Boldin: Best Acquisition of the Off Season in NFL

by Bruce Raffel on Mar 17, 2010 3:00 PM EDT Comment 29 comments

Or at least that's what the guys over at the NFL Network are saying. According to NFL Total Access, they voted on the best off season acquisition throughout the entire league and it came down to two former Arizona Cardinals, Anquan Boldin and Antrel Rolle. While the Ravens traded for Boldin, the New York Giants signed Rolle, a safety that the Cardinals had cut due to contract reasons, but had hoped to re-sign. Combined with the loss of linebacker Karlos Dansby, who signed with the Miami Dolphins and the retirement of QB Kurt Warner, the Cards are looking like a mere shadow of the team that went deep into the playoffs the past couple of years and seemed to have a lock on the NFC West division title.

Not anymore, as the Cardinals loss was the Ravens gain. Hearing Rod Woodson and friends rate the Ravens trade for Boldin at the top of the off season list is an honor from the greatest sports network on television! See the link to the story that was recently aired here.

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Yeah boy

Ozzie knows what he is doing. Boldin to Baltimore = improvement is an instant. And to think some media types like Peter King thought it was a bad idea to sign Boldin. One step closer baby!!!

by Ravens One on Mar 17, 2010 3:32 PM EDT reply actions

Last step is adding some depth in Free Agency at D-Line and CB and finding a starter or two in the draft. Lombardi is ours.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 17, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

2010 is the Year of the Raven

"I kill myself in small amounts"

by StuckInUtah on Mar 17, 2010 3:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I agree that this was the best move any team has made this year...

But I wouldn’t get too carried away with this (yet). Don’t get me wrong, it is a great move that has certainly made you better, but WR/ QB relationships normally take a little time. Flacco is still a young QB, a darn good young QB, but a young one none the less. This is the most drastic change he’s seen in personell in his career to this point. If he and Anquan are on the same page, then no doubt you’ll be contending in the playoffs, but there is also a chance that the connection takes a little time to develop. We’ll see. Honestly, I see you guys putting it all together in 2011. This season, 2010, will be the year of Ray Rice, in my opinion (we’re talking LT numbers from back in the day, dare I say Marshall Faulk-esque potential).

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preperation."
-Arthur Ashe

by NYSteelersFan4 on Mar 17, 2010 4:02 PM EDT reply actions

If Bennigans can win one at such a young age, Flacco can to.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 17, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed, no knock on Flacco...

At least none intended.

But, in Ben’s case, with the exception of Plaxico Burress, we kept our personell fairly consistent around him, and you’re making some more noticable changes. That and the fact we won that Superbowl essentially nursing Ben along (not many Steelers fans willing to admit that I bet) with the running game. I think at times you strayed away from the same level of committment to the run you had in Joe’s rookie year (Flacco completed more passes in his second year then Ben attempted in his second season [Feel free to thank me for that little info gem anytime you want, just don’t use it against me.]) and Harbough put the game in Joe’s hands more. If your coaches think they can throw it as much as last year with a new group of wideouts around Joe, I think you could hit some growing (or in this case throwing) pains. If I were coaching your team, I would get back to runing the ball with Ray and Willis, take some of the pressure off of Joe and his new group of pass catchers, and give them more time to gel. Of course, I’d say the same thing about us as well, but that’s a topic for another day.

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preperation."
-Arthur Ashe

by NYSteelersFan4 on Mar 17, 2010 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Of course...

If Flacco and Boldin are on the same page early on, my whole point is moot.

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preperation."
-Arthur Ashe

by NYSteelersFan4 on Mar 17, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Well said sir. Fair and justified.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 17, 2010 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Flacco and Boldin

NYSteelerFan4, your argument does not hold water in my estimation and here’s why. Jeff Blake, Josh McCown and Matt Leinart. Those are the QB’s that Boldin had throwing to him as a rookie and before Warner. Look at Boldin’s numbers and they will tell you the chemistry will be there. The OTA’s and training camp assures the combination clicks.

Last thing, Boldin is all about football, is motivated, wants to win and kick the Pittsburgh Steelers ass. I would know because I have seen a few Cardinlas games over the years. Next question?

by Ravens One on Mar 17, 2010 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Goo dpoint

Q was catching passes from guys not named Warner and without Fitz on the other side and STILL putting up great numbers. If he could do that as a youngster, then what can he do with what is really a veteran team and a QB that has already played two full seasons as a starter?

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Mar 17, 2010 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, I agree, in fact I said that...

Of course… If Flacco and Boldin are on the same page early on, my whole point is moot.

I just didn’t ellaborate on it enough.

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preperation."
-Arthur Ashe

by NYSteelersFan4 on Mar 19, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

How can they get worse?

The passing offense was pretty awful the 2nd half of the season. How can Boldin be worse than Mark Clayton? Add Stallworth and it’s a top 10 unit this season.

by Mr. E on Mar 18, 2010 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

It makes you wonder whether people are thinking before they start hitting the key board.

by Ravens One on Mar 18, 2010 7:26 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought my point was well thought out...

And I also think my point is as likely as yours is. Neither of us know yet. I could easily be wrong, but so could you.

Also, in Stallworth’s case, he hasn’t played in over a year. And honestly, aside from one good year in Philly which parlayed two nice contracts with New Engalnd and Cleveland, he hasn’t been great anywhere.

