Boldin | Which would you rather?

**Shas** · 03-09-2013, 01:38 PM

If you could be assured one of the above-mentioned options was available, but just one option, which would you prefer?

BTW, on option 4 I assume they'd be signing a defensive player they'd otherwise lose if they kept Boldin at $7.5 million against the cap. In other words, if you elect to keep Boldin, you have to be okay with losing a player like Ellerbe or Reed.

**HHIRaven** · 03-09-2013, 01:43 PM

Wouldn't you have to list the options

**Shas** · 03-09-2013, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by HHIRaven

Wouldn't you have to list the options

The way the message board software works is you have to post the message first and then go back and post the poll -- so there is a lag in you seeing the poll options.

**The Excellector** · 03-09-2013, 01:46 PM

I don't think I needed to vote for everyone to be aware of what I would have preferred, but I did anyway.

**MrPoeJangles** · 03-09-2013, 02:18 PM

We have to remember Caldwell is going to run his system next year, not Cam's. With Joe and Torrey's ability to make the D respect the deep ball the middle of the field will be wide open. Austin could be deadly in that role. Not only with his speed, but his uncanny ability to make people miss in space. Once teams cheat up on him Torrey will blow the top off.

**HHIRaven** · 03-09-2013, 02:18 PM

Sorry about that

**Shas** · 03-09-2013, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by HHIRaven

Sorry about that

No problem. Just clarifying.

**The Excellector** · 03-09-2013, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by MrPoeJangles

We have to remember Caldwell is going to run his system next year, not Cam's. With Joe and Torrey's ability to make the D respect the deep ball the middle of the field will be wide open. Austin could be deadly in that role. Not only with his speed, but his uncanny ability to make people miss in space. Once teams cheat up on him Torrey will blow the top off.

On top of his quickness, Austin provides vertical speed from the slot position. If safeties cheat up on Torrey, Austin is capable of winning over the top.

**JMUpurkfool** · 03-09-2013, 02:33 PM

Can't they elevate Tandon Doss, resign defensive players and draft Tavon Austin?

**MrPoeJangles** · 03-09-2013, 02:36 PM

On top of his quickness, Austin provides vertical speed from the slot position. If safeties cheat up on Torrey, Austin is capable of winning over the top.

I came back to this thread, thinking I forgot to say that. I truly believe Austin adds an element this team is sorely lacking. Add Rice to the mix and this O could give teams fits.

**The Excellector** · 03-09-2013, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by JMUpurkfool

Can't they elevate Tandon Doss, resign defensive players and draft Tavon Austin?

Yes they can. Steve Bisciotiti has been adamant about not drafting players and keeping them on the bench for years on end.

**alien bird** · 03-09-2013, 03:11 PM

I voted that way as well. I just don't see it realistically happening.

However, if that was possible, I would cut Jacoby Jones instead and try to extend Boldin at a lower cap hit. I love what Jones did in 2012, but that guy can't catch. Those two playoff bombs came right into him and bounced off his body. The returns are great, but I'm not so sure that's worth a $4M cap hit, especially if the Ravens could get someone who was 70% of what Jones brought to the table as a returner. That's a tradeoff I would be willing to make.

**RavenScallywag** · 03-09-2013, 03:17 PM

I voted Tavon Austin, simply because if we could get him, I think that'd be an acceptable alternative that allows us to save some money while finding a VERY good WR setup to replace Boldin long term.

If we bring Boldin back, he's going to be gone when Torrey gets a new deal in 2015. So extending him 3 years won't work, you'd probably just be tacking one more year onto his deal. And by now, I don't know why it is we didn't lead with that?

**GOTA** · 03-09-2013, 03:18 PM

If they extended Boldin it wouldn't be a slightly reduced cap number this year. It would be a significantly reduced cap number this year.

Honestly I think Austin will be long gone by the time we pick anyway.

Welker would not be a fit here at all. If we're going to sign a replacement I'd look at Greg Jennings.

**ballhawk** · 03-09-2013, 03:28 PM

They would be absolutely insane to not extend Boldin for 3 years. But what do I know? I've just sat and watched well over a decade of wr ineptitude from the ravens. They have a good thing going with their receivers right now. Don't fuck it up!

**alien bird** · 03-09-2013, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by ballhawk

They would be absolutely insane to not extend Boldin for 3 years.

It might not be their choice entirely. It could well be that Boldin doesn't want to get an extension and a lower 2013 salary. Maybe he thinks he can make more on the open market. Look at what Brian Hartline just got, and Boldin is much better than Hartline.

**ballhawk** · 03-09-2013, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by alien bird

It might not be their choice entirely. It could well be that Boldin doesn't want to get an extension and a lower 2013 salary. Maybe he thinks he can make more on the open market. Look at what Brian Hartline just got, and Boldin is much better than Hartline.

Boldin has been talking out of both sides of his mouth then, because everything he has said indicates that he likes it in Baltimore, doesn't want to leave, and is more concerned with winning than the big payday.

He could be full of shit I guess. We will soon find out.

**Raven 555** · 03-09-2013, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by ballhawk

They would be absolutely insane to not extend Boldin for 3 years. But what do I know? I've just sat and watched well over a decade of wr ineptitude from the ravens. They have a good thing going with their receivers right now. Don't fuck it up!

You nailed that one!

**Gabrosin** · 03-09-2013, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by ballhawk

Boldin has been talking out of both sides of his mouth then, because everything he has said indicates that he likes it in Baltimore, doesn't want to leave, and is more concerned with winning than the big payday.

He could be full of shit I guess. We will soon find out.

It's one thing to not want to leave. It's another to be forced into taking a pay cut to stay. You cannot tell someone who was a major factor in winning a Super Bowl to take less money if he wants to stay. That's why an extension made so much sense in the first place... you can give Boldin all $6m of his cash but drop his cap hit by $2-3m for this season and still have him at reasonable prices for the next two. It's all about the presentation. Even if the extension was a de facto pay cut (you can't have $6m this year, but you can have $10m over three), both sides can pretend they won.

This is utter madness as far as I'm concerned.

**Doctor** · 03-09-2013, 10:45 PM

I voted to extend Boldin, but even if that IS what ends up happening, I would still be extremely happy to see Ozzie select Tavon Austin.

I agree that Austin is unlikely to be available when we pick (assuming we stay at #32).