The Arizona Cardinals traded three-time Pro Bowler Anquan Boldin to the Ravens for third- and fourth-round picks in this year's draft.
AP
A daily recap of the Dan Patrick Show ...
Q & A with Anquan Boldin
DP:How's Baltimore? AB: Baltimore is good. I'm glad to be here.
DP:What other teams were interested in trading for you? AB: Atlanta was one of them. Miami was one of them. Kansas City, New England and Baltimore. In the end Baltimore seemed to want me the most.
DP:Did you have any power over where you were headed? AB: That was one thing that was a concern at the beginning when we felt like I would be traded. I think my agents did a good job relaying to the Cardinals what exactly we were looking for in a team. ... At this point of my career, I wanted to go somewhere where I could win and feel comfortable. But when it came down to compensation for me, that was out of my hands. That was up to the Cardinals and the teams they were dealing with.
DP:If Kurt Warner was still the quarterback in Arizona, would you be in Baltimore? AB: Ya, I think so. Kurt not being with the Cardinals next year didn't have anything to do with my situation. Although Kurt's a dear friend of mine, I love playing with him. As well as Matt. I played with Matt for a number of years. I actually went to a Pro Bowl with Matt as my starting quarterback. The guy under center had nothing to do with me being in Baltimore.
DP:When Larry Fitzgerald got his deal, how did that impact you and your future in Arizona? AB: I was happy to see Larry get his deal, because I think he earned every penny. That contract, from my standpoint, had no bearing on my situation. My situation was completely different. I was promised something that was never delivered upon. Although I felt like I sacrificed from my previous deal, told them I would take less, went out and helped recruit. In return I was promised something, and like I said it was never delivered upon.
DP:What were you promised? AB: I was actually promised a new deal several times. There were several times I was promised negotiation talks. When we did get to them, I got the run-around -- 'We're not in the office or we'll get back to this later.' Just never a genuine offer. When we did get an offer, it was pretty much a slap in the face.
DP:Do you feel like Cardinals management is more concerned with money or winning? AB: If you look from the outside, it's hard to say they're going out to win instead of saving money. But honestly, I'm not in the meetings. I don't know the thoughts behind keeping certain guys and bringing in other guys in free agency.
DP:When did you first talk to [Ravens QB] Joe Flacco? AB: This past Saturday. We both participated in Kurt [Warner]'s charity event. From talking to him, he seems like a great kid. Seems like a humble kid. Seems like he's willing to learn.
DP:Did you tell him you were already open? AB: Haha. Hopefully I won't have to tell him that. He'll see that for himself.
DP:How concerned are you with the number of touches you're going to get in Baltimore? AB: I'm not concerned with that at all. In looking at a team, that's one thing that I wanted. A team that plays great defense. A team that runs the ball well, with a good, young quarterback. I think Baltimore fits that to a tee. Whenever you have a team that runs the ball as well as they do, you're going to see eight-man boxes. Which means you'll get single coverage outside.
DP:Did you talk to Ray Lewis yet? AB: Oh yeah. First thing he said was 'it's in Dallas this year.' Me and him are on the same page.
DP:So he was saying the Super Bowl is in Dallas? AB: Definitely. That's our goal.
DP:Is Matt Leinart the right guy to lead the Cardinals? AB: I think so. I think Matt has all the capabilities. Like I said, I've played with Matt when he was a starter. I think he did a great job, especially as a rookie. I think he's progressed over the years. Definitely if given the opportunity, he can succeed.
DP:Considering what Ben Roethlisberger is going through, how careful do you have to be when you go out? AB: In the position we're in, you definitely have to be careful. Myself, I try to stay away as much as possible because of situations like that. Being a professional athlete, there are going to be people after you. A lot of times you really don't have to do anything. But you are a target. Any time you go out, especially if you're going out to a club or a party, you definitely have to be careful. You have to surround yourself with people who have your best interest in mind.
Quote of the Day
"I couldn't hit Jamie Moyer when I played against him, so why would I be able to do it now?" -- Angels manager Mike Scioscia on whether he could get a hit off Moyer right now.
Quote of the Day II
"I've got to take myself." -- Former Syracuse quarterback Greg Paulus on who he would draft first, him or Tim Tebow.
From the Locker Room
Missives from the DP.com chat room ...
The Caps, Wings, Kings, Hawks all play "olympic" style hockey. With the cap, owners aren't/can't hold untalented thugs. | toddbo
Keselowski is a young driver that drives no more agressive than Kyle Busch does. All these young driver get the bad driver wrap. Tony Stewart got, Jimmie Johnson got it. THey all get it untill they win a race or two | jspencerg
I dont blame Edwards for wrecking keslowski, keslowski has taken out several drivers over a year, he deserved a little run in with the wall to smarten him up. | texans08
Loved to watch Gretzky and I'm not debating greatness here, but Ovechkin will bring you out of your seat more times in his career than Gretzky ever could. | toddbo
DP Show Daily: Boldin says Cardinals broke promises
A daily recap of the Dan Patrick Show ...
