A. Boldin

[tarheelpride]

Boldin for Peppers would be an outstanding trade. Here's why:

1) First off, I completely agree the defense by far needs more work than the offense. However, I really don't know any high caliber defensive players that a team would be willing to part with for a guy like Peppers with questionable work effort. Peppers works out in Phoenix in the offseason though, so I presume he would be cool with going there. To trade for a high-caliber player(s), we are going to have to find someone who who wants out.

2) Much like Peppers, I truly don't believe Boldin will go back to Arizona, Superbowl or not. The coaching staff is obviously sending him a message by keeping him off the field the final few plays in the NFC Championship Game. That message is they don't need him- or really want him. Boldin is one of the few high-caliber, proven players we might could trade for. I am in the camp that a 1st round pick may not be possible now that Pepper's agent has said what he did.

3) I love Moose, but even though he is still a decent possesion receiver and a hell of a blocker, he does not at this point represent a true down the field threat. I don't know why we can't incorporate more 3 (or 4) receiver sets if we have the receivers to pull it off. Some teams are better at stopping the run, some play better coverage, but few could match up with our 2 tight end sets with Double Trouble and then substituting to cover 4 good receivers.

4) Dwayne Jarrett may develop into a good possesion, move the chains receiver, but he doesn't have top-end speed at the NFL level. I believe he can be an adequate replacement for Moose, but it's still to be determined. Jarrett has a place, but it would be great to have 2 receivers with top-end speed.

5) DJ Hackett just didn't work out here. I think it was a combination of injuries, lack of chemistry with Delhomme, etc,, but I doubt he'll be back.

6) Given that Peppers will be gone, adding Boldin would add not only a lot to our offense but also to our star power. Losing Peppers is a big hit to that. On one hand I don't really buy into having a lot of stars, but I do like seeing my team getting some national exposure. Adding Boldin would give us one hell of an offense, the kind that gets national attention (and games) like the Saints. Like it or not, explosive offenses are usually what get small market teams recognition during the regular season.

7) Boldin is going to want some of the spotlight, but so what. It will push Smitty harder. Smitty still had a great season in 2006 when Keyshawn was here. I love Smitty, but as this year proved, the Panthers offense doesn't have to be a one-trick pony. In reality, when other teams reduce us to that (or Jake tries to force it to be) like during the 2005 NFC Championship Game or the Arizona game, it rarely ends up good.

8) Final point, we are going to need to replicate or even exceed the offensive output of this year to be successful next year. We are going to have to put up a ton of points to help our defense. Hopefully I am wrong, but I can't see us losing Peppers, keeping the same scheme, and doing better on defense next year.

Rebuilding our defense is important, but I think we are going to have to mostly do that with the draft because I don't think there are going to be high profile defensive players we can get through free agency.

agreed.

[beastson]

Hmm I like your take at the end Joe

But before we think about getting Boldin, this coaching staff have to commit to throwing the ball. We have to commit to a balance offense. And not just the same playaction, with 2 WR. We have to use shotgun more and spread the ball around so teams can be off to where the ball is going

Its nothing more dangerous than having Smith on your team and throwing to other people that can make plays

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Boldin doesn't want to be a second receiver, and he would have to be because he aint better than steve smith. So i say no. I want the panthers to franchise julius peppers then trade tag for tag, and get matt cassell from the patriots. Tag for tag peps for cassell!!!

[joethoma]

Its nothing more dangerous than having Smith on your team and throwing to other people that can make plays

Agreed- I don't think there is a team out there that could defend Double Trouble, Smitty, and another game-breaking receiver

[pstall]

If Boldin goes to the eagles and they keep MCRibb then Phili will win the Super Bowl next year

2k says they don't. :ihih:

[top dawg]

There's a big difference in your Smith analogy. Smith is our #1; Boldin is their #2. I couldn't see Moose getting heated over being sat out if he's coming off an injury, regardless of how crucial the drive is.

Naturally, that comparison should be taken with a grain of salt. I still don't see Boldin as being a match for our locker room in any way, shape, or form.

I thought of that, but Boldin is more talented than Moose. Boldin is arguably more talented than Fitz. Before he was hurt last year and this year, he was putting up better numbers than Fitz or Smith to be honest, so comparing him to Moose is somewhat of a stretch. There is probably no other coach in the NFL who is going to have Boldin on the bench when the game is on the line.

[Udogg]

It doesn't matter who else we get at receiver as long as Jake is at quarterback. We need to focus on the D.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Udogg is right I would trade Peppers for Cassell and draft a DE in the second round of the draft.

[tarheelpride]

Hmm I like your take at the end Joe

But before we think about getting Boldin, this coaching staff have to commit to throwing the ball. We have to commit to a balance offense. And not just the same playaction, with 2 WR. We have to use shotgun more and spread the ball around so teams can be off to where the ball is going

Its nothing more dangerous than having Smith on your team and throwing to other people that can make plays

when i look at muhammad's production as the number 2, i think boldin would thrive. It all hinges on the QB. if we had a more consistent QB, both receivers would have easily had over 1,000 yards and 80 catches. We have the system, we just need to change the parts. boldin and smitty + running game + consistent QB = methodical offense

[top dawg]

I may need to check the game stats, but I don't remember Boldin being at all implemental in winning the game. It's one thing to be upset that your team isn't using you on a crucial drive -- set aside his importance or unimportance to the team -- it's another entirely to confront your coordinator about it, and still more unacceptable to storm out of the stadium after the game.

