Former Arizona Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin needs a job
By Jim Koch
Despite being deep at the wide receiver position could the Arizona Cardinals still give one of their all-time greats a call?
He never fit the profile of a wide receiver. Not overly fast or quick. Always looking to dish out as much punishment as he received.
Drafted in the 2nd round out of Florida State in 2003. Caught 101 passes as a rookie, earning himself a trip to the Pro Bowl. The only rookie selected to go to Hawaii that season.
A year later the Cardinals would select Larry Fitzgerald and the two would form one of the most dynamic wide receiver tandems in the NFL. The tandem, along with QB Kurt Warner, was one of the biggest reasons the Cards got to, and almost won Super Bowl XLIII.
In an unpopular move the team traded “Q” to the Baltimore Ravens in 2010. For Boldin the move turned out to be for the best. He was a major contributor and catalyst for the Ravens team that defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.
In March of 2013, two months after winning the Super Bowl, he was traded to the very team he had just helped defeat. He has spent the last three seasons with the Cardinals’ division rival Niners, putting up respectable numbers for a team that now appears to be in major decline.
Which brings us to now. The rebuilding 49ers would appear to be moving on, there’s most likely not a need for a 35 year old receiver on a team that’s at least a year or two away from being competitive.
As of this writing he was scheduled to visit with the Calvin Johnson-less Detroit Lions. (Who ironically just signed another Cards WR, Andre Roberts). Boldin has stated that he’d like to play for a contender so it’s debatable whether the Lions even fit that criteria.
The Arizona Cardinals are without a doubt a contender, boasting one of the strongest rosters in the NFL. However, it’s also a roster that’s stacked at wide receiver, so signing Boldin would be a luxury not a need.
Still, I would think any diehard Arizona Cardinals fan would find the idea of bringing Boldin back to the nest extremely intriguing. Would he possibly accept a one year deal for minimum money with the idea that he would have a legitimate shot at another Super Bowl ring? Would GM Steve Keim even consider making such a move?
The answer to that question is most likely no. As mentioned the team already appears more than set at wide receiver. That money and roster spot would be better used on , say, an offensive tackle or maybe even a veteran cornerback.
It would be a great story though. One of the best players to ever wear Cardinal red returns just in time for the organization to win it’s 1st Super Bowl. Have to admit, has a nice ring to it.