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.