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Diner Morning News: Boldin On The Move?

Michael Lombardi

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FROM MICHAEL LOMBARDI:

16 April 2009

QUOTE:  “We secure our friends not by accepting favors but by doing them.”  ~ Thucydides (471 B.C. - 400 B.C.), Peloponnesian War

FROM KENT SOMMERS OF THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC... “I think it would be foolish from our standpoint not to listen to those opportunities and see what actually exists,” Whisenhunt said. “Our position on Anquan (Boldin) has been consistent and our goal hasn’t changed. Reaching an agreement on a new contract has been, and continues to be, the preferred result. There are other options. Those do include fielding offers about trade.”  Cardinals General Manager Rod Graves declined to say how many teams have called, what they’ve offered or what the Cardinals would want in return for Boldin. “I think the fact that we’re coming out and acknowledging we’re willing to listen does not mean we haven’t listened in the past,” Graves said. “In my opinion, it’s not a change in position, just the fact that we’re acknowledging publicly that we are evaluating those interests.”

Another day, another Pro Bowl receiver for sale before the draft.  There were 14 trades last year in the NFL before the draft, and most of them were contract related.  Boldin is a very talented player who, when he has the ball in his hands, is one of the most difficult wide receivers to tackle.  His hands are sensational and he can escape from press coverage with power and explosion -- which is one of many problems that some of the bigger wideouts in this year’s draft face.  Hakeem Nicks, Kenny Britt and Brian Robiske all have the size that makes them attractive, but there are major concerns about their quickness and ability to separate from tight man coverage. That’s why you’re seeing teams want to make moves for veteran receivers who can make plays on third down. 

For me as an evaluator, Boldin is the cream of the crop of available receivers. I have come to a place in my mind with Braylon Edwards that he’s like Plaxico Burress in a sense: He will make a big play but will drop his share of balls. The year the Giants won the Super Bowl, they were in the bottom third of the NFL in dropped passes, led by Burress. Edwards has inconsistent hands, but he does have big-play ability. To score in the NFL, you have to make big plays in the passing game. Boldin gives an offense big plays, and he can make all the tough inside catches on critical third downs. In addition, he gains significant yards after the catch and creates match-up problems for a defense, which has to make sure it has the right corner on him -- to cover, but more importantly to tackle him in a one-on-one situation. Boldin will destroy small, light corners in any one-on-one situation. 

Teams like the Eagles need to make a move and be aggressive going for Boldin. Our Matt Bowen is going to talk more about this today in his post, but the offense the Eagles run is the right fit for Boldin’s talents. When the talents of the player and the team’s scheme are in alignment, there’s no telling how effective the offense can become. 

Tomorrow is my mock draft day so I want to make a few observations about what I’ll be doing.  First, as I did with the last one, I’ll be giving this great thought and attention. Some of my picks will be based on what I’m hearing around the NFL and some will be based on my knowledge of how teams think and draft. The top 10 in the draft, from what I’m hearing, will be left tackles and quarterbacks, so my draft will reflect this. I keep hearing from teams that Andre Smith is not as bad as he’s been portrayed in terms of intelligence and work habits and is making a surge that might put him in the top 10. 

HOT PROSPECTS RIGHT NOW

1.    Mark Sanchez, QB, USC: Everyone is raving about his mind, his arm, and his unlimited potential. 

2.    Josh Freeman, QB, K-State: He’s the last of the quarterbacks, and teams know if they’re picking late they have to move to get in position to draft him. His arm and potential have teams excited. 

3.    Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi: I’ve talked to three teams in the top 10 and they feel his bottom will be at No. 10 with the 49ers, who love him. He also might go as high as No. 7 with Oakland. 

4.    Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland: Speed kills, and he’s the talk of the league.         

5.    Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU: Can play the run and rush. That combination is highly sought after. 

6.    Evander “Ziggy” Hood, DT, Missouri: His ability to rush, plus the fact the tackle market is very soft, makes him an attractive player.

Comments

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Yeah
Apr 16, 2009
10:00 AM

The Titans need Boldin.

Boldin, Washington, Gage. Not a bad receiving corps AT ALL.

