Is Anquan Unhappy? An Eagles Trade Rumor Is Born

Despite the fact that both sides had continuously indicated that it would happen, most of us were fairly disappointed to see that Larry Fitzgerald had restructured his contract and will remain with the Cardinals. But fear not, Eagles fans, the next round of possibly meritless but entirely enticing speculation may have just begun! When Cardinals management closes a door, Adam Schefter and Mike Florio open a window.

Via Profootballtalk.com:

According to Adam Schefter of NFL Network, Anquan Boldin could want more money and/or a trade in the wake of Fitzgerald’s $10 million-per-year contract.

Per Schefter, some in the Cardinals organization actually regard Boldin as the better wideout.  But Boldin will make far, far less than Fitzgerald over the next three seasons — he’s due to earn base salaries of $2.5 million, $2.75 million, $3 million in 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively.

And wait for it... wait for it...

Possible destinations are Philly, Dallas, and the Redskins.

YES! Possible!

>>Anquan Boltin? [profootballtalk.com]

Comments

[Joe]

Yay! More false hope. But hope nonetheless.

[Zack]

is this the line to get on the emotional roller coaster?

[Casey]

That would be great. I got my hopes up about Fitzgerald, so I am not gonna think about this happening.

[Lenny]

Now taking bets on the next "possible" receiver. Odds will be posted once Vegas releases them.

[Kulp]

This is pretty much the most upsetting thing I've seen in the past two weeks. I happen to check into PFT multiple times per day, but when I first saw this I really hoped it would fly under the radar. This story is total speculation at its worse and is grounded in nothing but the dashed hopes of Eagles fans.

That's not to say Anquan Boldin will not eventually be traded from the Cardinals. In fact, I can't disagree with the notion that the new Fitz deal makes Boldin's departure almost inevitable. Unfortunately, there is no reason to believe that he is immediately available for trade, or that the Eagles are even interested for that matter. I'm all for the Eagles exploring all opportunities this off-season, but I would prefer the rumor have at least some truth to it first before we give it any serious thought.

[Joe Manning]

Lito Sheppard and our 2nd round draft pick for Boldin. Done and done.

They can even have McDougle as a special bonus.

[Sophia's Bush]

it's gonna be like this until draft day and maybe beyond with all these rumors.

it's def a rollercoaster of emotions

[Johnny G]

I'm in a glass case of emotion!

[johndewar]

I would like to see this happen. I really would. But....

Being (possibly) unhappy and being a candidate for a trade are two different things. Boldin is under contract at a good number; why would the Cardinals even consider trading him? There would have to be some public unhappiness (not quite TO-level, but close) on the part of Boldin along with some cap issues on the part of the Cardinals for me to take this a little more seriously.

I would like to see this happen, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

[Andy]

Oh my god. Philly would fall in love with Boldin. He's the best kept secret in the NFL. He's the toughest WR to bring down after the catch (including T.O) and he's not afraid at all to go over the middle.

Obviously it's just a rumor, but considering the Eagles have made runs at every WR who MIGHT be available, it at least makes sense to me.

As a disclaimer, I am probably the biggest Boldin fan on the planet. But I would love this.

[T]

Yea, Boldin would have to really start being a pain in the ass for them to give him up like that, and I don't see him doing that. Sad, sad situation... I can just see DeSean Jackson dropping passes all over the place for us in the fall.

[Johnny G]

I doubt they would draft another receiver under 6 feet

[Johnny G]

I like james hardy and if he isn't there in round 1 i think adarius bowman could be there later in the draft

[Chamomiles Davis]

Is this the line to get on the emotional roller coaster?

Step right up! You must be this depressed to ride.

[Thomas Jarsim]

In a week when he re-signs I am going to be saying he sucks just like I did when Moss and Fitz re-signed. However, until then...Boldin is the best WR ever dudes!

[HLH]

Just draft James Hardy and i'll be happy. Or atleast alittle less disappointed

[Johnny G]

I'm startin to think adarius bowman is my favorite receiver in the draft... he is ranked like 14 among receivers but then I see him going in mid to late 20's in the mocks... what do you guys think?

