Anquan Boldin used to be my favorite athlete in Phoenix.
And believe me, the past tense reference is completely intentional.
The Cardinals receiver is pulling a Barkley. Or a Manny. He’s trying to make things so uncomfortable for his team that they have no choice but to deal him. Charles Barkley did it with the Suns many years ago. Manny Ramirez did it just a few weeks ago with the Red Sox. Now, Boldin.
The latest comes from an nfl.com report in which Boldin claims to have no relationship with his coach Ken Whisenhunt, then blasts Whisenhunt for getting involved in Boldin’s negotiations with the club saying “lines were crossed.”
How ‘bout this one? “I can be productive on the field but that’s as far as it goes. I will try to detach myself from the organization as much as possible. As long as I’m here, I can’t see myself as a happy member of this organization at all, not with this situation being what it is. I don’t see it being rectified, either. The relationship with me and the organization is done.”
The Arizona Republic is reporting that Boldin could even walk out of camp.
Now let’s get a couple of things straight.
First, NFL teams don’t need two elite wide receivers to win and certainly can’t afford to pay two elite wide receivers when there are so many needs to fill. I have been saying this for months. When Larry Fitzgerald got his big contract, the Cardinals erred by not recognizing this and trading Boldin immediately. If the Cards weren’t going to pay Boldin, dollar for dollar what they paid Fitzgerald, then they should’ve moved him when they had the chance. Their mistake was not having a plan in place to deal with Boldin once they paid Fitzgerald. They waffled, sat on their hands, and look at the mess that’s left.
Second, if Coach Whisenhunt got involved in the conversations that too was a mistake. But I imagine he was just trying to keep one of his most valuable commodities in a Cards uniform. Hard to blame him there.
And third, if indeed the Cards made promises and failed to live up to them, shame on them. You can’t overlook that fact.
All of which pales in comparison to Boldin. At what point did the gutsy leader turn into Terrell Owens? Was it when he hired Drew Rosenhaus? Calling out your coach? Drawing a line in the locker room and forcing people to choose sides? Putting the team in a position where they almost have to trade you but can’t because you’ve just gashed your own trade value?
But Boldin clearly misread the market. The same-old-Cardinals crowd hasn’t come to his defense. People are rightfully calling him out for greediness. Fans are barking at him because he has a contract…..three years left on a contract. People are siding with the Cardinals. How often does that happen?
So - as I have done since Fitzgerald got his contract - I encourage the Cardinals to part with Boldin. Back then it was because he was a luxury they couldn’t afford. Now he’s a headache, a migraine that could destroy their season.
I just wish I could have my favorite player back.
Comments? Email me!
You could not be more right. I believe Boldin has gone from being a much beloved figure in this city to an individual that no one can stand. I think that he cut off his nose to spite his face. He’s being an ass and now that will follow him wherever he goes.
See ya later Anquan. I have a picture of you in my kids’ nursery along with Mia Hamm, Tillman, Warner and other role model athletes. Your pic is coming down because you are not a role model. You are just another spoiled athlete. Get off our team.
Poor Boldin… As a season ticket holder I feel I can say that Boldin needs to be traded. I know all that does is give him what he wants, but who needs him. I can understand tollerating a loud unhappy player like Chad johnson, or TO, but Boldin is an UNPROVEN wideout, who was only good because we saw what we wanted to see. The cards will be a better team without him and any team who gets will suffer. Let him go cry in Houston, or Miami. BYE BYE BOLDIN!!!
Get rid of this joke.
Anquan,
I thought you had class. But you are another spoiled athlete.
THE WORLD DOES NOT REVOLVE AROUND YOU!
YOU SIGNED the contract. Stick to your honor.
Show what you can do. And someone will show you the money.
Or follow your agent.
There is different between symion Rice and Pat Tillman.
He called Tillman “Rambo wanne be” Afterer his death…
Rice made lots of money and no one cares about him.
Tillman lost his life for his country and he will be remembered as a hero.
I don’t say you join the arm forces. But live with integrity and honesty.
BE A MAN!
Anquan being Anquan. Ship him out.
I totally agree w/ Dave Burns……Boldin should have sucked it up and been a man about the whole situtation and played this year (fulfilling his contract obligation) and then Renegotiated for the new contract next year and he would’ve gotten it and much more. Drew Rosen”hassle” is a bad man and has caused many a good football player to be hated, cause of greed.
Mostly a spot on commentary. However, somehow Drew Rosenhaus is not coming under near enough fire. This is not Anquan, this is the puppet master hiding behind the curtain.
You hit the nail on the head…..Anquan USED to be my favorite player on the Cardinals, heck I even have his jersey and wear it to games. This is going too far, especially from a receiver that was injured for a good part of last year and wasn’t even near as effective as he has been in the past.
I remember watching the first regular season game he played in a Cardinals uniform against the Lions when he busted onto the NFL seen….now I just hope he busts out of here and his career goes nowhere because he and his agent felt he should become a primadonna. Well last year he didn’t have the numbers to back it up so good riddance!