Anquan Boldin

He is expected to be without receiver Anquan Boldin for the second straight week, but that will be a game-time decision. He'll still have Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston on the outside, so he'll be just fine. Arizona shocked Green Bay with their commitment to the running game last week, gaining over 150 yards on the ground. Concerns arise when discussing their defense, but as we saw in overtime last week, they can make plays when they need them. Darnell Dockett, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Adrian Wilson all have thr ability to affect the outcome.

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Nice job guys. With Anquan Boldin a late scratch, Fitzgerald caught 9 passes, most of which were 8-12 yards in length. The Cardinals didn’t need Boldin, with Warner finishing the game with 5 TD’s through the air. What didn’t help was losing corner Charles Tillman and safety Al Afalava through the course of the game, leaving an already struggling secondary without key performers.

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The Cardinals have finally regained their NFC champion composure in spite of an ankle injury to Anquan Boldin. Coupled with the Niners’ loss, the Cards have sole possession of first place. 

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Arizona’s Kurt Warner is playing like his All-Pro self, but Anquan Boldin won’t be near 100% for this one, so Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston need to pick up the slack in the receiver corps. Eli Manning and his Giants are looking to take out their anger after being embarrassed by the Saints in week six. Whichever defense can create the most QB pressure will win the game for their squad. My fake money’s on the Giants. 

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Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston each had over 1,000 receiving yards, making their case for the best receiver corps in the NFL. Fitzgerald has been a freak in the post-season, but Boldin has been hampered buy a hamstring problem which resulted in a lot of time on the sidelines and an altercation with O-Coordinator Todd Haley. The Cards boasted the league’s worst running attack with a rotating cast of veteran Edgerrin James, rookie Tim Hightower and fourth year man J.J. Arrington never establishing any rhythm. James has come on late to provide a decent balance to the offense, due to his fresh legs and professional attitude. The defense had been suspect for much of the year, never being able to consistently hold up against the run, despite the play of Pro Bowler Adrian Wilson. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Antrel Rolle form a talented and youthful cornerback tandem and their play has only improved down the stretch.

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Thin-slicing. It is the act cutting through all extraneous information and getting to the key items that characterize something. Malcolm Gladwell wrote an entertaining and informative book on thin-slicing called Blink.

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Both the Cardinals and Bengals have declined offers for Anquan Boldin and Chad Johnson, respectively. Both receivers are distancing themselves from their organizations as of late because of contract disputes and unsatisfactory working conditions. Boldin made no secret about his resentment after Arizona re-signed Larry Fitzgerald to a four-year deal earlier in the offseason. Similarly, Johnson is incredibly disgruntled, threatening to sit out the season in order to force a trade. Cincinnati denied the ‘Skins offer of their 2008 first-rounder (21st overall) and a 2009 third-rounder for the receiver and has stated its intention of calling his bluff. By now the other Bengals must be turning on Ocho Cinco. Houshmandzadeh has already put in his two cents, saying there’ll definitely be a “problem” if Chad isn’t dealt. Could one of these guys land in the Windy City? My thoughts say unlikely, though Boldin seems to fit the Bears’ character more; Johnson is too outlandish for the conservative organization. Boldin would immediately shoot to the top of our receiver depth chart if brought in and would make an excellent possession receiver. He’s got powerful legs, great hands, and could be good for 90-100 receptions, 1,000+ yards, and 7-8 TDs in Turner’s system… Wait, Bears! Get on this!

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