As the Anquan turns: Boldin rumors are flying

Rumors always swirl right before the NFL Draft, with players being made available and teams trying to move up and down in the draft. Anquan Boldin has long been rumored to be on the move out of Arizona due to contractual issues, and today a series of rumors began flying out of Arizona that signify his situation might be sorted out soon.

The first bit of information that came out today was that the Cardinals have lowered their asking price for the star receiver. Arizona originally wouldn't settle for anything less than a 1st round pick but today they said they would be willing to accept a 2nd round pick packaged with a player. ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reported this info that made it seem like the Cards were getting desperate and trying to move Boldin right away. Might I suggest Reggie Brown and the Eagles 2nd this year?

Ah, hold on Eagles fans, not so fast! The Cardinals GM Rod Graves then came out and said that he hasn't lowered the price for Anquan Boldin because he isn't really on the market. Graves also said that the team is still trying to sign Boldin to an extension and they think they can get one done sooner later than later.

But wait, there's more! According to Sal Pal again, the Eagles officially made an offer for Boldin: a 3rd round pick this year, a 2nd round pick in 2010 and Winston Justice. The Eagles have plenty of draft picks and have been willing to shop Justice, so the deal makes sense on their end. However, on the Cardinals end, it does seem like a bit of a lowball offer.

And the Cardinals apparently agree! The Cards officially rejected the Eagles offer and instead seemed to have struck up some kind of agreement with the Tennessee Titans. Apparently, at some point, Boldin's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, had some contact with the Titans, presumably to talk contract extension. So, the Titans must have had an offer on the table that the Cardinals liked?

Actually, not really. The Cardinals once again publicly stated that they are not trying to trade Boldin and that they have rejected all offers from other teams. Arizona has made it clear that they are listening to offers, but not actively looking to deal Boldin.

So, what do we make from all of this speculation and rumor? Anquan Boldin can be had for the right price. The Cardinals are denying that Boldin is available because they don't want to just throw him on the market and get lowball offers, but they clearly are willing to move him if they get offered a good package of picks and players. This move, if it happens at all, will likely go down tomorrow during the draft. If it doesn't happen tomorrow, then it probably won't happen at all.

As I have stated all along, if Anquan Boldin is on the market, the Eagles better be putting all of their effort into trying to bring him to Philly. If he can be had for a 2nd round pick and a player, there is no excuse not to get something done.

Keep checking back for the latest Boldin rumors! Things are going to get really interesting in the next 24 hours.

Eagles land Jason Peters

As rumors about a possible trade for Anquan Boldin continue to swirl around Philadelphia, the Eagles appear to be closing in on a deal that would shape up their offensive line. According to several sources, the Eagles appear close to acquiring Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters from the Buffalo Bills, likely for one of their first round picks. Peters has been looking for a bigger contract from the Bills but has been unable to get the deal he wants so Buffalo has been shopping him around the league. While he is under contract through 2010, the Eagles would still likely want to sign Peters to an extension if they acquire him.

The trade itself makes a ton of sense for the Eagles, especially if they can sign Peters for long term. Peters would fill their current hole along the offensive line and he is still only 27 so he could be in Philly for a while.

If the Eagles do give up a first round pick to get Peters, they are essentially guaranteeing that they won't be trading for Anquan Boldin. The Cardinals have said they want 1st and 3rd round picks for Boldin and I doubt the Eagles would trade away both of their first round picks for veteran talent. I don't mind the Eagles pulling the trigger for Peters because, as much as I like Boldin, their need along the offensive line is greater than their need for another wide reciever.

UPDATE: The Eagles have acquired Peters for their late first round pick, a 4th rounder and another pick in 2010

Eagles work out Boldin (No, not that one!)

According to ProFootballTalk.com, a wide receiver named Boldin has had a private workout with the Eagles. No, it isn't Anquan, but it is his younger brother, D.J. Boldin. D.J. was a wideout for Wake Forest who isn't getting a lot of draft attention but the Eagles invited him in to take a closer look. D.J. figures to be a second day pick, but he is big and strong like his older brother Anquan and he did lead the ACC with 77 catches last year.

Could the Eagles be setting things up for a Boldin brother reunion? If D.J. really plays a lot like Anquan then it would seem pointless to have two receivers that play the same style, but if it makes coming to Philly more enticing for Anquan, I'm all for it!

It could really happen: the Cardinals are shopping Anquan Boldin

Good news, Eagles fans: according to ProFootballTalk.com, the Cardinals have begun shopping wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Up until now, all of the news about Boldin has been that he wants out of Arizona if he doesn't get a new deal. Apparently, the Cardinals aren't willing to give him that deal and have begun looking for a trading partner. Boldin will want a new contract from whichever team trades for him and he is looking for about 9 million dollars a year.

