Wednesday, July 29, 2009

FSH: (WEDNESDAY) WATERCOOLER CHAT

July 29th, 2009 10:15pm PST



WATERCOOLER CHAT


Time to Get’er Done!

With the Arizona Cardinals opting not to offer linebacker Karlos Dansby a contract extension at this time, they have in effect decided to let Dansby play out the 2009 and possibly enter the free-market in 2010. With the Dansby situation being shelved for the time being, the focus in Arizona would expect to move toward their next unhappy camper, wide receiver Anquan Boldin.

During the early offseason and all the way through the NFL draft there was a lot of talk about trade, but nothing ever came to fruition. With the latest turn of events with Dansby not getting signed, it would appear that it is now the time for both the Cards and Boldin to put-up or shut-up.

With training camps just opening, it’s time for the Cardinal’s front office to Get’er done and re-sign Boldin. Last season your franchise had great success largely due to its’ explosive offense in which Boldin played a big role, you don’t try and fix what’s not broke and you don’t break up what’s working.

Let’s Play GM…

Re-signing Anquan Boldin

Last season the Cardinals came less than three minutes away from shocking the football world with an incredible finish to an unlikely season. Now with most of your returning weapons in place, now is not the time to tinker with success.

The GM Game…
It really isn’t as difficult as many would think, after all aren’t we just dealing with over inflatted egos? Nonetheless, if both sides are going to make this work, why not rework the deal, so both sides can win?

If we are GM, we’re getting this deal done and getting sealed well before the season starts. The last thing we want to see if an unhappy player turning the press and creating distraction in the locker room.

Boldin is a producer and wants to be paid to the level of his contributions and deservedly so. He’s already inline to make $2.75 million this season and another $3 million next season, so if I am Rod Graves, I am going to offer that we rework his current deal to conclude at the end of this season with the full $5.75 million being paid this year. We’ll also add some incentives that could add another $1.25-2.25 million.

While he plays under this deal, the plan will be to sit down with his new agent Tom Condon, to have a new multi-year deal worked out by mid-season. The plan will be to sign the 28-year old tough-nosed receiver to a new four year extension (through 2013) with an average salary of what the top 10-12 players in the league are making (the goal, around $7-$8 million per year with incentives that could raise his payout close to $10 million).

Boldin has put up the numbers over the past four seasons, averaging 86 catches per season and 1,124-yards receiving with 31 total touchdowns in 54 games. After last season, no one can doubt his toughness and these numbers do not lie about how productive Boldin can be. Priority number one for me would be (and the Cardinals with their 2009 training camp now open), resign wide receiver Anquan Boldin.

Get’er done!

Keep checking back for more football....

By David G. Ortega



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