Is Boldin Best Fit For Eagles?

Its the off season, so it is that time of the year again: the time of year when Eagles fans get their hopes up for a number 1 receiver.

Remember last summer, all of the talk about LarryFitzgerald and Randy Moss? How the Eagles were in "serious negotiations" with the Cardinals, and how Andy Reid talked to Moss on the phone trying to get him to come here?

Well, this summer's name will be Anquan Boldin. For the same reason Fitzgerald was supposidly avaible last summer, Boldin is this summer. Many say that the Cardinals will not pay Boldin the same amount at Fitzgerald, and that they are not willing to invest so much money into one position.

Also, Boldin is extremely unhappy in Arizona. He has repeatedly said that he wants traded, and that he will not sign a new contract with the Cardinals, because they have disrespected him. All of this has led people to believe that he is available, and that, surprise, the Eagles are the front runners.

John Clayton of ESPN said that the Eagles are the favorite to land Boldin, givin that they have 2 first round picks, and both of them are higher then the Giants picks (who are also reportedly interested.)

If I were the Eagles, I would trade a first round pick for Boldin in a heart beat. Boldin is a tough, physical player, something the Eagles lack from their wide out group, other then Jason Avant, who is no Boldin. I would also give up 2 first round picks if it ment blocking him from going to the Giants.

Boldin is one of the premier recievers in the league, and last season totaled 89 catches, 1038 yards, and 11 touchdowns despite only playing in 12 games. He missed 4 games in the season due to a vicscious hit he took in a game against the Jets, and required surgery on his face. Boldin is probaly the most physical, touch receiver in the game other then Hines Ward.

So will Boldin end up an Eagle?

The obvious, based on history answer is no. Since the Eagles drafted Donovan McNabb, they have only tried to pair him with a top notch receiver once- Terrell Owens. While no one can dispute that he was great while he was here, the Eagles will be weary of going back down that road. Boldin does not have the attitude of TO, but Owens has to creep into the Eagles heads when they think about this move.

There is one reason tho, I think a deal might be able to get done. The Eagles do have 2 first round picks this year, and I don't think the Eagles will want to pay big money to 2 first round selections. Chances of them trading one of those 2 picks are high. So one of their first round picks are available. If the Cardinals come to them, and say they want a first round pick, coupled with a lower round pick or a player, I think the Eagles do it. If they are going to financially commit to McNabb (which I think they will, like they did with Westbrook last season), then they are committing to winning now. Boldin helps them do that.

There have been talks that the Cardinals will look for something similar to what the Cowboys gave up for Roy Williams- 1rst, 3rd, 6th, and 7th round pick. The Eagles, along with any other team in the league, would not do that. One bad trade by a bad manager (Jerry Jones) does not make that the precident.

In part 1 of my Eagles Off Season Preview, I said that out of all the wideouts supposidly available (TJ, Burress, C. Johnson, Boldin), Johnson was the one I wanted. My reasoning was this- he will cost less, and will bring a swag to them team.

However, that does not mean I do not want Boldin.

In alot of ways, on the field, he would be a better fit for this team. With DeSean Jackson and Kevin Curtis, the Ealges have two big down the field threats. While Johnson is very skilled, he is the same type of player. Boldin will add a dimension- an over the middle, tough to bring down- that the Eagles lack right now.

Many people want the Eagles to bring in a tall wideout, and I agree. A big wideout in the redzone would help this team alot. But unless the Eagles want to bring in Plaxico Burress, which I'm almost sure they do not, the best option out their is Reggie Williams, who is 6'4. Rich Hoffman brought this up in a recent column, and I agree with him.

TJ Housmanzadeh is not what the Eagles need. He is not tall enough, he is older then Boldin, and has never proven he can be a number 1.

While signing Williams would be a nice move, it would be just that- a nice move. It would not make a big difference in the team. He would not sky rocket expectations.

That is why I think the Eagles should bring in Tony Gonzalez for a red zone precense, and bring the best wide out, not the tallest.

Obviously, that does not mean it will happen. The Cardinals have been sted fast in saying that Boldin signed a contract, and he will live up to it. If I'm the Eagles, and I get an offer from a team for a top flight wide out now (say the Bengals call and offer Johnson for a 1rst), I do it. I don't wait to see how this long stand off between Boldin and the team end ups.

But if I was offered both players at the same time, for the same price (a 1rst and another small piece), I take Boldin.