Boldin News (Merged)

**LouisianaRaven** · 03-09-2013, 10:29 AM

The funny thing is I wanted Doss to get more of Boldin's reps later in the season. Boldin couldn't get open and was slow. Then, he just exploded in the playoffs and I forgot about that. Maybe Ozzie remembers the struggles before the playoffs. IDK, I'm just grasping for straws here.

**MrPoeJangles** · 03-09-2013, 10:29 AM

He can make plays while covered and no one else on this team is very good at that.

People have to remember that part of the reason he has to make these catches while covered is because he no longer has the speed to get open. Add this to the fact that even after we made the change to Caldwell last year we were still running Cam's O. His value may be substantially less with the new scheme going forward.

**GOTA** · 03-09-2013, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by LouisianaRaven

The funny thing is I wanted Doss to get more of Boldin's reps later in the season. Boldin couldn't get open and was slow. Then, he just exploded in the playoffs and I forgot about that. Maybe Ozzie remembers the struggles before the playoffs. IDK, I'm just grasping for straws here.

Just like Flacco once Cam left Boldin suddenly got a lot better. Coincidence? I think not.

**PurpleApocalypse37** · 03-09-2013, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

Have folks forgotten about Heap or Mason?

This isn't a personal decision. It's a business one, one that has always kept this team in the playoff hunt.

I'd hate to see him go just as much as everyone, but its a huge cap number and I'd hate more we hold on to big contracts for sentimental reasons rather than doing what's best for the team as a whole.

Lets wait and see how this plays out.

It wouldn't be sentimental. Did you watch his performance in the playoffs last year?

**jonboy79** · 03-09-2013, 10:35 AM

LIke the sword, I can only hope this means a big push for Jake Long.

I agree with most that, IMO, Boldin is more impiortant to this team then any OTHER FA, including Reed, Ellerbe and Kruger. I suppose if they think tey can get Greg Jennings for at or below Anquan's $6m salar level that would work as well. But I'd rather Jake Long... and PLEASE GOD NO Jermon Bushrod.

**Bigfish** · 03-09-2013, 10:37 AM

Many posters(myself included), thought a key was to get Boldin to extend and restructure his contract to be more cap friendly. Evidently, the Ravens felt the same way. What nobody thought would happen that he would not be agreeable to this. I still say it gets done, but we'll see.

**GaTechRavens** · 03-09-2013, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by RavenScallywag

Torrey factors into the picture here, but both ways. Torrey is our future at WR, and in 2 years, we need to account for his new deal. But that said, until we have someone we know can line up opposite Torrey and command some attention from DCs, then cutting Boldin and replacing with <insert any WR name here> is going to worsen our game on offense.

The answer might already be in house. Jacoby Jones impressed as well when he saw more action in the playoffs.

**bmorecareful** · 03-09-2013, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by LouisianaRaven

The funny thing is I wanted Doss to get more of Boldin's reps later in the season. Boldin couldn't get open and was slow. Then, he just exploded in the playoffs and I forgot about that. Maybe Ozzie remembers the struggles before the playoffs. IDK, I'm just grasping for straws here.

Originally Posted by MrPoeJangles

People have to remember that part of the reason he has to make these catches while covered is because he no longer has the speed to get open. Add this to the fact that even after we made the change to Caldwell last year we were still running Cam's O. His value may be substantially less with the new scheme going forward.

Bingo. NOTHING changed about Boldin's play between the regular season and the playoffs. Nothing at all. The Ravens used more 3-wide sets than usual, but Boldin wasn't running different routes from out of the slot, he wasn't getting more separation from DBs, and he wasn't catching the ball any different than he usually does.

Boldin is the same player he's always been: an extremely slow, tough, sure-handed WR who will outfight most DBs for the ball more often than not. But he doesn't get any YAC, he doesn't separate downfield, and he has to play in the slot to avoid press coverage. This is who he is and it's who he'll continue to be.

If Boldin can be brought back at the salary of a #2 (like Reggie Wayne's deal last year) then that's what the Ravens should do, but they need to get younger and more talented at WR. They'll do that in the draft. Ozzie is doing what he always does... laying the groundwork for the future.

**Benny8444** · 03-09-2013, 10:44 AM

There are other FA WRs who will get paid more than Boldin if we cut him so I would not be surprised if he is cut then tests the market and sees that there is no offer better then the paycut we offered him from a winning team and re signs.

also, i think there is something big in the works if Oz is creating all this cap space.

