Mort: Pats wanted Boldin, but only on 1-year deal like Moss

[pats1]

Chris Mortensen (mortreport) on Twitter

Interesting sidebar on Anquan Boldin - the Patriots wanted him, but on a one-year deal, a la Randy Moss when he was acquired from Raiders. 5 minutes ago via web

 

[Kontradiction]

So basically, he would have had to play out his current contract here before we considered signing him to a longer term deal with the Pats in the 2011 offseason?

 

[pats1]

So basically, he would have had to play out his current contract here before we considered signing him to a longer term deal with the Pats in the 2011 offseason?

That would seem to be what he is saying. In other words, Pats did not want to make the financial commitment at this time.

 

[Jangles]

Stupid

They should have sacked up and made it happen

 

[Kontradiction]

That would seem to be what he is saying. In other words, Pats did not want to make the financial commitment at this time.

What would have happened in that case...

1. Boldin brought in.
2. Boldin plays and has a higher production here than in Arizona.
3. Pats offer him a contract indicative of a #2 receiver in 2011.
4. Boldin leaves as a free agent.

You can throw in "Moss scoffs at Patriots 2011 contract offer" between 3 and 4 if you want.

 

[DaBruinz]

Pats1 - Having followed Boldin, he's spent more time fighting injuries than any other receiver that hasn't gone on the IR.

Yes, he's played through 90% of them which is great. However, missing 25% of the games a year hurts a team. And I can guarantee that people would be whining about it. And it would be the same ones who whined about not getting him.

Boldin's been whining for 2 years about getting out of Arizona because his ego wanted him to be the #1. The problem is that he wasn't ever better than Fitzgerald.

Now, Boldin is 30 and on his way to a run 1st team in the Ravens. His being their will surely help them get more balance. And the Ravens will definitely be a team to beat.

But, considering Boldin's track record, one has to wonder if the 4 games he misses will be important ones.. Like they were for Arizona this past year.

 

[DaBruinz]

Stupid

They should have sacked up and made it happen

Yes, because everyone knows that Mort and BB are such TIGHT friends and that Mort always gets good information on the Patriots dealings with a player..

 

[pats1]

Pats1 - Having followed Boldin, he's spent more time fighting injuries than any other receiver that hasn't gone on the IR.

Yes, he's played through 90% of them which is great. However, missing 25% of the games a year hurts a team. And I can guarantee that people would be whining about it. And it would be the same ones who whined about not getting him.

Boldin's been whining for 2 years about getting out of Arizona because his ego wanted him to be the #1. The problem is that he wasn't ever better than Fitzgerald.

Now, Boldin is 30 and on his way to a run 1st team in the Ravens. His being their will surely help them get more balance. And the Ravens will definitely be a team to beat.

But, considering Boldin's track record, one has to wonder if the 4 games he misses will be important ones.. Like they were for Arizona this past year.

But what you're telling me is that Boldin has been "constantly" injured and yet has still been able to put up 80 or 90 catch seasons. So in other words, you either get an injury-riddled 75-catch season or a healthy 100-catch season. I'd take either.

 

[DocE]

Interesting, Boldin would have been a great addition. I can understand that the Patriots would be gun shy about an extension considering Boldin's injury history. That said, he didn't get an enormous contract from Baltimore (3 years 25 million extension, so Baltimore has him for 4 years 28 million). When Nate Burleson gets 5 million a year and Kevin Walter gets close to that, paying 7 million a year for Boldin seems reasonable.

 

[DaBruinz]

But what you're telling me is that Boldin has been "constantly" injured and yet has still been able to put up 80 or 90 catch seasons. So in other words, you either get an injury-riddled 75-catch season or a healthy 100-catch season. I'd take either.

Funny how you miss the part where Boldin has been whining for 2 years and that he's missed some important games..

 

[Kontradiction]

But what you're telling me is that Boldin has been "constantly" injured and yet has still been able to put up 80 or 90 catch seasons. So in other words, you either get an injury-riddled 75-catch season or a healthy 100-catch season. I'd take either.

As would I. Especially with him playing on the other side of Randy Moss, if only for one year.

