffs, and for reaching milestones with the number of catches he made in the season and yards completed. Yes, because Fitzgerald performed, he got paid, and paid well. So this just proves that Fitzgerald and Co. were smarter than Boldin and Co. Now, Boldin and company claim that the Cardinals promised him a new deal and then failed to make that happen. The Cardinals say that never happened. I was not there, but the bottom line is, the deal didn't get done and no one knows why. So, accept it and move on.
Boldin should realize he has no chance of winning sympathy. Not in this economy, and not after the team ripped up his original contract earlier in the decade, rewarding him with $10 million in bonus money. Boldin took the short-term security then, diminishing his case in 2009.
The Cardinals for years have tried to give the fans what they want. Good football. The way football works, this is a difficult thing to accomplish. If you are a Cards fan, then you understand. I wish the Cardinals would refuse to trade him, and make him honor the contract. But that won't happen. Most likely, Boldin will get traded because he and his agent will make it impossible for the Cardinals. Blame Boldin. Blame Rousenhouse. But do not blame the Cardinals.
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