Hmm, I wonder what team has a lot of room for a big salary and has a few first day draft picks that would entice the Cardinals? The Eagles better be on the horn right now hammering out a deal. The only other team rumored to be in the mix right now is the Giants, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Cowboys jumped in now that T.O. is out of town.

Please, Eagles, save this offseason and get this thing done. It will make us get over the Brian Dawkins situation a whole lot faster.

UPDATE: Cardinals GM Rod Graves is denying that Boldin is on the market. What else would you expect him to say?

Here we go again: more Boldin to the Eagles rumors

The rumor that just won't go away has resurfaced yet again. According to Peter King of Sports Illustrated, Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin will be traded by July and the Eagles are the most likely destination.

King does not give a reason why he believes Boldin will be traded, but it stems from his contract issues with the team. Simply put, Boldin wants to get paid and the Cardinals aren't willing to restructure his current contract. The relationship between the 3 time Pro Bowler and his team has gotten so bad that Boldin wants out.

According to King, the top two teams in the mix for Boldin are the Eagles and the Giants. King goes on to say that the Eagles are the frontrunners: "Philly has (draft picks) 21, 28 and 53, the Giants 29, 45 and 60. I find it hard to believe the Eagles won't trade for Boldin. Very hard. He's a perfect fit, and they've got the cap room to sign him."

As we have learned, just because the Eagles have cap room doesn't mean they are actually going to use it. The draft picks they have to offer should be enticing to the Cardinals but the Eagles have to be willing to restructure Boldin's deal and give him the money he wants.

As I have said all along, if Boldin is at all available, the Eagles have to pursue him. He is a perfect fit for the team and would be a great weapon for Donovan McNabb. Let's just hope the Cardinals are foolish enough to shop him before we start buying our Boldin jerseys.

Anquan Boldin wants a new deal by Tuesday or he wants out of Arizona

The Anquan Boldin saga continues. The disgruntled Cardinals wide receiver, who had recently softened on his demands to be traded out of Arizona, has given the Cardinals an ultimatum: give me a contract extension by Tuesday (Feb. 24) or trade me.

Boldin made this statement while being interviewed on radio station XTRA 910 in Arizona. Apparently his change of heart about wanting out of town was only for a limited time. I am not sure what the significance is of a Tuesday deadline, but presumably that would give the Cardinals enough time to trade Boldin before free agency begins, should they choose to do so.

However, according to Arizona GM Rod Graves, the Cardinals stance with Anquan Boldin hasn't changed. In a quote from an article written by Paul Domowitch for Philly.com, Graves made it pretty clear the team wasn't going to be pressured into extending Boldin's contract: "Anquan has 2 years left on his contract. We understand how he feels and we’re taking all of that into consideration. And hopefully, we’ll address it over time."

Sounds like Boldin won't get his extension before Tuesday, but Eagles fans shouldn't start buying their Boldin jerseys yet. Just because Boldin wants out doesn't mean the Cardinals are going to trade him. They may be forced to down the road, especially if Boldin continues to create problems or he chooses to hold out, but for now he is still an Arizona Cardinal.

With Drew Rosenhaus representing Boldin, it may be only a matter of time before enough things are said for Boldin to be shipped out of town. Should that happen, the Eagles better be ready and waiting to make an offer the moment Boldin goes on the market.

Bad news for the Eagles: Gross signed, Peppers tagged, Boldin willing to stay in Arizona

With free agency just over a week away, Eagles fans have been salivating at the idea of signing some of the top available talent. The Birds need help along the offensive line and at wide receiver so rumors have been running rampant over which free agents the team is targeting. Unfortunately for the Eagles, three players believed to be on the radar have now been taken off.

The Carolina Panthers had a pair of free agents, tackle Jordan Gross and defensive end Julius Peppers, and it didn't look like they would be able to keep both of them. Speculation around the league was that the Panthers would slap the franchise tag on one of the players and the other would be able to leave via free agency, possibly going to Philly. Well, the Panthers found a solution to their dilemma: they signed Gross to a 6 year contract and then subsequently franchised Peppers. Both are returning to Carolina, neither will be an Eagle.

