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2010 NFL Question Marks: Baltimore Ravens

Anthony Stalter — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:00:09 +0000

Merry training camp season, everyone. It’s been a long offseason, but football is finally gearing up again and to celebrate I’m rolling out a new series on TSR entitled “2010 NFL Question Marks,” where I discuss one or two of the biggest concerns that teams have heading into the new season. Granted, some teams have more issues than others, but I’ll primarily be focusing on the biggest problem areas. First up is the Baltimore Ravens and their question marks surrounding their secondary.

After dismantling the Patriots in the postseason last year, Raven fans are more excited about the team’s Super Bowl hopes this season than I am about “Shark Week” every year. (I think it goes without saying that sharks are the greatest fish, human and/or breathing organism on the planet. I mean, they’re sharks.)

And who could blame the Baltimore faithful? Joe Flacco is heading into his third season (which is the year when things are supposed to really “click” for players), Ray Rice is on the verge of superstardom and the passing game added a legitimate No. 1 wideout this offseason thanks to Ozzie Newsome’s trade for Anquan Boldin.

But just like all 32 teams at this time of year, the Ravens have some concerns and most of theirs lie within the secondary.

First and foremost, Ed Reed isn’t healthy and that’s a huge problem. At 31, some note that he isn’t as physical as he was earlier in his career, but the guy can still cover ground with the best of them. His ability to read what formation an offense comes out in, bait the quarterback into making a poor throw and then actually make a play on the ball is unrivaled. In fact, I wouldn’t hesitate to say he was the best coverage safety in the league last year, along with Arizona’s Adrian Wilson.

But again, he’s also hurt. The Ravens recently placed him on the active/Physically Unable to Perform list and he’s a candidate to miss the first six weeks of the season as he continues to battle a hip injury. He missed four games last year and the Ravens still made the playoffs, but playing without him isn’t something the team wants to make a habit of.

The good news is that Tom Zbikowski is Reed’s replacement. The former Notre Dame’s two biggest contributions to the team is his versatility and his toughness. He also provides outstanding depth for a secondary that simply cannot stay healthy and if he winds up starting the first six games for Reed this season, he could wind up making a significant impact.

Thanks to Zbikowski, Reeds’ injury is less of a concern than the growing problem the Ravens currently have at cornerback. Head coach John Harbaugh said in mid-June that Fabian Washington and Lardarius Webb (an underrated player who turned in a nice season last year) won’t be 100% early in the year as both defensive backs continue to recover from ACL injuries. Washington was already placed on the same PUP list as Reed, so obviously the Ravens are being cautious with his recovery.

Injuries aside, Washington didn’t play particularly well last season and Domonique Foxworth struggled early on after signing a huge contract in the offseason. Granted, the Ravens’ pass-rush wasn’t up to snuff either (they produced the second lowest sack totals in franchise history), but the secondary was routinely beat early in the year.

It’s fair to note that Foxworth did play better during the second half and if both Washington and Webb can return to full health, then the Ravens’ secondary is going to be just fine. Plus, let’s keep in mind that a defensive backfield is only as good as its pass rush, so it would be nice if Terrell Suggs returned to form, too.

Given the concerns that other teams are facing right now, the Ravens’ secondary question marks are rather tame. But this team needs to stay healthy at the safety and cornerback position if the Ravens are going to live up to the expectations that some have set for them (which includes a possible Super Bowl appearance).

Anquan Boldin, Ravens a perfect match

Anthony Stalter — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:49:56 +0000

Anquan Boldin hasn’t caught one pass yet as a Baltimore Raven, but I feel confident enough to say that it’s already a perfect partnership.

The Ravens acquired Boldin and a fifth round pick from the Arizona Cardinals on Friday in exchange for their third and fourth round selections in this year’s draft. Immediately after acquiring the 29-year-old receiver, Baltimore signed him to a four-year, $28 million deal.

The Ravens have been desperately seeking a true No. 1 receiver over the past couple years, while Boldin has wanted to be treated like one. It’s not that he didn’t like playing in Arizona – he just felt as though he should be paid similarly to Larry Fitzgerald, or at least have the opportunity to make No. 1-type money.

Boldin will immediately upgrade Baltimore’s receiving corps and assuming he doesn’t retire, Derrick Mason will make a fine No. 2. Acquiring a legitimate No. 1 receiver was the final piece of the puzzle for GM Ozzie Newsome and while it took a couple years, he finally found one in Boldin. Joe Flacco now has several solid weapons at his disposal in Boldin, Mason and rising star Ray Rice, and will also be protected by an above average offensive line.