Treating this as an "isolated incident" is foolish. It is a sign of a player with an unchecked ego, and remind me how many of those players have done well in Carolina. It's a very short list, and I doubt that we'll add to it next season. I know you guys are willing to set principles aside if it means winning games, but that's the first step to turning into a mess of a franchise. That's what has the Dallas Cowboys looking like a bunch of clowns in front of the entire NFL, and it's the last thing I want for the Panthers.

Maybe I'm attacking a straw man, but I don't like this infatuation some of our fans have with lazy or unprincipled players (see Julius Peppers). It's a real blow to the players that work hard and deserve that praise (see Steve Smith and DeAngelo Williams).

Boldin may be able to give us the offense of our wildest dreams, but with the running game receiving so much national praise and our quarterback playing inconsistently, I would bet my bottom dollar that he'd be yet another high profile, disgruntled ex-Panther with a few years under his belt in our system. Are we so quick to forget?

These things build up and build up until eventually, you've got the hushed reputation of being a team operated by humble, well-intentioned losers that lack the spine to win it all. Hell, we've just nearly reached that mark with this season's close and Fox's refusal to address anything in a passionate or even interested manner. Boldin is not the solution to any problems the Panthers may have, and the risk of bringing him to Carolina far outweighs the reward if you ask me. Of course, no one asked me, but I'll share my opinion none the less.

I understand your position, though I don't understand how anyone can say that Pep is lazy or unprincipled. Perhaps I've missed something, but Pep has only has one bad year (which he was reportedly sick). Other than that I have seen him work his tail off, not to mentioned being switched from his natural side. As for Boldin, if you want to say that he is a problem for arguing with his coordinator because of being on the sidelines while the game is on the line, then that's your opinion. This still doesn't invalidate the fact that he is a great talent at wide receiver. He is a multi-Pro Bowler, has been rookie of the year, played with wires in his jaw, and is undoubtedly a hard worker. Before he was hurt, Boldin was on fire, had lots of yards (and still does), and had more TDs than any receiver in the league. Perhaps he would be a cancer in the locker room, but we're not talking T.O. In my opinion Boldin has never been known as a "problem" player. He just wants to be appreciated for his hard work and contributions. For that reason alone, he may not want to come to Carolina...But, Smitty on one side, and Boldin on the other would be hell for any defense.

Again, I raised my eyes when Hightower was named the starter this past season, and I also raised my eyes when Boldin was on the sidelines for most of the plays during their last drive. Fitzgerald is the flavor of the month due to his great post season (and perhaps deservedly so), and Steve Breaston has developed into a quality receiver, but without Boldin the Cardinals would not be where they are today. He's not a receiver to be sidelined when the game is on the line. It's just stupid. The Cards eeked out a victory against the Eagles, but if Wisenhunt and company sits Boldin out for the Lion's share of any important drive against the Steelers, then the Cards will lessen what hope they have of winning.

[cardsfanmd]

I sense the next Alvin Harper in the making.

He sometimes disappears in a pass happy offense, with that said and the history of this team, we might as well keep Jarret and Hackett for alot less money.

These are both tremendously ridiculous posts. Boldin actually has the better numbers over Fitz in most categories. He was also torching the NFL while Fitz was still in college. I wouldn't say that 11 TDs this year in 14 games is disappearing either. Alvin Harper couldn't hold Q's jock.

[The Link]

Man, when we get Boldin, Haynesworth, Asomugha, Houshmandzadeh and The Golden Calf of Bristol, we're gonna be sick!

That would be the sh*t.

[RSXNova]

Peppers and McCown

for

Boldin and Lienart

[cardsfanmd]

You guys really need some insider perspective here so let me help you out.

Throughout Boldin's career he has been the unquestioned leader and hardest worker on this Cardinal team. Nobody spends more time in film and weight rooms as him. He works hard to help rooks and Fitzgerald would be the first to tell you that. The guy takes great care of his body and doesn't drink, smoke or party.

This is the toughest player in the league IMO. Last year he fractured his hip and tore his hip flexor in week three against Baltimore. He missed a few games and was back to finish the season. This year he broke 8 bones in his face, had 7 plates and 40 screws put in, refused ALL pain meds and missed only 2 games!!!!! The man is the furthest thing from soft or lazy that you will ever see.

Put him outside with Moose and you will have the best pair of blocking WRs ever assembled. He puts LBs on their backs all day. Put him in the slot with Moose and Smith on the outside and you have it all. A possession receiver for the fade, a burner to stretch and a devistatingly strong beast who LOVES going across the middle.

Boldin is mad because the team didn't redo his contract last year, and I kinda get that. The problem is that the Cards have given him two new deals already. You cannot expect a team to give you 3 new deals in 5 years, cause it just aint gonna happen. If that is what he wanted he should have never asked for any longterm deals and just stayed year by year. At the same time, Boldin has given everything he has to this team and our pathetic GM Rod Graves screwed him and lied to the guy over the offseason. Q has made no bones about the fact that he wants out of Arizona, so why they expect smiles out of him is beyond me. In the end, I think courtesy of Drew F---ing Rosenhous, Q is looking like the next Ocho Cinco.

Q has been my favorite player in the world for a long time, but I knew after the Fitz deal that he would be gone this offseason, so hopefully we get someone awesome with the 1st and 2nd rounder that we will get for him.