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So today was one of those days where I was “throwing noodles at the wall”, seeing what would stick. What stuck was a story of a certain Baltimore Ravens’ QB sticking it to his team after winning the Super Bowl and the fallout it caused. One casualty in the fallout was Anquan Boldin.
All about the benjamins…
Sure, when view the contract for that year (2013), Joe Flacco’s deal worked out just fine for both sides. Joe got his 120.6 million dollars and Ozzie Newsome kept Flacco’s cap number for that year under 10 million. However, the team was dismantled. The key aggressive cog was gone; Boldin could have been the muscle behind a third Lombardi for the team. Ozzie however, was all about saving cap space, not realizing the worth of the aggressive play-style of “Q”, even in his old age.
It’s not all on you Ozzie
Ozzie is not the only one at fault here. John Harbaugh had an agenda that year. Anyone with a leadership mentality had to go after that Super Bowl win. Do I have proof? No, but take a look at the mass exodus out of Baltimore after.
Ray Lewis – Retired
Ed Reed – Houston Texans
Bernard Pollard – Tennessee Titans
Anquan Boldin – San Francisco 49ers
Cary Williams – Philadelphia Eagles
Dannell Ellerbe – Miami Dolphins
Paul Kruger – Cleveland Browns
I mentioned these names in particular because this was every player that led in some way or another on the field and in the locker-room. They had star power and had a large influence of the team that could even rival Harbaugh’s authority. Of course he had to send them all packing, especially the guy who has had a history of fighting with coaches.
With nasty talent comes nasty attitudes
In 2008 before the SB, Boldin had a run-in with then Arizona Cardinals’ Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley. Later, according to an article from the associated press his words were:
“The attention has grown,” Boldin said. “Do you have to be
careful? I guess so, but at the same time you can’t alter who you
are. You can only be you and let the rest take care of itself.”
This was over 7 years ago now, and Boldin still has that same nasty personality. He is still fighting with players and coaches on the sidelines and I am of the opinion that John wanted to assert himself as the face of the Ravens, by getting anyone with combative personality or a backbone out of the organization at that time.
Numbers don’t lie
Let’s take a look back how this hurt them. We’ll look at the WR numbers for the 2013 season where the team was an absolute disaster. The WR corps was headed up by Torrey Smith, Jacoby Jones and Marlon Brown? There was not one aggressive word in the last sentence.
19 total receiving TDs are all the team could muster that year (25th ranked). The black and purple gave up 23 interceptions on the season. Baltimore even ranked 28th in football in first down percentages. These numbers are sparking my PTSD, making me want to throw something at a TV, and it’s not even football season!
Wishful thinking
The aforementioned categories were all areas “Q” excelled in. He fights for position, lowering interception possibilities. He managed eight TDs in 2012 alone for the team (team – 32 receiving TDs).
With Quan there, it was just all around easier to spread the ball for Flacco. Sure, I’m harping on the past but imagine what would have happened had he been there in 2013. Harbaugh already had it in his mind that this was going to be a more aerial offensive minded team. I mean why else have Flacco throwing above 50 attempts a game? With Boldin there, drives would have been extended, games could have been won and yes with a bit of luck and maybe another bozo play from Pete Carroll, we could have been back-to-back SB champs. Yes it is wishful thinking but I truly believe if Anquan Boldin doesn’t get sent to San Fran, the Ravens would have at least made the playoffs that year.
Now he’s back on the market and only getting calls from the Washington Redskins? You have to wonder if there is a chance he could finish back in Baltimore? Ravensnation sound off! What are your thoughts?
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Jermaine Lockett is a Writer and CEO for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Facebook or twitter.
