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Player Spotlight: Anquan Boldin (1 Viewer)

Jason Wood

Jason Wood

Zoo York
2007 Player Spotlight Series

Over the course of the offseason, we will be evaluating a multitude of players at every fantasy position. One such way we go about that is through the Player Spotlight series. Think of the Spotlights as a permanent record on some of the more intriguing players for the upcoming season. Each Spotlight will be featured in an article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Anquan Boldin, WR, Arizona Cardinals

Player Page Link: Anquan Boldin Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide sustainable value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsBest of Luck and ENJOY!

 
Little Big Head said:
I think he will be solid but not spectacular
Click to expand...
I agree with that sentiment.94 catches. 1170 yards. 6 TDs.Leinarts top option on the "must move the chains" situations.Fitzgerald will get more of the "lets try and get a big one" passes.This should land Boldin right about #11. Which is amost as low as he can go - a 80/1000/4 basement.With ceiling room to move into the middle of the tier 1 WRs, if he can manage a few more scores (9+).
 
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Boldin is an undervalued WR heading into the 2007 season. In a situation reasonably similar to that of TJ Houshmendzadeh, Boldin is assumed to be the WR2 behind the high profile name, Larry Fitzgerald, but there is a high amount of credibility to the assertion that Boldin will end up as the Cardinal's WR1, especially when one examines the statistical record. With a variety of quarterbacks, Fitz has only 1 season with more than 69 catches and 1000 yards, while Boldin has had 3. Boldin has the ability to explode after the catch and create big plays, and he will produce more consistantly as Lynart himself develops.

94/1175/9

Edit to add: Last year, Boldin had almost 50 more targets than Fitz. Even with Fitz missing a game or two for injury, that's significant.

 
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Rev said:
Boldin is an undervalued WR heading into the 2007 season. In a situation reasonably similar to that of TJ Houshmendzadeh, Boldin is assumed to be the WR2 behind the high profile name, Larry Fitzgerald, but there is a high amount of credibility to the assertion that Boldin will end up as the Cardinal's WR1, especially when one examines the statistical record. With a variety of quarterbacks, Fitz has only 1 season with more than 69 catches and 1000 yards, while Boldin has had 3. Boldin has the ability to explode after the catch and create big plays, and he will produce more consistantly as Lynart himself develops. 94/1175/9
Click to expand...
This perfectly sums up my thoughts. I see him this year around 1100 yards and 10 TD's.
 
He's a physical freak. He's virtually impossible to jam at the line of scrimmage, runs groute routes and makes plays after the catch. The one knock on him is the lack of tds from last year.

If Leinart proves above average this year, Boldin should explode. 1400+ ifrom Mccown and Warner who combined for 20 tds and 20 ints is very impressive. I think Leinart has to be better than that.

Now obviously, the presence of a legit running game will prevent 100 catches for 1500 yards, but not by a ton.

88 receptions

1296 yards

9 tds.

 
I love Boldin but last year he was drafted as a WR1 but didnt perform as one. The simple fact is Fitz is the much better redzone threat. That wont stop Boldin from putting up phenomenal numbers but Boldin will have to rely on the run after the catch to score his TDs which he is probably one of the best in the game at.

90 rec, 1200 yds, 6 tds

 
[start broken record]

This just in . . . Arizona migrating to a run heavy offense. Adjust your projections accordingly.

[end broken record]

 
David Yudkin said:
[start broken record]This just in . . . Arizona migrating to a run heavy offense. Adjust your projections accordingly.[end broken record]
Click to expand...
I'll admit to being one of the guys who needed to hear your broken record repeatedly before it started to really sink in.While I still don't think Arizona can just immediately change to the Pittsburgh offense (for one thing even though Pittsburgh made the transition very quickly I think a lot of that was due to the fact that they already had most of the correct personnel for a run heavy offense), I do think they will pass significantly fewer times than the previous two seasons. I personaly believe that Boldin is going to take the brunt of the hit as far as fantasy numbers go.~70 Receptions900 - 1000 Yards5 Touchdowns
 
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Jon_Moore said:
He's a physical freak. He's virtually impossible to jam at the line of scrimmage, runs groute routes and makes plays after the catch. The one knock on him is the lack of tds from last year.

If Leinart proves above average this year, Boldin should explode. 1400+ ifrom Mccown and Warner who combined for 20 tds and 20 ints is very impressive. I think Leinart has to be better than that.

Now obviously, the presence of a legit running game will prevent 100 catches for 1500 yards, but not by a ton.