While the Cardinals would have loved to keep Boldin paired with Fitzgerald in their dynamic offense, all parties involved in this trade walk away winners. The Ravens got their receiver, Boldin got his money and his No. 1 status, and the Cardinals got fair compensation for a player that didn’t want to be there long-term.

Boldin was a top 10 fantasy receiver in Arizona, and depending on who starts the season as the Ravens’ WR2, he should be a top 10 receiver in Baltimore. If Mason sticks around, it will likely depress the numbers of both players. Also, don’t expect Ray Rice to catch 78 passes again next season. Boldin is going to get a ton of targets and Mason figures to as well.

From Arizona’s point of view, it’s an opportunity for Steve Breaston or Early Doucet to step into the WR2 role and have a big season. Breaston has had the better career, but Doucet played well in the postseason, catching 14 passes for 145 yards and two TD against the Packers and Saints. However, either player’s success will depend directly on how Matt Leinart fares at QB. There’s a good chance that the Cardinals will now focus more on Beanie Wells and the running game. Larry Fitzgerald should continue to be a top 3 fantasy wideout.

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Boldin officially on the market – Dolphins not interested?

Anthony Stalter — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:15:43 +0000

Two sources told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that the Dolphins probably won’t pursue Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin this offseason.

Two people in contact with the Dolphins said last week they would be very surprised if Miami pursues a trade for Brandon Marshall — Denver says it might keep him, and Marshall wants to stay — but they could envision the Dolphins offering a draft pick (third round or later) for Arizona’s Anquan Boldin.

Cardinals GM Rod Graves confirmed today that he is receptive to trade offers for Boldin, although nothing is in the works as of now.

If Graves hopes to get anything for Boldin before his contract runs out at the end of the season, then he may have to take a third round pick or later. It’s rumored that the Cardinals want at least a second rounder in exchange for Boldin, but that seems high.

My best guess is that Boldin will be traded for a third round pick on one of the 45 draft nights/days that the NFL will hold this year. And I think the team that will offer that third round pick will be the Ravens.

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Should the Cardinals trade Anquan Boldin?

Anthony Stalter — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:50:19 +0000

If beat writer Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic is right when he says that the Cardinals will try to shop receiver Anquan Boldin this offseason, then the team would be making a wise decision.

Boldin is a quality playmaker with excellent size, good speed and solid hands. But talent isn’t something the Cardinals are desperate for at the wideout position. They have plenty of youth and depth at receiver with Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston and Early Doucet, which makes Boldin expendable.

Boldin will be 30 in early October and is set to make $3 million in his final year. Mind you, that’s not a ton of money to pay a receiver of his caliber, but if he reaches free agency after the 2010 season then Arizona will get nothing for him in return. If they trade him now, they might be able to get a third round pick and another player, which was what teams were offering last offseason.

A trade makes even more sense if Kurt Warner retires this offseason. When Matt Leinart takes over under center, the Cardinals will switch from an offense that attacks opponents through the air to one that tries to beat teams on the ground. The focus will come off the quarterback and receivers and onto young running back Beanie Wells.

If Warner does hang ‘em up, then Arizona won’t have much need to have four starting-caliber receivers on its roster. Fitzgerald, Breaston and Doucet would be more than enough at the receiver position and if they can acquire a draft pick for Boldin, then they could concentrate on acquiring more talent on defense.

That said, I wouldn’t blame the Cardinals if they retained Boldin if Warner decides to play one more year. They could keep the same offense intact and led by the best receiving corps in the league, try to make another run at a Super Bowl. But in that scenario, they still forfeit the opportunity to acquire some form of compensation before Boldin walks at the end of the year.

I guess we’ll have to wait and see what Warner decides and what teams would be offering for Boldin. Either way, the Cardinals will be faced with an interesting dilemma this offseason.

Assuming they can get fair compensation, should the Cardinals try to trade Boldin?

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Bears, Eagles made trade offers to Cardinals for Boldin on draft day

Anthony Stalter — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:30:11 +0000

According to the Arizona Republic, the Eagles offered the Cardinals cornerback Sheldon Brown and a third round pick in exchange for receiver Anquan Boldin on draft day, but Arizona quickly rejected it. Bears’ GM Jerry Angelo also admitted that he offered the 49th overall pick in exchange for Boldin, but obviously was turned down himself.