Q & A with Anquan Boldin
DP: How's Baltimore?
AB: Baltimore is good. I'm glad to be here.
DP: What other teams were interested in trading for you?
AB: Atlanta was one of them. Miami was one of them. Kansas City, New England and Baltimore. In the end Baltimore seemed to want me the most.
DP: Did you have any power over where you were headed?
AB: That was one thing that was a concern at the beginning when we felt like I would be traded. I think my agents did a good job relaying to the Cardinals what exactly we were looking for in a team. ... At this point of my career, I wanted to go somewhere where I could win and feel comfortable. But when it came down to compensation for me, that was out of my hands. That was up to the Cardinals and the teams they were dealing with.
DP: If Kurt Warner was still the quarterback in Arizona, would you be in Baltimore?
AB: Ya, I think so. Kurt not being with the Cardinals next year didn't have anything to do with my situation. Although Kurt's a dear friend of mine, I love playing with him. As well as Matt. I played with Matt for a number of years. I actually went to a Pro Bowl with Matt as my starting quarterback. The guy under center had nothing to do with me being in Baltimore.
DP: When Larry Fitzgerald got his deal, how did that impact you and your future in Arizona?
AB: I was happy to see Larry get his deal, because I think he earned every penny. That contract, from my standpoint, had no bearing on my situation. My situation was completely different. I was promised something that was never delivered upon. Although I felt like I sacrificed from my previous deal, told them I would take less, went out and helped recruit. In return I was promised something, and like I said it was never delivered upon.
DP: What were you promised?
AB: I was actually promised a new deal several times. There were several times I was promised negotiation talks. When we did get to them, I got the run-around -- 'We're not in the office or we'll get back to this later.' Just never a genuine offer. When we did get an offer, it was pretty much a slap in the face.
DP: Do you feel like Cardinals management is more concerned with money or winning?
AB: If you look from the outside, it's hard to say they're going out to win instead of saving money. But honestly, I'm not in the meetings. I don't know the thoughts behind keeping certain guys and bringing in other guys in free agency.
DP: When did you first talk to [Ravens QB] Joe Flacco?
AB: This past Saturday. We both participated in Kurt [Warner]'s charity event. From talking to him, he seems like a great kid. Seems like a humble kid. Seems like he's willing to learn.
DP: Did you tell him you were already open?
AB: Haha. Hopefully I won't have to tell him that. He'll see that for himself.
DP: How concerned are you with the number of touches you're going to get in Baltimore?
AB: I'm not concerned with that at all. In looking at a team, that's one thing that I wanted. A team that plays great defense. A team that runs the ball well, with a good, young quarterback. I think Baltimore fits that to a tee. Whenever you have a team that runs the ball as well as they do, you're going to see eight-man boxes. Which means you'll get single coverage outside.
DP: Did you talk to Ray Lewis yet?
AB: Oh yeah. First thing he said was 'it's in Dallas this year.' Me and him are on the same page.
DP: So he was saying the Super Bowl is in Dallas?
AB: Definitely. That's our goal.
DP: Is Matt Leinart the right guy to lead the Cardinals?
AB: I think so. I think Matt has all the capabilities. Like I said, I've played with Matt when he was a starter. I think he did a great job, especially as a rookie. I think he's progressed over the years. Definitely if given the opportunity, he can succeed.
DP: Considering what Ben Roethlisberger is going through, how careful do you have to be when you go out?
AB: In the position we're in, you definitely have to be careful. Myself, I try to stay away as much as possible because of situations like that. Being a professional athlete, there are going to be people after you. A lot of times you really don't have to do anything. But you are a target. Any time you go out, especially if you're going out to a club or a party, you definitely have to be careful. You have to surround yourself with people who have your best interest in mind.
Quote of the Day
"I couldn't hit Jamie Moyer when I played against him, so why would I be able to do it now?" -- Angels manager Mike Scioscia on whether he could get a hit off Moyer right now.
Quote of the Day II
"I've got to take myself." -- Former Syracuse quarterback Greg Paulus on who he would draft first, him or Tim Tebow.
From the Locker Room
Missives from the DP.com chat room ...
The Caps, Wings, Kings, Hawks all play "olympic" style hockey. With the cap, owners aren't/can't hold untalented thugs. | toddbo
Keselowski is a young driver that drives no more agressive than Kyle Busch does. All these young driver get the bad driver wrap. Tony Stewart got, Jimmie Johnson got it. THey all get it untill they win a race or two | jspencerg
I dont blame Edwards for wrecking keslowski, keslowski has taken out several drivers over a year, he deserved a little run in with the wall to smarten him up. | texans08
Loved to watch Gretzky and I'm not debating greatness here, but Ovechkin will bring you out of your seat more times in his career than Gretzky ever could. | toddbo