[ScottR]

They're moving Reno Mahe (aka, "The Answer") to WR. You wait and see. Story over. That being said, I would throw up from happiness if they actually scored a stud like Boldin.

[Kulp]

Johnny, there are definitely several receivers in this draft we haven't discussed but could be a good fit. Adarius Bowman is one of those guys. The nice thing is he could be available in round two after running a 4.7 in the 40 at the combine and having what was described as a disappointing week at the Senior Bowl. That might scare some people, but he scored 8 touchdowns in an injury shortened year last season and posted 12 in '06.

Another thing, he was dismissed from UNC after a marijuana charge in '04, but if the Eagles are able to look past that they may be targeting him with their second.

[Johnny G]

yeah if he falls to 50 i don't see how we could pass him up... i just wish we were higher up in the 2nd round... the dude is a beast... nasty after the catch

[Paul D]

POSSIBLE!?

w00t!! Anquan Boldin is more valuable than Fitz anyway. He'd be a great compliment to Brown and Curtis.

pos·si·ble
–adjective
1. that may or can be, exist, happen, be done, be used, etc.: a disease with no possible cure.
2. that may be true or may be the case, as something concerning which one has no knowledge to the contrary: It is possible that he has already gone.

[215 Sports]

next on the rumor list: Torry Holt. Heard it yesterday.

howsabout - Braylon Edwards, now that Cleveland got Donte Stallworth... give em Lito and a pick

[Jonn]

Thanks for the English lesson Paul.

I wish everyone would stop talking about drafting a WR. Do you really think this is going to help us next year? Ever?

We took Reggie Brown high, and though he has some good impact, we're still waiting on him to develop. You really want to sit around for another WR to learn the game? Should I mention names like Todd Pinkston and Fred-Ex?

We need a proven veteran NOW. Why wouldn't the Cards do a deal with Sheppard and a draft pick (possibly Brown as well) for Boldin if they were close to doing it for Fitz? It's too late... my hopes are high... Should this happen I will curl up on the floor motionless due to the overwhelming joy.

[215 Sports]

Jonn - I completly agree with your logic. I do not like the idea of drafting a WR. We have proven we are horrible at it (Stinkston and Fred Ex) and there is usually always a learning curve that takes time.

Need to make a move with our best poker hand (Lito in a package) for a proven talent.

[Kulp]

Why on earth would the Browns trade Braylon Edwards? Braylon Edwards caught 16 touchdown passes last season and went to the Pro Bowl. How many Pro Bowls has Donte Stallworth been invited to?

And Torry Holt is old news. That was a completely baseless rumor when it was first brought up about a week ago, and the Rams have already refuted it. If they traded him, their #1 receiver would be Drew Bennett. They're not trying to get worse.

Now John, the reason the Cards are not automatically trading Boldin even after the new Fitz deal is they are under no pressure to do so. Even if he wants a new contract, he has three years remaining on his current deal. He has no leverage with his club at all. Like I already said when this first broke, I'm not suggesting there is no chance Boldin is traded, but it's not as if they are backed into a corner the way they appeared to be with Fitzgerald. With that said, I think it's obvious with Matt Leinart still very unproven, they will keep Boldin at least for '08.

What I can't understand with this is the backlash against drafting a wide receiver, even with a second round pick. So Reid has had some misses, and Reggie Brown is still young and getting better; all I am saying and what a lot of people are saying is the team needs help in the red zone. We don't need a guy to come in and get 100 catches or 1,000 yards or even be a starter, we need a jump receiver. When the field shrinks, it's helpful to have a guy that can get up and over the defense. He doesn't need to know every play in the book, he just needs to be bigger and more athletic than everybody else.

The Eagles have been linked in trade rumors to almost every Pro Bowl receiver, and they've all been completely false or fallen through. If they are going to upgrade this position, it will almost definitely need to be through the draft because there really isn't anybody left. The draft will always be a crap shoot, but they need to find a way to score more points.

[Tiger assface]

I heard fred barnhead is having meetings with Andy Reid to make a comeback. If that doesn't work our I wouldn't mind drafting Texas McBrian. My sources are always right...they told me Iraq had WMDs before everyone else found them.

[phileaglesfan]

Does that mean we aren;t getting Braylon Edwards? lol