88 receptions

1296 yards

9 tds.
Click to expand...
Why did you look at 2 years ago and not last year? He played with Leinart last year, I think looking at last year makes a little more sense.
 
Hammerage said:
Rev said:
Boldin is an undervalued WR heading into the 2007 season. In a situation reasonably similar to that of TJ Houshmendzadeh, Boldin is assumed to be the WR2 behind the high profile name, Larry Fitzgerald, but there is a high amount of credibility to the assertion that Boldin will end up as the Cardinal's WR1, especially when one examines the statistical record. With a variety of quarterbacks, Fitz has only 1 season with more than 69 catches and 1000 yards, while Boldin has had 3. Boldin has the ability to explode after the catch and create big plays, and he will produce more consistantly as Lynart himself develops. 94/1175/9
Click to expand...
This perfectly sums up my thoughts. I see him this year around 1100 yards and 10 TD's.
Click to expand...
I agree with both of you also.Boldin is as much the #1 WR in Arizona as LF and his numbers are only going to go up as Leinart matures.
 
The Scientist said:
Jon_Moore said:
He's a physical freak. He's virtually impossible to jam at the line of scrimmage, runs groute routes and makes plays after the catch. The one knock on him is the lack of tds from last year.

If Leinart proves above average this year, Boldin should explode. 1400+ ifrom Mccown and Warner who combined for 20 tds and 20 ints is very impressive. I think Leinart has to be better than that.

Now obviously, the presence of a legit running game will prevent 100 catches for 1500 yards, but not by a ton.

88 receptions

1296 yards

9 tds.
Click to expand...
Why did you look at 2 years ago and not last year? He played with Leinart last year, I think looking at last year makes a little more sense.
Click to expand...
Just to point out the feat. 1400 from an offense that threw as many tds as ints. I'm sure you'll agree Leinart will be more efficient than that.
 
As a Boldin dynasty owner, let me first say that I am enjoying most all of the projetions here!

I like Boldin because he (1) performed from the get-go as a rookie, (2) is an athlete that can get open, catch the ball, and run after the catch, (3) is teamed with an up and coming QB.

A quick review of his stats:

03 - 16 gms 165 targets 101 catches 1377 yards (13.6 ypc) 8 TDs WR 4

04 - 10 gms 102 targets 56 catches 623 yards (11.1 ypc) 1 TDs WR 59

05 - 14 gms 171 targets 102 catches 1402 yards (13.7 ypc) 7 TDs WR 8

06 - 16 gms 152 targets 83 catches 1203 yards (14.5 ypc) 4 TDs WR 17

When evaluating fantasy potential, the key ingredients are talent and opportunity. Over Anquan Boldin's career, there has been a dynamic match-up of talent and opportunity. If he can just stay on the field, he is a dynamite player. A lot has been said this summer about the Cardinals stressing the run and I believe that they will try. But, if they are successful, it could open up the passing game more. If they continue to be unsuccessful, they will likely revert to what has been productive for their players which is to pass the ball.

I think that Boldin is a key ingredient on winning fantasy teams in 07,

Anquan Boldin 150 targets 92 catches 1306 yards (14.2 ypc) 7 TDs

 
David Yudkin said:
[start broken record]This just in . . . Arizona migrating to a run heavy offense. Adjust your projections accordingly.[end broken record]
Click to expand...
Errr, run heavy? No. Balanced....yes.If you look at the Steelers from 2004 to 2006 they ran the ball less every year...as Toothlesberger got more comfortable in the NFL and Whiz could trust him more. I think the goal will be a very balanced offense, not necessarily running MORE, but running more effectively than last year.
 
Card Trader said:
David Yudkin said:
[start broken record]

This just in . . . Arizona migrating to a run heavy offense. Adjust your projections accordingly.

[end broken record]
Click to expand...
Errr, run heavy? No. Balanced....yes.If you look at the Steelers from 2004 to 2006 they ran the ball less every year...as Toothlesberger got more comfortable in the NFL and Whiz could trust him more. I think the goal will be a very balanced offense, not necessarily running MORE, but running more effectively than last year.
Click to expand...
:(
 
The Scientist said:
Jon_Moore said:
He's a physical freak. He's virtually impossible to jam at the line of scrimmage, runs groute routes and makes plays after the catch. The one knock on him is the lack of tds from last year.

If Leinart proves above average this year, Boldin should explode. 1400+ ifrom Mccown and Warner who combined for 20 tds and 20 ints is very impressive. I think Leinart has to be better than that.

Now obviously, the presence of a legit running game will prevent 100 catches for 1500 yards, but not by a ton.