The other hot free agent Birds fans desperately want to see in an Eagle uniform is Anquan Boldin. Boldin has been saying all offseason that he wants out of Arizona, citing unhappiness with his contract and irreparable differences with the Cardinals. The Eagles would be one of many teams that would be a likely landing spot for Boldin and they have the draft picks and the money to welcome him with open arms. There is word today, however, that Boldin has changed his mind about leaving Arizona. Now, instead of wanting out of town, Boldin is willing to stay with the Cardinals if they are willing to give him a new contract. Of course, with the team already paying Larry Fitzgerald a ton of money, there is no guarantee that the Cards will fork over top dollar for another receiver, but Boldin has taken the first step towards another season in the desert.

So, where does this leave the Eagles? For the most part, they will now probably have to rely much more on the draft that on free agency. With Gross out of the picture, the Eagles will also likely re-sign Tra Thomas. Peppers staying in Carolina doesn't affect what they will do on defense since they really don't have any major holes along the line. At wide receiver, the Eagles have publicly stated they won't pursue another wideout, but T.J. Houshmandzadeh will still be on the market and he becomes the number one free agent receiver.

None of the news that has come out today is good news. The Eagles will now need to look at less glamorous ways to shore up holes on their team. Getting Gross, Peppers or Boldin were never sure things but having them out of the picture will certainly limit the Birds options going forward. The draft now becomes that much more important for the Eagles.

Heckert: Eagles to target offensive line, not wideouts

While all the rumors about Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh coming to the Eagles are intriguing, they're only rumors unless the Birds actually do something about it. Ever since the Eagles had the T.O. experience, they have been hesitant to go out and acquire a big name free agent wide receiver. It appears that will be the case again this offseason, at least according to GM Tom Heckert.

Heckert sat down for an interview with Fox 29 and laid out the Eagles plans for the offseason. He said the number one priority for the Birds is to "figure out the offensive line situation", whether it's through the draft or free agency. The team has two aging, unsigned tackles and will need to find a way to build for the future while still protecting Donovan McNabb next season.

The only other area of need that Heckert said the team will address is at backup running back. With Correll Buckhalter likely out the door as a free agent, the Eagles will need to find someone else to get 5 touches a game when Brian Westbrook is healthy and be able to carry the load for those 2 games that Westbrook misses every year. Lorenzo Booker is not the answer for the Eagles and they know it, so I would look for them to draft a running back with one of their first round picks.

The line and the running backs were the only needs addressed by Heckert, meaning the wide receivers aren't a priority for the Eagles. Heckert even said that with the drafting of DeSean Jackson last year, the team has already gotten all the receiver help it needs. I hope you are all comfortable with another year of Jackson and Kevin Curtis as the main targets because that looks like all we are going to get.

While none of this news comes as a shock, it's still disappointing. The Eagles saw what having a top wideout did for the Cardinals and you would think they would do everything they could to give Donovan McNabb that kind of weapon. Unfortunately, they just don't view wide receivers as being as important as other positions. They are simply happy with the depth they have at wideout and aren't concerned with adding top-end targets. McNabb has proven that he can flourish no matter who he is throwing to so the Eagles feel like they don't need to waste their resources on playmakers on the outside.

None of the statements made by Heckert completely rule out the Eagles acquiring a wide receiver this offseason. Even if the Birds were going all-out in searching for a wideout, this wouldn't come out and say that was an area of need. The Eagles have always played things close to the vest so Heckert is likely not playing all of his cards in this interview. He stuck to the more obvious needs that everyone already knew about and kept any other thoughts to himself. That's just the Eagle way.

Watch the Heckert interview for yourself:

If Cardinals trade Boldin, Eagles are "frontrunners"

Two reports have come out in recent days regarding Anquan Boldin and the Eagles continuing search for a top wide receiver. The reports aren't earth-shattering, it's the typical information and misinformation we have been hearing all along.

The first report is encouraging to Birds fans. According to John Clayton of ESPN, the Eagles are the frontrunners to acquire Anquan Boldin with the Giants the next team in line. Clayton believes it would take a 1st and 3rd rounder to get Boldin, certainly a reasonable price for the Eagles since they have that extra first round pick to dangle.

The second report is not as promising. According to ProFootballTalk.com, the Cardinals have no interest in trading Boldin. Boldin is under contract for 2 more years so Arizona doesn't feel any pressure to move him right now. Despite his requests for a trade, the Cards want to hold on to the disgruntled receiver, much like the Bengals held onto to Chad Johnson despite his many trade demands. Boldin may just have to wait it out and play for his measly 2.75 million next season. He won't have any leverage to leave town unless he holds out during training camp.

So, what's the bottom line from these two reports? We don't really know anything yet. We don't know if the Cardinals will trade Boldin. We don't know what it would take to get him if they did. Just about the only thing we do know is that the Eagles should be in the mix should Boldin ever hit the market.

