Truth & Rumors > NFL

Boldin & Cardinals can mend fences

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The happy relationship between the Cardinals and receiver Anquan Boldin appears headed for a nasty split, but let's pause for a moment before we all sadly resign ourselves to that outcome and mutter our thanks that at least no children are involved. There are ways to mend this marriage, as long as both sides are reasonable and will settle for less in negotiations than annihilation of the other party. The Cardinals have most of the leverage in this situation, because Boldin has three years left on a contract extension he signed only three years ago. The team could bring the hammer down in negotiations, reminding Boldin that it tore up his rookie deal after only two seasons because it recognized he was underpaid. That deal paid Boldin $10 million in signing and option bonuses, in addition to salaries, and it was negotiated by Drew Rosenhaus, who still is Boldin's agent. Boldin's performance and escalating salaries in the NFL have combined to make that contract outdated. The dynamic of the situation shifted drastically in the spring, when Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald signed a four-year, $40 million deal. The Cardinals seem to recognize that Boldin is underpaid. They have made him a couple of offers since December, yet neither is believed to be close to what Fitzgerald is making. With Boldin under contract for three more years, the team isn't under any deadline to lock him up for even longer.

Arizona Republic

Anquan Boldin, Stephen Dunn/Getty Images Anquan Boldin, Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
July 28, 2008  07:40 AM ET

Sweet. Boldin is going to look excellent in Eagles Green

July 28, 2008  07:42 AM ET

Way to read between the lines, 700 Level.

July 28, 2008  08:10 AM ET

Any player should work to get out of Arizona--ownership is not serious about football, maybe more interested in finding expensive dates on the internet! Wanted to be the first to post hotlovin dot com here ore whatever it is......

July 28, 2008  08:57 AM ET

Boldin needs to pipe down and just play

July 28, 2008  08:59 AM ET

Boldin,

Come to Dallas, we want you, the Cardinals could care less.

July 28, 2008  09:52 AM ET

Rosenhaus is a drama queen.

July 28, 2008  09:54 AM ET

He is under contract through 2010, then they can tag him. And they will. He is not going anywhere until 2012. If then. It just not his style to "Shockey" his way out of town..

July 28, 2008  10:04 AM ET

not sure how the tag will work beyond 2010. have to assume once the collective bargaining agreement ends, so do tags.

July 28, 2008  11:00 AM ET

Rosenhaus is such an idiot sometimes. Bolden should have played through his rookie contract and then he could have signed for BIG money with anyone, depending if he would have ben restricted or not. Nevertheless, Bolden is going to cry because of Fitzy's new $40M deal. Well, Fitzy is better than you Bolden and if you and your greedy agent would have waited, you would have gotten closer to that number, if not more.

~Dr. D

July 28, 2008  11:21 AM ET

You guys have no clue, who say ownership does not care, this organization had changed so much, so please if you do not know the logistics, do blanket statement ownership, when you do not even know, the changes they have made in every aspect of this organization, and also as great as Anquan is it would be better served for us to trade him, we have a great reciever and we need to sign Adrian Wilson, and Karlos Dansnby so much more important than Boldin, so as far as I am concerned if they went and tore up his contract for the 2nd time in 3years they are hurting their chances of improving, they also have other key defensive players due next year, and another thing about Anquan he plays so darn hard he punishes opponents but also tends to miss 3-5 games a year because he only knows 1 speed he is an animal, every year by weeks 13-16 Anquan is so banged up he is a shell of himself, and what good is that

July 28, 2008  12:17 PM ET

pw..I thought about that. I just cannot see where the owners are going to give that tag up. It would take a lot in return.

July 28, 2008  12:36 PM ET

Boldin has clearly outplayed his contract. The Cardinals should take care of him. Do they not see that other people in the organization see this? Boldin is one of their team leaders. It makes good business sense to give him a better deal.

July 28, 2008  01:02 PM ET

50 you always seem to have a very clear grasp of contract obligations, Cap Space, and many other financial aspects for these teams and players... what is your line of work and/or do you go to a specifc site to get this data?

July 28, 2008  01:16 PM ET

+40yrCowboyFan ... I know a guy that knows a guy and he said...Just kidding.
I read too much..Civil War stuff right now...again... Information is all out there, just got to know where to look, and then check to see if the source is reliable..Learn a lot that way...Got to have ammunition if you are going to get in to it, you know that...And I hate to show up at a gun fight with a knife...

July 28, 2008  01:18 PM ET

not sure how the tag will work beyond 2010. have to assume once the collective bargaining agreement ends, so do tags.

pw | 07/28/08, 10:04 AM

Actually, teams would get to use TWO tags if the CBA ends.

July 28, 2008  01:31 PM ET

This is a tough one...Boldin has proven himself a worthy WR, but he does always seem to hurt himself at some point in the season...I think this is Rosenhaus trying to weasel more money out of teams for himself...he does not care about the players, just himself

July 28, 2008  01:48 PM ET

The guy has a C for Captain on his jersey. The Cardinals are not going to let a classy and talented player like Boldin go. Three years to make a decision on a great player, EASY.

July 28, 2008  02:46 PM ET

Bryan81 ..You are correct. And there is something about players signed from 2004 and after ( I think that is the year) cannot move around. It will be the older players that will have some freedom. Will be very interesting. I do not think the owners will be in a rush to settle.

July 28, 2008  05:36 PM ET

no there won't be 2 tags if the cba ends. there will be 0 tags.

 
July 28, 2008  07:09 PM ET

Come on over to the Cowboys for a Super Bowl! I'd give the Cardinals next years number 1.

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