Anquan Boldin is Not Happy and Not Backing Down

by cgolden on Jul 24, 2008 4:34 PM MDT in General Arizona Cardinals News

I'm sure we'll get more details on the situation but for now we know that Anquan Boldin talked to the media today and he didn't pull any punches. According to Darren Urban, he told the media that he has told Drew Rosenhaus to stop negotiating with the team and that he would not sign a new deal. He wouldn't say that he would demand a trade and he understands that he still has three years on his deal but he did make it clear that his days in Arizona are numbered.

"It's been going on two years, especially after last year, I was promised a new deal before the season," Boldin said. "Right now I don’t want a deal. People might think I am being funny or saying it just to say it, but for me, I’m tired of it. I wash my hands of the whole situation. My agent is under orders to not negotiate."

Here's what Boldin had say when asked how fans would react:

Boldin said he would tell them he wants a new contract “because I’ve earned it. I think my numbers speak for themselves, and they (the Cardinals) even came out publicly and said that I outplayed my contract. I mean, I don’t have to make a case to anybody about why I’m deserving of a new contract. That’s self-explanatory.”
It has nothing to do with Fitzgerald’s deal, either, he said. “Larry earned everything that he got. Honestly, he played his butt off. He deserved it.”

I'm sure we'll get the full transcript of his interview later this evening or tomorrow morning but for now, I can't imagine it being much worse. I'd still like to see him turn down a contract similar to Fitz's but we may never see that happen.

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Sam Alipour

said something in his article that made me thing of Q.

Is this him: ”....One under-contract Pro Bowler says his days with his team are numbered. “It seems whoever leaves us gets a Super Bowl ring,” he told me. “We’re a mess.”

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=alipour/080720

by Red Reign on Jul 24, 2008 6:37 PM MDT reply actions

Interesting

I’m trying to remember who has left Arizona for a ring though…....

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Jul 25, 2008 5:35 AM MDT up reply actions

Mixed feelings

I hate to see Q unhappy as much as any Cards fan, but this may not be as bad for the franchise as it appears. Think about it, If this truly is Q’s stance and he is willing to play out his current contract regardless and move on, then the cards are getting a high caliber pro-bowl receiver at a discount for three more years to compliment Fitz and help develop the young WR core.

We all know we can’t afford to pay both receivers big time contracts and still fund a winning football team, so they better make the best of what they have for the next three years and push for that title run. Whether he’s satisfied with his contract or not, do any readers out there actually believe Q can enter the field and not give his 110% over the next three seasons? I can’t imagine him pulling a CJ or Randy Moss type of move either.

I may be alone, but I respect his position on this matter. It will be a high character move of Boldin to play out his current contract without raising issue, after which he can move on to a more lucrative contract with a team that can afford to pay him what he is worth. Under this scenario he will not lose the respect of his loyal Cardinals fans and we can continue to embrace his career where ever he ends up.

by AJ BirdWatcher on Jul 24, 2008 7:00 PM MDT reply actions

Torn

I have a hard time believing that he can play three more seasons with this story constantly swirling behind him. Especially once Drew gets in his ear and start whispering ‘just hold out, they’ll give in.’ I’ve got a bad feeling about how this could turn out. I can’t imagine him acting like Ocho Cinco or Randy but then again I never would have guessed he would have said what he said today.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Jul 25, 2008 5:40 AM MDT up reply actions

Q

Q is a dynamic player with great stats being that he missess quite a few games every year. I hate FSU but I am a big Q fan. I agree he outplayed his contract but that was only when he played. I can’t see giving him a huge contract just to be on the IR again. That’s why I stand by my original stance that they drafted Doucet to replace Q because he was so similar to Q but at a reduced price. I’m sure his injury proneness has lot to do with his contract issues. He would have no doubt gone to four pro bowls in four years had it not been for injuries. The cards need one star and quality depth at receiver to go with their hopes of an improved running game vs. two high priced receivers, no quality depth at receiver and no wiggle room with the rest of the roster. With our continuity on the line and our drefting of Marion Barber IV (I mean Hightower) you will see our ground game vastly improve to at least respectable and our offense more balanced on the road to more of a running team.

by hevchv on Jul 25, 2008 1:14 AM MDT reply actions