 

[pats1]

Funny how you miss the part where Boldin has been whining for 2 years and that he's missed some important games..

Would that carry over to a new team and a new locker room? Probably not.

 

[DaBruinz]

Would that carry over to a new team and a new locker room? Probably not.

Why not? He was complaining about not being the #1 and not being paid as a #1 in Arizona. He'd be behind Moss and Welker (when he returns) here. You think that would make him happy? I don't.

After Baker and Thomas, you don't think Bill might be wary of bringing in another guy who could be bad in the lockerroom?

 

[DocE]

Pats1 - Having followed Boldin, he's spent more time fighting injuries than any other receiver that hasn't gone on the IR.

Yes, he's played through 90% of them which is great. However, missing 25% of the games a year hurts a team. And I can guarantee that people would be whining about it. And it would be the same ones who whined about not getting him.

Boldin's been whining for 2 years about getting out of Arizona because his ego wanted him to be the #1. The problem is that he wasn't ever better than Fitzgerald.

Now, Boldin is 30 and on his way to a run 1st team in the Ravens. His being their will surely help them get more balance. And the Ravens will definitely be a team to beat.

But, considering Boldin's track record, one has to wonder if the 4 games he misses will be important ones.. Like they were for Arizona this past year.

I don't think Boldin's been whining about being a no.1 receiver, but I am aware that he's wanted to re-do his contract for quite a while. I think Boldin would do much better in New England as a 2nd option than he will do as the no.1 guy in Baltimore with Flacco at QB. Boldin's a good player, but he won't help Baltimore stretch defenses (but will certainly help the team). I think the injury history is the big red flag as you detailed.

 

[Big Bucks]

Unless you got to see the injury report sent out to the whole league on Boldin I'd hazard a guess that there are more to this than has been reported. Id bet he has a concussion problem (considering recent press I can see why), and reports probably show he is a broken man.

A fact that people are missing, there are 30 other teams thats could have signed him at this so called 'cheap price', yet very few tickled the bollocks of Boldin's agent.

Ask yourselves why?

 

[Rob0729]

That would seem to be what he is saying. In other words, Pats did not want to make the financial commitment at this time.

I don't think it is a money issue. I think it is a durability issue. Boldin is a tough SOB, but he is a constantly injured tough SOB. He has had hamstring issues the last two years and no matter how tough he is, chronic hamstring injuries can ruin a WR's career. I don't think the Pats wanted to make a long term commitment to a guy who could have his career over in a couple year or at least have his abilities greatly diminished by then.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

the problem is that boldin did not want to go looking for a new team in what might be a lockout year

 

[Rob0729]

I personally believe if the Ravens did not offer an extension to Boldin, he would be a Patriot right now. Boldin would be in a contract year and having Brady throwing to him would definitely hve made him have a better chance to cash in next offseason. Even playing second fiddle to Moss would still allow Boldin to have elite WR numbers like Welker did.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

That would seem to be what he is saying. In other words, Pats did not want to make the financial commitment at this time.

So basically BB was interested in 1 $3M season for a 30 year old WR probably for a 4th which given the prospects of a lockout in 2011 makes sense. The Ravens were willing to trade and pay more for 4 years even in the event a lockout pushes 3 of those to 2012-2014 when he will be 32-34. Which really means they are willing to pay $10M for 1 year (2010) with the option to pay $18M for 3 more...or not.

I like that. It means Bill hasn't lost his marbles. Boldin is physically tough, though injury prone. Not sure he's mentally tough since the whole Fitzgerald existence and emergence seemed to flumox him to the point he marginalized himself in AZ even as they finally started winning...

 

[Aßßynormal]

We would give up a draft choice (high 3rd - requiring a second trade) for a one year player? OKay, if I risk an injury player ........ I'd go with Branch for considerably less in pay and the draft choice. Maybe just pick up Coles ........

If we were to risk losing Boldin/Moss in 2011 it must mean we are drafting at WR at least once and high. I wouldn't be surprised if we traded up for Dez Bryant. Otherwise, we'd be screwed in 2011 ........... not our style.