Here's Hoping Anquan Boldin Is OK
Obviously, we all wish for the health of all the league's players. That's obvious. I write this post not because I'm overly concerned about Anquan Boldin's long term health. This isn't like the Kevin Everett tragedy in Buffalo last year. Boldin reportedly has movement and feeling in all his extremeties which is fantastic news. I write this because Boldin is having an absolutely monster year so far and it'd be a shame if he were to miss extended time.
First, the backdrop of what happened real briefly.
Late in the game, with the Cardinals trailing 56-35 and just 30 seconds or so left on the clock, Cardinals standout WR Anquan Boldin suffered a scary helmet-to-helmet collision with Jets safety Eric Smith. Some might contend that the hit was viscious by Green as the case could be made that he led with his helmet. But that's for the league to decide. Others might wonder why Cards coach Ken Whisenhunt had Boldin and others in the game. You play to win the game, sure, but you also have to protect multi-million dollar assets when there is literally no chance at your team winning the game. I'm sure Cards fans will discuss this throughout the week.
Best of luck in a speedy recovery. Sounds like he'll be ok. Now, let's take a look at what Boldin's been able to accomplish through his team's first four games. Unless you're playing in some sort of strange communist league, Boldin is the most productive fantasy WR in the game thus far in 2008.
Through four weeks, Boldin is 5th in receiving yards, 1st in receiving TDs, 6th in receptions, and through three weeks at least (not yet updated after Week 4), the top rated WR by Football Outsiders' metrics
Now, in terms of just receptions or yards, Boldin's not on pace to shatter any records or anything. If he were to keep the same pace, he'd finish with 108 catches for 1400+ yards and 20 TDs. But put together in a package, Boldin's having a tremendous statistical start to his 2008 season. How about comparing his pace (which, mind you, is not entirely unrealistic to sustain given AZ's propensity to throw the ball when Kurt Warner is the QB), to the 2007 totals of Randy Moss, who undeniably had one of the greatest single seasons of any WR in NFL history.
Moss 2007: 98 receptions, 1493 yards, 23 TDs
Again, it's early and when the weather turns, Arizona might have trouble being as proficient on offense when they head to places like New England and Philadelphia in Novemeber and December. But through one quarter of the season, Boldin has consistently put up the kind of numbers that non-Cardinals fans can and should appreciate.
Single season Receptions Leaderboard
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Anquan Boldin...
…plays with more heart than any other receiver in the NFL. That’s why he’s so good and also why he got injured. When the Cardinals were down 56 points, Boldin was the only one still playing hard. He went for the touchdown even though it didn’t mean anything.
He’s probably my favorite WR in the NFL, and I hope that he makes a speedy recovery.
by BAL_Hawk on
Sep 29, 2008 8:52 AM EDT
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sure seems like it
Havnet been able to watch him much, just see these gaudy numbers week in and week out.
Alos, that dude’s huge! Not overly tall, but strong as an ox in the lower body. Really really explosive.
by Blitzburgh on
Sep 29, 2008 8:57 AM EDT
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great player
Plays hard even with all the problems he went through trying to either be traded or get a new contract. Shows what kind of person he is to still go out and play his ass off while, in his eyes, getting little respect from the organization. Lets hope for the best.
by steelersfan4life on
Sep 29, 2008 9:09 AM EDT
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yea
Good pt about the contract stuff. I wonder how long it is till we’ll hear from C Johnson again about wanting out.
by Blitzburgh on
Sep 29, 2008 9:13 AM EDT
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Nice story Blitz
Boldin is the fan favorite in AZ and if he were playing for a team that gets more publicity, he’d be a household name. No player in the league plays with more heart and desire than Q and he’s actually pretty comparable to Hines. They’re both gutsy players who excel in areas that are often overlooked (blocking, leadership etc) and they get the most out of their athletic ability.
As for his injury status, he did get out of the hospital last night even though they initially thought that he would have to stay overnight. According to all reports, he wanted to get up and walk off the field. He was alert and able to move his extremities, but they carted him off to be cautious. It certainly looked bad at the time but it sounds like he’ll make a full recovery and might even be able to play this week.
by cgolden on
Sep 29, 2008 12:17 PM EDT
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