We'll have to continue to wait this one out. Like I said last offseason, don't hold your breath waiting for the Eagles to get a top wideout.

Eagles receiver search continues: Housh, Boldin, Holt?

The NFL offseason is barely a week old and already the Eagles rumor mill is churning with speculation that the Birds will go after one of possibly several available wide receivers. It's a rumor that never dies because it's a need that never gets filled. Kevin Curtis and DeSean Jackson are both excellent number two receivers but neither is the big possession receiver that the Eagles really need. Fans have been clamoring for a star receiver in Eagles green since last spring when Randy Moss, Roy Williams and Anquan Boldin all were rumored targets. The following three receivers are players the Eagles should be targeting this offseason:

T.J. Houshmandzadeh is the candidate who seems to be the most available and makes the most sense. Housh is a free agent who seems highly unlikely to re-sign with the crappy Bengals and is looking to join a Super Bowl contender. He has even gone so far as to come on Philadelphia radio and proclaim his interest in the Eagles. Of course, he will probably go to every city and say the same thing about every team, that's just what free agents do. Regardless, Housh's ability to make the tough catches across the middle would be the perfect complement to the speedy Curtis and Jackson. At 31, he isn't young, but how can you argue with 90+ catches the last three years? He isn't a big-play guy but he could fill the role of possession receiver that Reggie Brown will never be.

Another player who could be available is Anquan Boldin. Much has been written on this website and many others about Boldin wanting out of Arizona. He has long been unhappy with the huge contract his teammate Larry Fitzgerald has and has repeatedly said that he wants a new deal or he is leaving town. Boldin has even recently said that his relationship with the Cardinals has gotten so bad that he doesn't think it will ever be repaired. While Boldin is often injured, he is still young and would be another great target for Donovan McNabb. He would look great in the Eagles offense with his ability to make short catches and turn them into big plays with his size and speed. If he wants out of Arizona, that Eagles had better be making an offer. One possible snag is that his agent is the nefarious Drew Rosenhaus, someone the Eagles would prefer not to work with.

One last possible receiver on the Eagles radar has to be Torry Holt. The Rams are looking for some cap space and they have made it known that the former Pro Bowl receiver is available. Holt is 32 but has still averaged 83 catches over the last 3 seasons. He has certainly lost a step but he is still a solid possession receiver. The biggest issue with Holt has to be his contract. He is scheduled to make 10 million dollars next season, a price that the Eagles will be reluctant to pay for an aging veteran.

All three of the above players would be upgrades for the Eagles. While none is extremely likely to end up in Philly, you can bet that the Eagles will at least inquire about their availability. It became painfully obvious in the NFC Championship game that the Arizona Cardinals had horses on offense that the Eagles lacked. With a solid defense already in place, the Eagles have a team that looks ready to compete for the Super Bowl again next year. If they can just find one more weapon on offense for Donovan McNabb, the Birds might finally have a receiving core that would strike fear into opposing defenses.

Of course, the Eagles could easily choose to do what they do every offseason and not address the receiver position at all. Then we'll all be right back here again next year, wondering whether the Birds will finally make a move for a top receiver.

Boldin will play in the NFC Championship Game

As if there was ever really a doubt, Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who missed the NFC Divisional Round as with an injured hamstring, announced today that he will play in the NFC Championship Game against the Eagles. Boldin was nearly healthy enough to suit up against the Panthers so it was a given that he would be ready to face Philly. With Boldin back in the line-up, Arizona's aerial attack is just that much more dangerous.

Boldin's return shouldn't change the Eagles game plan too much. The Eagles would have put most of their focus on stopping the Cardinals passing game even if Boldin didn't suit up. Philly will likely try to blitz Kurt Warner like crazy and dare the Cardinals to beat them with their ground game. Edgerrin James has come on of late but there is little chance he can carry a team to the Super Bowl.

It wasn't long ago we were hoping that Anquan Boldin would join the Eagles, now we are hoping that the Eagles do everything they can to shut him down. Who knows, maybe Boldin will demand another trade out of town after the Eagles beat the Cardinals.

Anquan Boldin still demanding a trade, Eagles fans continue to dream

Okay, so I'm gonna stir up the rumor pot again. Way back in March, I speculated about the possibility of Anquan Boldin demanding a trade from the Cardinals, citing his unhappiness with his contract for the reason he wants out. The story came on the heels of the Eagles missing out on Randy Moss, so immediately rumors flew that the Eagles would try to bring Boldin to Philly. The Cardinals publicly stated they wouldn't trade Boldin, and the story died there.