88 receptions

1296 yards

9 tds.
Click to expand...
Why did you look at 2 years ago and not last year? He played with Leinart last year, I think looking at last year makes a little more sense.
Click to expand...
I was thinking the exact same thing.These projections for the most part seem about 15-20%

higher than they should be based on last year's production.

 
Ron_Mexico said:
The Scientist said:
Jon_Moore said:
He's a physical freak. He's virtually impossible to jam at the line of scrimmage, runs groute routes and makes plays after the catch. The one knock on him is the lack of tds from last year.

If Leinart proves above average this year, Boldin should explode. 1400+ ifrom Mccown and Warner who combined for 20 tds and 20 ints is very impressive. I think Leinart has to be better than that.

Now obviously, the presence of a legit running game will prevent 100 catches for 1500 yards, but not by a ton.

88 receptions

1296 yards

9 tds.
Click to expand...
Why did you look at 2 years ago and not last year? He played with Leinart last year, I think looking at last year makes a little more sense.
Click to expand...
I was thinking the exact same thing.These projections for the most part seem about 15-20%

higher than they should be based on last year's production.
Click to expand...
Dealing with a rookie QB last year probably didn't help his numbers much, but in fairness he did have a lot more drops than I've seen him have in any of his previous 3 years.I think Leinart will vault into the top 5-10 QBs this year and his accuracy and understanding of NFL defenses should improve and thus improve the receiver's stats.

 
Card Trader said:
David Yudkin said:
[start broken record]This just in . . . Arizona migrating to a run heavy offense. Adjust your projections accordingly.[end broken record]
Click to expand...
Errr, run heavy? No. Balanced....yes.If you look at the Steelers from 2004 to 2006 they ran the ball less every year...as Toothlesberger got more comfortable in the NFL and Whiz could trust him more. I think the goal will be a very balanced offense, not necessarily running MORE, but running more effectively than last year.
Click to expand...
Even in their best season (2006) of the 3 that the Whiz was there, they passed 150 fewer times than the 2005 Cardinals did. And the 2006 had zero 1,000 yard receivers and their top 2 WR ranked 22nd and 41st.And whil their rushing attempts dropped every year, so did their win totals.
 
David Yudkin said:
Card Trader said:
David Yudkin said:
[start broken record]This just in . . . Arizona migrating to a run heavy offense. Adjust your projections accordingly.[end broken record]
Click to expand...
Errr, run heavy? No. Balanced....yes.If you look at the Steelers from 2004 to 2006 they ran the ball less every year...as Toothlesberger got more comfortable in the NFL and Whiz could trust him more. I think the goal will be a very balanced offense, not necessarily running MORE, but running more effectively than last year.
Click to expand...
Even in their best season (2006) of the 3 that the Whiz was there, they passed 150 fewer times than the 2005 Cardinals did. And the 2006 had zero 1,000 yard receivers and their top 2 WR ranked 22nd and 41st.And whil their rushing attempts dropped every year, so did their win totals.
Click to expand...
There are differences in the way the teams are built also, Pittsburgh never had one, let alone two WRs the calibur of Boldin and Fitz. Ward is good, just not on the same level. Pitts OLine is/was far superior to the Cardinals line as well. This offense will be as close to 50/50 as you can get. By no means will it be run heavy.
 
Card Trader said:
David Yudkin said:
Card Trader said:
David Yudkin said:
[start broken record]This just in . . . Arizona migrating to a run heavy offense. Adjust your projections accordingly.[end broken record]
Click to expand...
Errr, run heavy? No. Balanced....yes.If you look at the Steelers from 2004 to 2006 they ran the ball less every year...as Toothlesberger got more comfortable in the NFL and Whiz could trust him more. I think the goal will be a very balanced offense, not necessarily running MORE, but running more effectively than last year.
Click to expand...
Even in their best season (2006) of the 3 that the Whiz was there, they passed 150 fewer times than the 2005 Cardinals did. And the 2006 had zero 1,000 yard receivers and their top 2 WR ranked 22nd and 41st.And whil their rushing attempts dropped every year, so did their win totals.
Click to expand...
There are differences in the way the teams are built also, Pittsburgh never had one, let alone two WRs the calibur of Boldin and Fitz. Ward is good, just not on the same level. Pitts OLine is/was far superior to the Cardinals line as well. This offense will be as close to 50/50 as you can get. By no means will it be run heavy.
Click to expand...
For ha-ha's, lets say that the Cards go 50/50% pass/run and wind up with 500 passing attempts and 500 rushing attempts.In 2005 (the year Fitz and Boldin were both Top 10 WR), Arizona had 670 passing attempts and 340 rushing attempts.In your opinion, would losing 170 passing attempts and gaining 160 rushing attempts impact the results of the passing attack?I ask this in all seriousness because PLENTY of people are slotting Fitz and Boldin production projections GREATER than what they produced in 2005.Yes, all the things you and others have mentioned are true. The Steelers OL is better. The Cardinals WRs are better. The PIT defense is better. The Steelers RB corps was better. The Steelers won more games than the Cardinals will. I get all that.But I have a hard time seeing projections for Boldin at 115 receptions and projections for Fitzgerald at 100 receptions given that the team most likely will make a much more concerted effort to RUN THE BALL.I haven't run the numbers for Boldin, but Fitz' production was 25-30% better with Warner than Leinart or other QBs.I could see the hype if Martz came in to coach this team . . . not a Whiz and Grimm tag team.
 