Leach can be cut so can BA. we need to reach a settelement with McClain and that will open up 5M in space. Also, once the TV deals hit next year or the year after thats when Torry is due his deal and we will have the space to make it because of the increase in the cap

**srobert96** · 03-09-2013, 10:45 AM

Bottom line is that Boldin is only a number 3 wr or a slot receiver now. He is not worth 7.5m. He went beast mode in the playoffs but that does not change the fact that he can't get open on the outside. He does not get separation which is the reason majority of his catches need to be snatched away from defenders. People are overreacting to his potential release. He never required a double team. Against better corners he did not get open unless he was in the slot. Want to see him come back for this year and next on a reduced contract but will not lose any sleep if he is cut. Next up is Leach.

**Tolucaraven** · 03-09-2013, 10:56 AM

Agreed, he is too slow for anything other than a slot guy or small TE. He is making too much short term cash that can impede the Ravens signing players for the longterm. Slot guys are cheaper and easily replaced for much cheaper, he'll never see what he is making right now by any team if they watch game film. I wouldnt mind him back at a cheaper rate and the FO to sign other younger players. I also wouldnt mind seeing a quicker slot guy either. We knew this was coming.

**Paintballguy** · 03-09-2013, 10:59 AM

Bottom line is his cap number is way too much. It's a business can't hang onto vets if their cost is too much to justify.

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**bt12483** · 03-09-2013, 11:17 AM

Boldin is morphing the same way Whines Hard did. Into a slow WR/TE hybrid in old age.

I still think Q has some juice.

But the 1 year early>1 year late policy usually is valid. I don't even know what I value him at $$-wise.

We don't really have a WR1. When is the last time we had a 1000 yard WR?

**wickedsolo** · 03-09-2013, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by bt12483

Boldin is morphing the same way Whines Hard did. Into a slow WR/TE hybrid in old age.

I still think Q has some juice.

But the 1 year early>1 year late policy usually is valid. I don't even know what I value him at $$-wise.

We don't really have a WR1. When is the last time we had a 1000 yard WR?

Derrick Mason.

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**bt12483** · 03-09-2013, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

Derrick Mason.

I knew it was Mason. Forgot the year. 2009. It's crazy, I bet not many other top teams didn't have a 1000 WR the past 3 seasons.

**wickedsolo** · 03-09-2013, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by bt12483

I knew it was Mason. Forgot the year. 2009. It's crazy, I bet not many other top teams didn't have a 1000 WR the past 3 seasons.

Some teams had multiple 1,000 yard receivers.

Thank you Cam Cameron.

I think if Caldwell had been calling plays all season both Boldin and Torrey would have gone over 1,000 yards. Or, at least one of them would have.

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**Gabrosin** · 03-09-2013, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by srobert96

Bottom line is that Boldin is only a number 3 wr or a slot receiver now. He is not worth 7.5m. He went beast mode in the playoffs but that does not change the fact that he can't get open on the outside. He does not get separation which is the reason majority of his catches need to be snatched away from defenders. People are overreacting to his potential release. He never required a double team. Against better corners he did not get open unless he was in the slot. Want to see him come back for this year and next on a reduced contract but will not lose any sleep if he is cut. Next up is Leach.

A guy who makes the tough catch, in coverage, on third down, to keep the drive going... that guy is absolutely worth $6m in salary in today's NFL. Pitta is nice but he's not Boldin. Neither is Tandon Doss.

**HoustonRaven** · 03-09-2013, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by PurpleApocalypse37

It wouldn't be sentimental. Did you watch his performance in the playoffs last year?

Yes, and that's exactly what I mean when I say sentimental.

Teams that pay players based on past accomplishments don't do very well managing the cap and don't make the playoffs five straight years.

It's a business decision, not a decision based on past glory.

**sopranocorleone** · 03-09-2013, 11:37 AM

There are other things that Boldin brings to the table. He's a great run blocker. He brings physicality on offense that sets the tone. He is also Flacco's go-to guy on third down, and when the offense needs energy, he gets them going. His overall leadership is also underrated.

Look, I get that from a financial standpoint, Boldin isn't worth $7.5 M. But he won't be as easy to replace as other players they have released in the past. He still has plenty of football left. And I fully believe that without Cam, he is a completely different cog in the offensive machine.

I hope something gets resolved between today and Tuesday.

**Paintballguy** · 03-09-2013, 11:52 AM

It always amuses me watching fans cry over players getting cut. I root for the team. I mean I like the players but it is what it is.

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