Well, fast forward to August, and the story remains the same. According to Chris Mortenson of ESPN, Anquan Boldin still wants to be traded. Boldin will make only 2.5 million dollars this season, a number that pales to the 10 million a year his counterpart, Larry Fitzgerald, will make. Boldin isn't threatening to hold out or stop practicing or anything, he just wants to get paid.

Of course, the Cardinals still haven't put Boldin on the market, and all indications are that they won't. As long as Boldin keeps playing, Arizona has no sense of urgency to get something done. However, it's unlikely that they will step up and pay Boldin because it's not exactly feasible to have two wide receivers making 10 million dollars a year, so at some point they may be forced to trade him.

The moment that the Cardinals put him on the market, you can bet the Eagles will be the first team in line asking for Boldin's services. The Eagles made it no secret in the offseason that they were trying to bring in a top flight receiver, finally realizing what we all knew, that Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown are not number one wideouts. The Eagles also have one big trade chip, Lito Sheppard, and the Cardinals aren't exactly known as a team with a stellar secondary. The second team in line for Boldin would have to be the Cowboys, who seem interested in bringing in any star that's available.

So, to sum it all up, Boldin wants a trade out of Arizona if the Cardinals won't pay him, but the Cardinals have made it clear that they won't deal him. The Eagles would be interested, but the chances of Boldin actually being made available are slim to none. So, the while the likelihood we will see Anquan Boldin in an Eagles uniform is very small, it's still something that Eagles fans should keep an eye on.

UPDATE: Here's an article from Adam Schefter of NFL.com that outlines Boldin's issues with the Cardinals. The Cardinals have already come out and re-iterated that they won't trade Boldin, which only makes Boldin more unhappy. Hey, Cardinals, how about we trade our problem (Lito) for yours?

Eagles can ask, but Cardinals won't trade Boldin

Trade rumors have been swirling around the Eagles, and one of the names that comes up frequently is Anquan Boldin. The star receiver for the Cardinals became the subject of rumors as soon as teammate Larry Fitzgerald signed a big contract, one that made Boldin's deal look minuscule. There has speculation since that time that the Cardinals would look to deal Boldin since he would likely ask for a new contract and they couldn't afford to keep both receivers.

Enter the Eagles, who have been desperately seeking a new weapon for Donovan McNabb. Apparently the Eagles and the Redskins have both made trade offers to the Cardinals, but Arizona has not even entertained the idea of dealing Boldin. The Cardinals aren't "interested in trading Anquan," according to their General Manager Rod Graves. The Eagles apparently offered Lito Sheppard and a high draft pick, but the Cardinals flatly refused that offer.

Of course, this is exactly what the Cardinals should say, regardless of whether or not they plan on trading Boldin. There is no reason for them to announce to the league that they are willing to trade him because that would only serve to drive down his price. You can't believe everything a GM says, especially at this time of year.

The Eagles are doing there due diligence and inquiring about every available receiver, hoping that there is a team out there willing to part with one. The have a great trading chip in Lito Sheppard that could net them what they want, but the problem is, another team has to actually want to make a trade. Just because the Eagles want an elite receiver doesn't mean they are going to get one, no matter how many times they try. We can't get mad at Andy Reid for failing to bring in a receiver because he has looked into nearly every possibility out there, even when teams have no interest in making a trade. If there was a chance a trade was going to happen, this is the likely time for it, with the draft coming up this weekend.

Anquan Boldin may want a trade?

Next stop on the Eagles rumor wheel? Anquan Boldin. Now that Larry Fitzgerald has re-signed with Arizona, it appears fellow Cardinals' receiver Boldin may want out if he doesn't get his own big contract. This speculation comes from Adam Schefter of NFL Network, who says that although the Cardinals consider Boldin the better receiver, he is scheduled to make under 3 million dollars for the next two seasons. Contrast that with Fitzgerald who will be getting 10 million a year for four years, and you could see why an issue could arise. The Cardinals would not be able to pay another receiver upwards of 10 million dollars a season, so they may look to trade him. Schefter mentions that the Eagles, Cowboys and Redskins, the three teams that have been rumored for every top receiver, are possible destinations for Boldin.

Obviously Boldin would be an excellent addition to the Eagles. Just like Randy Moss and Larry Fitzgerald would have been. This time, however, I am not going to get my hopes up. The Eagles have to look into getting Boldin if he becomes available, but I would not count on it happening. Eagles fans have learned far too well how hard it is to acquire a top receiver, so don't start buying your Anquan Boldin #81 Eagles jerseys just yet.