Anquan Boldin to the Arizona Cardinals: "I Don't Think the Relationship Can Be Repaired"

by Hawkwind on Feb 6, 2009 7:07 AM MST in 2009 Off Season Comment 23 comments

Apparently winning doesn't solve every problem. Anquan Boldin isn't backing off his desire to leave the Arizona Cardinals. He's in Hawaii soaking up the sun with team mates, Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Adrian Wilson and Sean Morey, but his mind is not thinking happy thoughts. Following a practice at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, Boldin had this to say to USA Today:

"I don't think the relationship can be repaired with the organization," Boldin told USA TODAY after Thursday's NFC practice for Sunday's Pro Bowl. "It takes more than, 'Well, we did you wrong and we'll pay you this.' It's not about the money. It was always about the principle. Guys being true to their word. I guess I was expected to uphold my end of the bargain, and it wasn't reciprocated."

But will he ask for a trade?

"I'll deal with my agent and see what we have to do," he said, referring to representative Drew Rosenhaus, who declined to comment when contacted. "But my feelings won't change."

His teammates don't seem to share the same sentiment though. Larry Fitzgerald interrupted the interview to say, ".....you'll be back, you wouldn't look good in any other uniform." One thing though that I haven't seen mentioned anywhere else is that Boldin's situation could effect Warner's decision and Warner might wait to see how that situation plays out. He alluded to that theory when he said:

"It's too key to our success to let Anquan go," Warner said. "I don't know if I'm leaning either direction. But (Boldin's situation) is going to be a key piece to it, whether we can do something as a team like this year.....If we can keep that together, that excites me about the possibility of coming back. If not, there will be a lot of struggles to overcome that'll make it harder."

Obviously Rod Graves will have his hands full this off season and it doesn't appear that he'll be able to take any time off. This will likely be a story that we'll follow for the next several months, but I still think that it will all be solved by a big contract. Money almost always trumps principle and the Cardinals have plenty of cap room. The news that Kurt Warner might not make his decision on retirement until Boldin's situation is resolved is disconcerning. Maybe his first ROTB's Arizona Cardinal of the Week award will be enough to convince Warner to come back. How do you see this playing out? Is your decision different if Warner is playing the 'wait and see' game?

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See ya!

Good riddance Boldin, it’s been nice. Free up the cap space and let’s see Fitz, Breaston, Urban and Long as our starting four next season. We could get a stud runningback in FA or the draft and shore up more depth on Defense (ie. CB’s and LB’s).

He get’s hurt all the time anyways.

Who would win in a fight, Whisenhunt or a Hurricane?
Hold on, hold on, what if the Hurricanes name was Whisenhunt?
Daaaaaaaaaa Cards, Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards!!!

by boogatt66 on Feb 6, 2009 11:14 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Dont forget Doucet

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Feb 6, 2009 11:23 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I think Doucet will be in there too...

but I think people comparing him to Boldin was far too premature to this point from what I have seen. LL was toasting our starters in camp and made some ridiculous catches over Hood and Green and DRC. They just never got him the ball in preseason.

Who would win in a fight, Whisenhunt or a Hurricane?
Hold on, hold on, what if the Hurricanes name was Whisenhunt?
Daaaaaaaaaa Cards, Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards!!!

by boogatt66 on Feb 6, 2009 1:23 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Long will need to become fearless on ST to crack the roster

A full season in the system can only help.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Feb 6, 2009 1:30 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Long did have a good game in the pre season... forgot which one.

I think it was the denver game. Ill have to check.

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Feb 6, 2009 1:36 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, Denver

Didn’t see many plays on offense the rest of the year.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Feb 6, 2009 2:16 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow are you serious Boldin?

Come on man we just made the Super Bowl. It sucks to see him possibly go, (since I got a 250$ authentic bolin jersey just a year ago), but maybe the situation really cant be fixed. It would give us some money to use on some FAs, Hayensworth or Peppers anyone?

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Feb 6, 2009 11:23 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

As Gene Simmons once said,

“It’s always about the money. Anyone who says it’s not is lying.”
Q is gone; book it.

by cfaddct on Feb 6, 2009 12:07 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

We'll take him off your hands...