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preperation."
-Arthur Ashe

by NYSteelersFan4 on Mar 19, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

You have a point about Stallworth (historically)

My point is guy’s that are hungry and motivated, have a chip on their shoulder and in the case of Stallworth knows this is his last shot will have laser-like focus. I expect a high degree of consistent effort from these players. You can take that to the bank.

by Ravens One on Mar 19, 2010 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree with that too Ravens One...

Again, we’ll see. Him as a third option/ maybe fourth, it’s hard to argue with any production out of those guys. Kudos to your organization for signing him though. He made a horrible, horrible mistake, but at every oppurtunity has tried to do the most he can to make up for his actions. He’ll never be able to take them back, but he’s been a man about it. Credit goes to your front office for their willingness to give the guy a second chance.

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preperation."
-Arthur Ashe

by NYSteelersFan4 on Mar 19, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I love Ozzie Newsome

He gets it and even when he makes a mistake he recovers. Speaking of past transgressions what’s your position on the Big Ben shenanigans? Fed up yet?

by Ravens One on Mar 19, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Ben is going to start inviting little boys to ride motorcycles with him at Neverland Ranch.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 19, 2010 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Cut it out MaLor

You’re friking crack me up.

by Ravens One on Mar 19, 2010 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions

MaLoR, that's just wrong man...

Sexual assault is one thing, pedophelia is another all together. Neither is good by any means, but one gets you killed in prison. When even criminals think what you did is f-ed up, you have problems. Touching children, much like sexual assault, is no laughing matter. You know my stance on things like this by now.

Firt off, as things are now, I’m for a four game suspension (personally I think the Rooney’s will step in prior to when the league would, if this were to happen). Conduct detrimental to the League, or something like that, being the reason. It’s important to remember that no charges are even filed in Georgia, and that the Colorado case is a civil suit, not a criminal case. That being said, if he is found guilty of the suit in Colorado, or if he is indicted on charges in Georgia, suspend him eight games to a full season (they’ll most likely refer to it as an indefinite suspension). Mike Vick was given a similar suspension upon his indictment. As it looks now the Colorado case is no where near an end, as civil cases always seem to take longer and they’re having trouble selceting a location for trial.

Short and sweet version, Ben should be punished somehow, but until the facts all come in, it’s hard to say how. But, that being said, after his punishment, I would take him back. Everyone screws up, some worse than others, but, if that person does what they can to make things as right as possible, they deserve forgiveness. No one is perfect.

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preperation."
-Arthur Ashe

by NYSteelersFan4 on Mar 19, 2010 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I know your stance, but this is the Ravens blog. So the dirty aspects of my opinion on Ben come out here. I try not to share them at BTSC because you asked, but this my turf.

Just giving you hard time, making up for the 10 years of Murdering Ray Lewis that I put up with. Have to get some fun out of this situation. The guy was on South Park!

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 19, 2010 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I hear you...

I should have looked around. I got a little discombobulated and forgot where I was. Have your fun, however tasteless it may be in my opinion, it’s your house and I’m the guest. Just remember… When they call Ray a murderer on BTSC, who besides you is there to state the facts? Hmmm…. Who I ask?

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preperation."
-Arthur Ashe

by NYSteelersFan4 on Mar 19, 2010 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I got his back (from here on out)

That was a shot across the bow NYSteelerFan4. I don’t talk a lot of smack but can do it with the best of them.

I just joined BTSC a few days ago and I pay really good attention. The fact that you’d take Ben been back says a lot.

by Ravens One on Mar 19, 2010 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Of course they will take Ben back

Do they really want Dennis Dixon starting for them? Even though much of Pittsburgh thinks he could lead them to a 14-2 record.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 19, 2010 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh really?...

Do you actually want to see Dixon get a chance to get better in this league? He almost beat you guys without playing a down of real NFL football before that night. If it wasn’t for a Mr. Kruger, who knows my man, who knows?

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preperation."
-Arthur Ashe

by NYSteelersFan4 on Mar 19, 2010 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions

How come steeler fans always say he almost beat us when it was really that HE lost it for you. Wow, he completed about 3 good passes that whole game and got a TD off of a defensive brain fart where our secondary slipped left an he ran right.

Yes he was the QB when you guys kept it close. But this league defines the word “almost.” He might have won the game who knows, but guess what he was a loser and is 0-1 in his career. I guarentee you guys would at best go 9-7 with dixon as your QB. Most likely 7-9 or 6-10.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 20, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I've taken similar stances...

On Mike Vick and Donte Stallworth. The bottom line is, from the time these guys were 12, 13, 14, whatever, football has probably been their life. When a person makes a mistake that costs them as dearly as these guys have, are punished rightly, and try and make right, you cannot then strip a man of his life to boot. No exageration, these people, for the most part, live this game. They get handsomely reimbursed for their “troubles” but they still sacrifice a lot. To kick a man while he’s down is wrong, always will be to me.

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preperation."
-Arthur Ashe

by NYSteelersFan4 on Mar 19, 2010 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I believe they will be very productive together. Q looks real excited to be here and i’m sure he will do whatever it takes to build that chemistry with Flacco. This chemistry does take time, but i’m sure both will put in the work to make it happen. Even if it doesn’t happen til mid-season we are still a playoff team without him and just need things to start going in the right direction before playoffs. Once they get things going we will be a scary team no one will want to face.

by AV23 on Mar 17, 2010 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

This will be amazing.

I can’t wait to see the confused defenses with our new setup. As long as Flacco stays confident I don’t see any negatives in having a solid receiver like Boldin out there.

by MauiPimpin on Mar 17, 2010 9:28 PM EDT reply actions