Umberto
Apr 16, 2009
10:20 AM

Michael, which is Boldin value in a terms of draft pick, since Edwards has been evaluated a 2nd and 5th pick plus a good prospect like Smith (a former 2nd rounder) and Boldin is a much much better player?

kjf
Apr 16, 2009
10:20 AM

Edwards is the right fit for the Giants and Boldin is the right fit for the Eagles.

Because the Giants are a run first team, when they do pass they need to get chunks of yards;big plays. Thats Edwards. He's a 5 catch for 110 yards type. He's not a chain mover he's a homerun hitter.

Boldin on the other hand only has value if you are a team that uses the pass as ball control. Boldin is a WR that keeps you're offense on schedule. He chips away and converts the big 3rd downs. He's a 10 catch for 125 guy.

KD
Apr 16, 2009
10:26 AM

As a Cardinal fan, I have no trouble with trading Boldin. However, isn't it completely unrealistic to expect the Cards to "weaken" themselves by trading Boldin inside the NFC? I don't give the front office of the Cardinals much credit, but even they can't be so dumb as to trade him to an NFC team.

Cheesehead TV
Apr 16, 2009
11:03 AM

"I’ve talked to three teams in the top 10 and they feel his bottom will be at No. 10 with the 49ers, who love him. He also might go as high as No. 7 with Oakland." - I've got to think the Packers take him if Raji is off the board, perhaps even if he isn't.

Jon
Apr 16, 2009
11:06 AM

I sure hope that the Bills can sign Peters and trade down in this draft... sounds like some people will be wanting to up around pick #11

Drew from Virginia
Apr 16, 2009
11:10 AM

You mentioned Hakeem Nicks, Kenny Britt and Brian Robiske as wide-outs in the upcoming draft. You neglected to mention the name of Jeremy Macklin of Missouri. Get on YouTube, Mike. Get some tapes. Do some research. Macklin the cream of the crop.

Bill Parcells is my uncle
Apr 16, 2009
11:12 AM

Great read, Mike -

Funny how it takes virtually the entire draft process for some people to finally come around on Mark Sanchez -

Looking forward to reading your mock draft tomorrow - Hoping to put the finishing touches on my final mock draft over this weekend -

On Boldin - I have to wonder how his injury history may factor with respects to his dividend returns via trade in comparison to Braylon Edwards - Also the age difference in Boldin at 29 this year to Edwards being just 26 years old -

In 6 NFL seasons Boldin has played the full 16 games just twice - Much of this is obviously do to his style of play - But teams must take notice of his lower extremity injuries since Florida State in having an acl tear, torn meniscus and fractured hip - Especially considering he is pushing 30 -

I think Quan would be a pretty good fit in Miami - In that he is able to run the underneath routes that coincide with Pennington's strengths - Has the big body and all the traits to go with his size (he plays big, blocks etc) that those guys down there look for - Would also be a nice veteran receiver to have when Henne's time finally comes - It is also home for him -

And they can get all the information they need from former protege Todd Haley of Kansas City -

Firesalt
Apr 16, 2009
11:26 AM

Why on earth wouldn't the Dolphins talk to the Cards anout Boldin. They are desperate for a WR, and Boldin publicly said he would love to play in Miami. The Phins can offer a #1 plus Ted Ginn, who was a top 10 pick 2 years ago and can return kicks. With Boldin the Phins are a legit contender.

Firesalt
Apr 16, 2009
11:31 AM

Chill, Drew. Mike was not listing all the best WRs, but the tall, big ones who are similar to Boldin's skill set, but lack the ability to do some of the things Boldin excels at. Macklin is more like Fitzgerald than Boldin.

Dan
Apr 16, 2009
11:51 AM

Why would the defending NFC Champions trade a player of that skill level to a contending playoff team in their own conference, let alone the team they beat to reach the Super Bowl?? They would be crazy to move Boldin to the NFC East.

That said, a team in the AFC like Jacksonville, Miami, or Tennessee could make some sense.

Y-Option
Apr 16, 2009
12:12 PM

Drew from Virginia, maybe you should be the one to do the research. Mr. Lombardi was referring to big receivers in terms of physical size in the draft saying that the receivers who are available in that category do not have the explosiveness and separation skills of a player like Boldin. Maclin (check your spelling, by the way) is more a small, quick receiver (6'1'', 200 lbs.) and does not play into this discussion. To insinuate that Michael does not watch film or study (youtube to scout players?) only proves you have no idea what you are talking about.

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