Seriously though, what do you think the Cards would take for him?

Things will get better as they improve...

by Dane Noble on Feb 6, 2009 2:24 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

1st and 3rd rounders to start I'd expect using the Roy Williams trade as precedence

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Feb 6, 2009 4:13 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

He needs us more than we need him

When he gets traded to some shmuck team like Chicago, gets “respected” and realise that there’s no Larry Fitzgerald or Kurt Warner to make you look good, he’ll realise the mistake he made. He may never admit it, but hes making a HUGE mistake if he leaves.

by Irishcardinal on Feb 6, 2009 2:34 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I’m a Q guy, and have wavored a few times about keeping him. But to me it ultimately comes down to this, what can he do for us in street clothes. As fearless as he is, he is also just as fragile. Here’s an idea. Why don’t we torture him while killing two birds with one stone? We should trade him to KC for Tony Gonzalez. That way we get value for him, an All Pro and future Hall of Famer TE and Q would be stuck with Todd another year. I honestly think we have enough WRs and that would put an end to our need at TE.I want Kurt back, but don’t want to pay him 9-10 million a year. Yes he’s worth it, but our D is soo porous and we could get a lot in FA. With the right tweaking I think our o-line could muster a decent running game (Lasean McCoy anyone?) We will be fine. Go CARDS!!!!

by hevchv on Feb 6, 2009 3:21 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I said it in the preseason and I'll say it again.

Can’t spend that much money on one position. Breaston proved he can step-up. So you have Stevey B and Fitz as 1/2 and Doucet and Urban in the slot. Lance could be a 5th or we could go out and pick up another WR.

And a big BUMP to LeSean McCoy.

When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome again.
-Barney Stinson

by Red Reign on Feb 6, 2009 3:47 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

The way it looks right now, the Cardinals will probably draft McCoy.

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Feb 6, 2009 3:54 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

And I couldn't be happier about it

When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome again.
-Barney Stinson

by Red Reign on Feb 6, 2009 4:23 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Please send him to MN

Boldin is a Stud! I know Fitz had an AMAZING playoff run and a great season. But Boldin had a great season too. It looks like the ARZ and Boldin relationship is over and I would love to see Boldin in purple. Granted I know it is unlikely to happen….but a fan can hope right…

Best.T-Shirts.Ever at: http://www.LockItUpTees.com

by Dustin B on Feb 6, 2009 7:02 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Let me guess..

We get a 1st and 3rd round draft pick? Woo Hoo…it’s not that appealing IMO. I’d rather keep Q and make opposing defenses struggle against us.

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Feb 7, 2009 5:06 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Welcome to the flip side of winning.

You only have to dance faster.

by Benthere on Feb 6, 2009 10:45 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Boldin felt this way before the season so...

Either way, it was going to happen.

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Feb 7, 2009 5:04 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking beyond Boldin

on that post. You guys already have been raided of your OC and now your DC has been given his walking papers. Not that there isn’t a certain amount of reloading going on every off-season but it seems to amplify the more successful you get.

by Benthere on Feb 7, 2009 5:41 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

It's only different because when you're losing it's expected to happen, while winning you hope it doesn't happen

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Feb 8, 2009 9:55 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

True

But I think we all knew Clancy’s days were numbered. Haley not so much, but he actually interviewed with the Dolphins last off season so we had to know it was coming.

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Feb 9, 2009 6:25 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Boldin

To say the least it is very disappointing for Boldin to do what he is doing. Maybe is acting out to see what others think he is worth and he can put that to the Cardinals to show what kind of money he should make. But I do believe it is Drew Rosenhaus trynig to get the most out of it. I don’t think it would hurt to trade Boldin for draft picks and/or a traded player. The time may be now to break him off while he comes off the high of the Super Bowl. His stock may fold in the next year or two if he can’t play or perform. I can’t see much good having him disgruntled another year just because he is locked into a contract and they don’t have to budge on it. If they keep him and give him more money then he better stay healthy all season. Otherwise what is the extra pay good for on keeping him in Arizona. With the draft and having many WR options Boldin could might just not be aound next year.

by kj197728 on Feb 13, 2009 10:09 PM MST reply actions 0 recs