Anquan Boldin: More Than Money

Before the 2008 NFL season began, the Arizona Cardinals thought they were heading into the year with a 37-year-old quarterback, minus one of his primary targets—Anquan Boldin.

It had nothing to do with injury (yet), but rather a contract dispute. With three years and $12 million remaining on his current deal, Boldin watched teammate Larry Fitzgerald receive a four-year, $40 million contract.

Fitzgerald's finesse-style and downfield ability perhaps caught the media limelight of what is the best receiving combo in the National Football League. However, Boldin felt that his hard-nosed, hard-working, and aggressive style of play should be rewarded as well.

When negotiations were unsuccessful before the campaign began, Boldin did not sulk.  He did not run to the media, attempting to portray the Cardinals' organization as cheap or unfair. He knew what it took to help his team (and yes, for as little as it is recognized the Arizona Cardinals are, for at least this season, his team) both on and off the field.

Boldin began the season on fire—an eight-catch, 82-yard performance against the division rival 49ers, followed by a six-catch, 140-yard, three-touchdown game in Arizona's home debut against the Miami Dolphins.

Then came September 28th, Week Four of the 2008 season. The Cardinals' aggressive leader, playmaker, and captain, lay motionless in the end zone at the end of a meaningless blowout loss the New York Jets after taking a crushing head-to-head shot from Jets' safety Eric Wilson.

Although the hit rendered both men unconscious, Wilson got up, but Boldin continued to lay there, arms outstretched, legs crossed. After coming to, Boldin demanded the paramedics let him off the stretcher—a wish they kindly denied. This is just another sign of the fearlessness and ability to overcome the odds that teammates and fans have been accustomed to over Boldin's illustrious five-year NFL career.

One sinus surgery and six plates later, Boldin is back on the field doing what he does best—making highlight reel catches and scoring (five touchdowns since his return against the Carolina Panthers, including two and the game-winner in Arizona's huge division win this week on Monday Night Football against the resurgent San Francisco 49ers).

Now, consider this—the Arizona Cardinals make a deep run into the playoffs, perhaps even a first-round bye.  The further the Cardinals go, the more Boldin is worth.  And here's why:

After Super Bowl XXXIX, Deion Branch, who caught 11 passes on his way to earning MVP honors, earned a six-year, $40 million contract, and was traded to the Seattle Seahawks for a first-round draft pick.

One year later, Antwaan Randle El is a Super Bowl XL hero after throwing the game-sealing touchdown pass on an end-around to Hines Ward. The following season, he signed a seven-year, $31 million dollar contract with the Washington Redskins.

Coincidentally, both of these players have failed to live up to the hype they brought when signing with new teams.  Branch has been on the sidelines for the majority of his tenure while Randle El had been the victim of a sub-par passing attack until this year, where he is enjoying a mediocre season.

If the Cardinals do not pay Boldin, and pay him well, they will be losing a leader, a captain, and arguably the toughest player in the National Football League.  Boldin is young, and poised for a Hall of Fame-type career, but to move on from a team where staff, teammates, and fans adore you is to set yourself up for failure.

So Arizona, pay your receiver.  It is understood that Steve Breaston is waiting in the wings, but he is a great slot-receiver, why change that?  The Cardinals have three dominant receivers, but none more dominating on and off the field than Anquan Boldin.