Card Trader said:
David Yudkin said:
[start broken record]

This just in . . . Arizona migrating to a run heavy offense. Adjust your projections accordingly.

[end broken record]
Click to expand...
Errr, run heavy? No. Balanced....yes.If you look at the Steelers from 2004 to 2006 they ran the ball less every year...as Toothlesberger got more comfortable in the NFL and Whiz could trust him more. I think the goal will be a very balanced offense, not necessarily running MORE, but running more effectively than last year.
Click to expand...
I agree. The offense should be balanced, not run-heavy. But it seems people here are basing their projections off of 2005, when the Cardinals were one of the all-time most pass-happy teams in NFL history.Arizona's not going to throw the ball 670 times in 2007. Not even close. Last year's 546 pass attempts sounds like a better starting point to work with, and even then I might move that down a little. Boldin caught 83 passes last year, and that's without Fitzgerald there for part of the season. How he's going to get up into the 90-100 range, I have no idea. And Boldin's not a big red zone target either, with only 4 TDs last year, 7 in the monster 2005 season and 8 back in 2003 when he was the only target. Why anyone thinks this is going to be the year he sets a career high in TDs is beyond me, especially on a team that should be able to run the ball in the red zone more effectively than in the past.

Boldin's numbers are going to be much closer to the 06 version than the 03 or 05 models. I've got him at 79-1106-6

 
David Yudkin said:
Card Trader said:
David Yudkin said:
Card Trader said:
David Yudkin said:
[start broken record]This just in . . . Arizona migrating to a run heavy offense. Adjust your projections accordingly.[end broken record]
Click to expand...
Errr, run heavy? No. Balanced....yes.If you look at the Steelers from 2004 to 2006 they ran the ball less every year...as Toothlesberger got more comfortable in the NFL and Whiz could trust him more. I think the goal will be a very balanced offense, not necessarily running MORE, but running more effectively than last year.
Click to expand...
Even in their best season (2006) of the 3 that the Whiz was there, they passed 150 fewer times than the 2005 Cardinals did. And the 2006 had zero 1,000 yard receivers and their top 2 WR ranked 22nd and 41st.And whil their rushing attempts dropped every year, so did their win totals.
Click to expand...
There are differences in the way the teams are built also, Pittsburgh never had one, let alone two WRs the calibur of Boldin and Fitz. Ward is good, just not on the same level. Pitts OLine is/was far superior to the Cardinals line as well. This offense will be as close to 50/50 as you can get. By no means will it be run heavy.
Click to expand...
For ha-ha's, lets say that the Cards go 50/50% pass/run and wind up with 500 passing attempts and 500 rushing attempts.In 2005 (the year Fitz and Boldin were both Top 10 WR), Arizona had 670 passing attempts and 340 rushing attempts.In your opinion, would losing 170 passing attempts and gaining 160 rushing attempts impact the results of the passing attack?I ask this in all seriousness because PLENTY of people are slotting Fitz and Boldin production projections GREATER than what they produced in 2005.Yes, all the things you and others have mentioned are true. The Steelers OL is better. The Cardinals WRs are better. The PIT defense is better. The Steelers RB corps was better. The Steelers won more games than the Cardinals will. I get all that.But I have a hard time seeing projections for Boldin at 115 receptions and projections for Fitzgerald at 100 receptions given that the team most likely will make a much more concerted effort to RUN THE BALL.I haven't run the numbers for Boldin, but Fitz' production was 25-30% better with Warner than Leinart or other QBs.I could see the hype if Martz came in to coach this team . . . not a Whiz and Grimm tag team.
Click to expand...
Oh no, I disagree with those figures, I never said Boldin and Fitz would have that kind of output. I was just saying that the Cards will not be run heavy. Both will be in the 80 reception range, however I think as Leinart gets more accurate they will have more RAC on those receptions and both could put up 1100-1300 in a balanced offense.If the O-line is respectable this year, the Cardinals will have one of the top 3 offenses in the league.
 
