Tag: Arizona Cardinals (Page 11 of 51)

      Dansby gives Dolphins the defensive playmaker they’ve needed

      March 5, 2010 /

      There are few inside linebackers in the NFL that are as good in coverage as they are against the run. But Karlos Dansby certainly fits the bill, which is why he was the most sought after linebacker on the free agent market this offseason.

      On Friday, Dansby signed a five-year, $43 million contract with the Dolphins, which includes $22 million in guarantees. It’s the richest deal ever for a linebacker that isn’t primarily a pass-rusher, which proves how valuable he was to Miami.

      If there were one thing the Dolphins have sorely needed the past two years, it would be a playmaker that can immediately step in and make an impact on the defensive side of the ball. Dansby will fill that need for Miami playing next to Channing Crowder as the team’s new “Ted” linebacker in their defense. He’s solid in run defense and skilled in coverage, which is a rarity for inside linebackers. He’s also good for causing a couple of turnovers a year and will certainly be missed by the Cardinals.

      Next up for the Dolphins is finding someone that can rush the passer, which is the one thing they won’t get from the Dansby signing. As expected, the Fins terminated the contract of Joey Porter today, whose only contribution to the team was getting after the quarterback. Miami also released fellow linebacker Akin Ayodele and safety Gibril Wilson, who turned out to be a free agent bust after signing a five-year, $27.5 million contract in February of 2009. It was the second time in two years that Wilson was released by a team just one year after he signed a multi-year contract. (The Raiders cut him after the 2008 season after he signed a lucrative contract that previous spring.)


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      Anquan Boldin, Ravens a perfect match

      March 5, 2010 /

      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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      Ravens, Patriots, Chiefs in the mix for Boldin

      March 5, 2010 /

      ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Ravens are the front-runners to land receiver Anquan Boldin, although Baltimore beat writer Aaron Wilson writes that the Patriots are the front-runners.

      From Rotoworld.com:

      ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Ravens are the front-runners to land Anquan Boldin while Ravens beat writer Aaron Wilson calls the Patriots the favorites.

      The Chiefs also in the mix. It’s funny that two Baltimore reports have the Pats as the favorites, possibly to drive up the price on the Ravens. If the cost is still a third-rounder, Boldin is a no-brainer. His next team has him under contract cheaply for the 2010 season with a year to work out a contract. If no deal can be reached, the cost was still just a third-rounder for one season of a possible difference-maker.

      The Cardinals did well by setting the asking price for Boldin at a third round pick. Getting multiple teams to bid against each other for the next month will only drive up Boldin’s trade value before the draft, which is when teams will really get desperate.

      If it requires throwing in another pick, Ozzie Newsome might want to sweeten his offer (whatever it may be) to ensure Boldin winds up in Baltimore next season. A No. 1 receiver is essentially the last piece of the puzzle for the Ravens’ offense and Boldin would do wonders for Joe Flacco in the passing game.

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      Cardinals want a third round pick for Boldin

      March 4, 2010 /

      The asking price for Anquan Boldin has apparently been set, as the NFL Network’s Mike Lombardi reports that the Cardinals are seeking a third-round pick in exchange for the veteran receiver.

      If that indeed is the asking price, then the Cardinals should have no shortage of trade partners. The Ravens are desperate for a receiver and I would have to believe that GM Ozzie Newsome would be more than willing to part with a third round pick in order to give Joe Flacco a target such as Boldin.

      Outside of the Ravens, the Lions, Patriots, Bucs, Jaguars, Panthers, Dolphins, Chiefs, Jets and Bengals could all be potential trade partners with the Cardinals as well. Many people will throw the Bears into this mix, but considering they don’t have a draft pick in either of the first two rounds, it stands to reason that Jerry Angelo will hang onto his third round selection.

      Even if Lombardi’s report is accurate, the Cardinals may not trade Boldin until the draft. It makes more sense for Arizona to wait until teams start to panic about their receiver position before parting with Q.


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      Boldin officially on the market – Dolphins not interested?

      February 27, 2010 /

      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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