Earlier this week, Eagles coach Andy Reid told a Philadelphia radio audience that the price for Boldin was too high, both in terms of trade compensation and a new contract. As a baseline, Reid threw out trade terms of first, third and fifth-round picks, in addition to a new contract worth $10 million or so a year.

Maybe Reid was trying to spin the situation to satisfy Eagles fans, some of whom have long clamored to trade for Boldin. In the radio interview, Reid went on to say that he didn’t think the Cardinals ever really wanted to trade Boldin. Of course, it would be hard to determine that when the best offer is Brown and a third rounder.

Maybe the Eagles figured they would take a stab at stealing Boldin for a pittance. No harm in that.
The Eagles never offered more than the third round pick and Brown, a seven-year veteran who is unhappy with his current contract. The Cardinals didn’t have a need for a starting cornerback after signing Bryant McFadden in free agency.

Sheldon and a third round pick for Boldin? I thought I heard laughter off in the distance on draft day – turns out it was Cardinals’ GM Rod Graves after talking with the Eagles.

Hey, it was worth a shot for the Eagles. If nothing came out of it, so be it. But if the Cards were at all desperate to relieve themselves from the Boldin situation, maybe they would have pulled the trigger on Philly’s offer. (And then would have been rightfully lambasted by their fans and media in the process.)

I wonder if Graves would have done a deal with Angelo for a second and a third, although the third would have had to been for 2010 because Chicago had already traded that pick to Denver for Jay Cutler. Still, if Angelo was able to pull a deal off for Boldin, then the Bears would have went from perennial NFC North favorites to legit Super Bowl contenders.

Rosenhaus: Boldin isn’t seeking $10 million a year

Anthony Stalter — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:07:00 +0000

According to the Arizona Republic, Anquan Boldin’s agent Drew Rosenhaus has submitted a contract offer to the Cardinals, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the team is willing to negotiate at this time.

Rosenhaus said contrary to speculation, Boldin is not seeking a deal worth $10 million a year, which is what teammate Larry Fitzgerald is receiving. The recent offer is for less, Rosenhaus said.

An NFL source familiar with the proposal said the deal averaged just under $10 million per season.

Rosenhaus declined to say when he made the proposal to the Cardinals. He has discussed the proposal with Graves, he said, but the Cardinals have not responded with a counteroffer.

It could be the range of $8 million to $9 million a year on average. T.J. Houshmandzadeh signed a five-year, $40 million deal with Seattle this spring, with $15 million guaranteed.

Dallas traded for Roy Williams last year, then signed him to a five-year, $45 million deal with $20 million guaranteed.

If we’re talking solely about contract numbers, Boldin is definitely worth the $9 mil a year that Housh is getting. But it’s obviously not that simple for the Cards to just re-negotiate a deal like that for Boldin considering they’re already paying Fitzgerald $10 million a year. Plus, and this is a biggie, Boldin is still under contract for two more years. The Cardinals aren’t obligated to do anything with his contract if they don’t want to.

Nevertheless, at least the lines of communication are open between Rosenhaus and the Cardinals. We’ll see what Arizona’s countermove is.

Dolphins monitoring Anquan Boldin situation

Anthony Stalter — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:13:47 +0000

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald writes that the Dolphins are still monitoring Anquan Boldin’s situation in Arizona and haven’t dismissed the idea of trading for the disgruntled wideout.

The fact is the Dolphins definitely, positively have not thrown in the towel on 2009 for any reason, much less the fanciful one that they realize they’re not a Super Bowl contender. Be serious. Does that sound like Tony Sparano or Bill Parcells to you?

I’m going so far as telling you the Dolphins are still monitoring the Anquan Boldin situation. Parcells thinks this kid is a monster! He recognizes there are problems with trading for him — compensation to the Cardinals and compensation of $7-$8 million per year to the player. But the Dolphins have definitely not at this point completely dismissed the idea of being active on the matter if it ever hits the front burner.

Here’s a thought: As we know, Parcells gets awfully antsy when he stays in one place for too long. He almost bolted Miami after one year, so it’s not a stretch to think that he’ll jet after the 2009 season for another new adventure.

Given this line of thinking, if Parcells loves Boldin and knows he might not be around next year, what’s from stopping him for putting a package together for two high draft picks in the upcoming years (maybe a first and third next year) for Boldin and trying to win it all this season? What does he care – he won’t be around in 2010 when Miami has to deal with the lack of compensation. And nobody would call him out on it because A) they would be getting a great player in Boldin and B) Parcells would say that he was trying to win.

This news rumor has very little to stand on now, but it’ll be interesting to see if it develops over the summer.