Boldin update; scheduling notes
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Boldin update; scheduling notes
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
With the owners' meetings under way in California, it looks there will be no shortage of news and rumors this week.
Where should we start?
How about Anquan Boldin?
SI.com's Peter King wrote about Boldin in his Monday Morning Quarterback column today, saying the Cardinals are still trying to sign him to a long-term deal, but they're probably not willing to go to $10 million a year. Per King, if a team like the Eagles were to offer Arizona a mid-to-late first-round pick, the Cardinals would be willing to listen.
If Boldin were to accept a deal in the neighborhood of $8 to $9 million a year, King says he's likely to stay in Arizona.
Here's a little snippet from his column:
On the surface, it seems ridiculous Philly and others aren't running to try to dislodge the best physical wideout in football from the Cardinals. I think it has to do with separation speed. Boldin can't run past most corners. Fitzgerald can. That's what separates them. And that might be why, at the end of the day, the Eagles won't hand over the 27th pick in the draft for him. I don't like that logic at all, because Boldin's a great playmaker, and he'd be a difference-maker in a physical division like the NFC East. If I'm the Eagles, I don't walk to make that deal (if it can be made). I run.
I would ask you if you think the Eagles should offer a first-round pick for Boldin, but I think I know what the consensus would be.
More news and rumors
** Bob Brookover wrote about the possibility of Braylon Edwards being on the block today on Birds' Eye View. Some more details on the trade talks between the Giants and the Browns. According to a report by The Giants' Insider, via Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, New York offered a second- and fifth-round pick for Edwards. The Browns reportedly also wanted receiver Steve Smith. The Giants instead offered Mario Manningham or Domenik Hixon. At that point, the deal died.
** The Eagles will work out Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew on March 30, according to Adam Caplan of Scout.com. Pettigrew is regarded as the top tight end in the draft. And for the record, my buddy Lemur was openly begging for the Birds to add Pettigrew when we were talking Eagles and watching hoops over the weekend.
** Bill Williamson of ESPN.com lists storylines to watch at the owners' meetings. He says he'll have an eye on the Chiefs' veterans, including Tony Gonzalez, who Williamson believes still could be traded.
** Some opening weekend games have been announced.
The Steelers host the Titans in the opener at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10. The Packers will host the Bears on Sunday night. The Bills and T.O. will take on the Patriots in New England for the first Monday night game at 7 p.m. And the Raiders will host the Chargers in the second game at 10:15.
No Eagles game on Thanksgiving night this season. The Broncos will host the Giants.
If the Cardinals will take only the 27th pick for Boldin, then I'd make that trade, but I doubt that's all they'd want. All the talk has been how they want something at least as good as the Cowboys gave up for Williams which means a 1st and a 3rd. I would not give up two 1st rounders or a 1st rounder plus a 2nd or 3rd for Boldin. There are several differences between Fitgerald and Boldin beyond speed. Fitzgerald has a significant edge on Boldin in height and leaping ability which makes him a much better receiver in traffic and on deep passes. Plus, huge difference in attitude. Fitzgerald has a great attitude and Boldin threw a temper tantrum on the sideline with a few minutes to go in an NFC championship game while his team was losing and trying to drive for a win. I'd trade both 1st round picks for Fitzgerald. I'd trade the 27th pick in the 1st round for Boldin or I'd trade a 2nd and a 5th round pick for Boldin like the Giants supposedly offered for Edwards but that's as much as I'd be willing to give up for Boldin. Fitzgerald would be a much, much different story.— JimG- We've got 12 draft picks and we're $40 million under the cap. Get a deal done for Boldin. Give Cards the 21st pick and pay him $9 million a year. Use the 28th pick to get a running back and package 2nd, 3rd and 4th round draft picks for Peters from Buffalo. If a deal for Peters falls through, draft an OL in round 2. Boldin and Peters are both young and proven commodities. Trade up and use a second round pick on the tight end from South Carolina. Use remaining picks on shoring up defensive line, offensive line (let's release Winston 'Human Turnstile' Justice) and secondary. With a young aggressive defense, a well balanced offense, good special teams (Akers can always go Nascar on us if he can't kick)we can get this done. I'm tired of being the only team in our division without a ring. Let's hope the billionaire goes for the gold this year. Without a cap next year, all bets are off.— va philly fan
- Trade the latter of the first round draft picks for Boldin, and use the earliest one to take a RB. We need both of these positions filled! Reggie Brown is a number 3 receiver at best!— FloridaBrian
- If the Gold Standard lands Boldin, gets a running back with a first round pick and builds its offensive line with second and third round picks, this would be considered a good off season. Don't forget they already landed a REAL fullback. Boldin and Jackson split wide. Curtis as the slot receiver. Not bad! One other thing: Brian Dawkins made a lot of money playing with the Eagles, if he really wanted to stay that badly, he wouldn't have signed a contract with another team 24 hours after free agency began. In his case, it was ENTIRELY about the money. Don't judge the Gold Standard too harshly; the safety they signed from the Browns can actually cover someone; Dawkins could not.— syddan26
- just get boldin— ag
- There is another guy on the Eagles with separation speed. He had 900 plus yards in his first season last year. Boldin would be a monster teaming up with that kid from Cal. $10 million a year and the 27th pick? And we have $35 mill to work with? It's a nice thought but I don't see Andy Reid "running" anywhere.— elektrika
Comment removed.- This is crunch time. The owners meetings and a month before the draft...the Eagle's FO can be judged by this time period with how it ultimately ends. Lets hope it ends well. (Weaver at FB..not bad, and cant really dislike the Safety pick-ups) Lets see what happens!— mw_oco
- Finally, Sheil comes through with some news about trade rumors, something other than lame no news articles!! Thank you, even if it is just rumors! It's a no brainer if you can get him for one of the two picks (it would probably take 21st) and another pick in third probably. You have to ask, will it significantly help the team...I say yes. Get it done!!!! Running back, Moreno or Mccoy or go for the tight end Pettigrew.— #1WRneeded
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