Card Trader said:
David Yudkin said:
Card Trader said:
David Yudkin said:
Card Trader said:
David Yudkin said:
[start broken record]This just in . . . Arizona migrating to a run heavy offense. Adjust your projections accordingly.[end broken record]
Click to expand...
Errr, run heavy? No. Balanced....yes.If you look at the Steelers from 2004 to 2006 they ran the ball less every year...as Toothlesberger got more comfortable in the NFL and Whiz could trust him more. I think the goal will be a very balanced offense, not necessarily running MORE, but running more effectively than last year.
Click to expand...
Even in their best season (2006) of the 3 that the Whiz was there, they passed 150 fewer times than the 2005 Cardinals did. And the 2006 had zero 1,000 yard receivers and their top 2 WR ranked 22nd and 41st.And whil their rushing attempts dropped every year, so did their win totals.
Click to expand...
There are differences in the way the teams are built also, Pittsburgh never had one, let alone two WRs the calibur of Boldin and Fitz. Ward is good, just not on the same level. Pitts OLine is/was far superior to the Cardinals line as well. This offense will be as close to 50/50 as you can get. By no means will it be run heavy.
Click to expand...
For ha-ha's, lets say that the Cards go 50/50% pass/run and wind up with 500 passing attempts and 500 rushing attempts.In 2005 (the year Fitz and Boldin were both Top 10 WR), Arizona had 670 passing attempts and 340 rushing attempts.In your opinion, would losing 170 passing attempts and gaining 160 rushing attempts impact the results of the passing attack?I ask this in all seriousness because PLENTY of people are slotting Fitz and Boldin production projections GREATER than what they produced in 2005.Yes, all the things you and others have mentioned are true. The Steelers OL is better. The Cardinals WRs are better. The PIT defense is better. The Steelers RB corps was better. The Steelers won more games than the Cardinals will. I get all that.But I have a hard time seeing projections for Boldin at 115 receptions and projections for Fitzgerald at 100 receptions given that the team most likely will make a much more concerted effort to RUN THE BALL.I haven't run the numbers for Boldin, but Fitz' production was 25-30% better with Warner than Leinart or other QBs.I could see the hype if Martz came in to coach this team . . . not a Whiz and Grimm tag team.
Click to expand...
Oh no, I disagree with those figures, I never said Boldin and Fitz would have that kind of output. I was just saying that the Cards will not be run heavy. Both will be in the 80 reception range, however I think as Leinart gets more accurate they will have more RAC on those receptions and both could put up 1100-1300 in a balanced offense.If the O-line is respectable this year, the Cardinals will have one of the top 3 offenses in the league.
Click to expand...
For this year at least we are essentially coming to the same conclusions. IIRC, I had the Cards slotted for 525 rushes and 475 passes. I also have both Fitz and Boldin at 80 receptions. None of that has changed at all over the last couple of months.Where we may differ is in the final team totals. You said they could be Top 3 which IMO is a stretch in just one season. They ranked 19th in total yards from scrimmage and were 900 yards aware from the #3 slot. Similarly, they ranked 19th in points scored as well and were almost 230 points away from the #3 spot.Again not that there is a direct correlation, but for comparison only the Steelers were generally a top third team in both categories.
 
Card Trader said:
If the O-line is respectable this year, the Cardinals will have one of the top 3 offenses in the league.
Click to expand...
Top 3? Seriously?In 2006, the Cardinals were 19th in both scoring and yardage offense. They are great at WR, sure, but where else are they exceptionally strong? At this stage of his career, Edge is pretty close to middle-of-the pack at RB, maybe a little above. Leinart has great potential but we're still talking about a second-year QB here. I'd rate him about average as compared to the rest of the league at QB. And even if the offensive line becomes respectable, it's hard to see it going from bad to great. It would probably fall somewhere in the middle as well. You're talking about a very ordinary offense aside from the WRs. To put them up there with the Colts, Chargers, Saints, Patriots, Bengals etc. would be a little rash, I think.
 
Obviously I have no stats or facts to backup my claim, it's a little bit of a stretch and i'm a big homer, but I see the potential there. With a real line coach, an improved Leinart and a very good RB and arguably the best WR duo in the league, I can see it happening. It's nothing more than an opinion...........

 
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