Sports Illustrated’s Don Banks and Peter King are reporting the Ravens have dealt for Arizona Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/nfl/03/05/free.agency.tracker/index.html?xid=cnnbin&hpt=Sbin

As I wrote the other-day, I preferred Boldin to the price likely necessary to obtain Brandon Marshall.

http://baltimoresportsandlife.blogspot.com/2010/03/anquan-boldin-vs-brandon-marshall.html

What I would not be overly fond of, is Boldin without the resigning of Mason. Mason back as a 2nd WR, with his existing-relationship with Flacco would be ideal. While I believe Boldin to be ‘better’, I do not see the Ravens as improved with any significance if Boldin is simply replacing Mason.

It also seems like the Ravens are going to attempt to finalize things with Kevin Walter. Despite Walter’s size, and ‘youth’ (in-comparison to Mason), I continue to think the Ravens would be far better off with the return of Mason. Mason has caught 153 passes from Flacco these past two-years. Losing that familiarity, and having Flacco establish connections with three-new receivers in Boldin, Walter, and Stallworth would be a lot to ask.

EDIT: Deal has been finalized. 3rd, and 4th round picks to Arizona for Boldin, and the 5th. I think you have to like this deal if you are a Ravens fan.

Now, get Mason back (over Walter) and go Boldin, Mason, Stallworth, Clayton/Williams, with Heap, and a 1st round TE (Gresham, Hernandez, McCoy).

Tony Lombardi of Ravens 24×7, and ProFootball 24×7, is reporting a 4 year, $28M extension deal for Boldin.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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