Percy Harvin or Anquan Boldin?

[Orioles1954]

Harvin is a fragile player. Just one or two medium hits and he will be compromised....every DC in the league knows this and will exploit it. Boldin had his face fractured in two places and was back the next week--the ultimate gamer. When the Ravens replaced their tepid OC in week 11, Boldin really started shine and the resulting numbers are a testament of that. The Ravens did not win the Super Bowl BECAUSE of Boldin, but would not have won it without him.

[nolemmings]

Boldin was actually on TWO Super Bowl teams. losing in a dramatic comeback to Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLIII. He had 8 catches in that game but was outshone by Larry Fitzgerald.

The difference in the two as teammates is huge. One will play hurt, will keep his mouth shut and find ways to win. The other is Percy Harvin.

[Orioles1954]

That's the truth Todd. There's a reason why fans in Baltimore, Phoenix and soon San Francisco love Boldin. He is a throwback football player who is an excellent teammate and outstanding in the community. I STILL hate that my Ravens got rid of him.

[Ease]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

That's the truth Todd. There's a reason why fans in Baltimore, Phoenix and soon San Francisco love Boldin. He is a throwback football player who is an excellent teammate and outstanding in the community. I STILL hate that my Ravens got rid of him.

OT a little, but what may be worse for the Ravens is the loss of Ellerbee. What say you?

[freakhappy]

Boldin's tough, but no way is it a better signing for the long run and maybe not even in the short. He will be good, but Harvin is the stud...no getting around that. I just hope he can stay healthy (because he is a little dude).

Another thing is that Boldin, on both Super Bowl teams, was never the #1 go to guy. So he rarely ever gets covered by the better corner. There are also times he disappears...zero, one or two catches. Another sign that he's a role player and nothing more. I like the guy, but let's not give him too much credit...tough, yes...stud, hardly. Remember that Deon Branch won a SB MVP once...it happens.

[tiger8mush]

Boldin was covered by the #1 corner, at least in the AFC championship game vs NE. CB Aquib Talib (NE's #1 corner) was covering him, but early in the game Talib got hurt. I don't know who covered him after that, but it didn't matter cuz NE had no other CBs worth a poo.

Boldin is a gamer, goes up and gets the ball like Dennis Rodman getting a rebound in the 90s.

I understand the Ravens had another year of Boldin under contract, but the Flacco signing put them over the cap. So isntead of just dropping Boldin and him getting picked up by an AFC rival (patriots, steelers, broncos, etc) they traded him to the NFC. GREAT pickup for the 9ers in my opinion, and puts the 9ers as the favorites in the NFC.

Harvin was a great pickup by the Seahawks, but they spent a lot more and while he has a higher ceiling than Boldin, I believe Harvin also has a lower floor. More risk.

I'm just happy both stayed out of NE!!!!! The last thing Brady needs is a good wideout like he had in 2007 w/Randy Moss, phew!

[steve B]

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

Boldin was covered by the #1 corner, at least in the AFC championship game vs NE. CB Aquib Talib (NE's #1 corner) was covering him, but early in the game Talib got hurt. I don't know who covered him after that, but it didn't matter cuz NE had no other CBs worth a poo.


I'm just happy both stayed out of NE!!!!! The last thing Brady needs is a good wideout like he had in 2007 w/Randy Moss, phew!

Yeah, NE didn't have anywhere near enough on defense, and were a bit banged up on offense -And it only got worse during the game.

I wouldn't have minded seeing Boldin in a Pats uniform. I think he's a very solid player.

But 7 million for a guy who will be 33 next year seems a bit steep. I'm glad he got it, and maybe a bit happier he got it from SF.

I like Harvin too, he can be great, but a bit inconsistent.
If he stays in one piece he'll do well.

Steve B

[nolemmings]

No one said Harvin does not have more upside, especially at this stage of their respective careers. But the 49ers are on the edge of a Super Bowl now, and I think this pushes them to a win.

Boldin is clearly the better receiver. Far better hands and better route running, and hugely more reliable. Harvin is the exciting playmaker, but as a slot receiver/flanker. The Vikings QB did not keep Percy down. He makes most of his catches in the backfield and rarely ran long routes, not because of a bad scheme but because that's what he does best--yards after catch. Basically I could throw the ball to Percy Harvin, so don't blame the Vikings for not using him correctly or picture him as some deep threat in Seattle or you will be disappointed.

Claiming that Boldin is not the featured receiver misses the point, and is akin to saying Cris Carter was not very good because he had Randy Moss. When you need a big grab anyplace on the field and with tight coverage, like say a backshoulder grab on 4th down in this past postseason, Boldin is the guy. If you need a guy to bitch about not getting enough touches, not making enough money, or how this or that hurts, get Percy Harvin.

[freakhappy]

Originally Posted by nolemmings

No one said Harvin does not have more upside, especially at this stage of their respective careers. But the 49ers are on the edge of a Super Bowl now, and I think this pushes them to a win.

Boldin is clearly the better receiver. Far better hands and better route running, and hugely more reliable. Harvin is the exciting playmaker, but as a slot receiver/flanker. The Vikings QB did not keep Percy down. He makes most of his catches in the backfield and rarely ran long routes, not because of a bad scheme but because that's what he does best--yards after catch. Basically I could throw the ball to Percy Harvin, so don't blame the Vikings for not using him correctly or picture him as some deep threat in Seattle or you will be disappointed.

Claiming that Boldin is not the featured receiver misses the point, and is akin to saying Cris Carter was not very good because he had Randy Moss. When you need a big grab anyplace on the field and with tight coverage, like say a backshoulder grab on 4th down in this past postseason, Boldin is the guy. If you need a guy to bitch about not getting enough touches, not making enough money, or how this or that hurts, get Percy Harvin.

Boooo! This post makes you seem like a hater.

I guess my point is, Boldin is past his prime and will contribute, but not crazily like he did in the playoffs. One big thing to remember is that the niners defense did not play as good this season as they have in the past few years...and they did lose their best corner to the Buccaneers yesterday. This niner team has changed, but will still be one of the better teams in the NFC. The Ravens throw a lot more than the niners do, so Boldin's impact will be mostly the critical 3rd downs and such. I'm just not sure when Boldin became such a premiere receiver? I guess I missed the memo. He's hit or miss most of the time, but hit a hot streak in the playoffs...doesn't make him elite or anything.

If the Seahawks are smart, they will not overuse Percy. His value is amongst the best in the league at his position, but just like anyone else with over usage, is susceptible to injury. I like the Seahawks this year and hope they win it all. Russell Wilson surprised everyone last year and with Percy this year, the sky is the limit. They call players like Percy a "play maker" for a reason.

And as far as the Broncos #1 corner covering Boldin for some of the game...well, if you watched the game, the Broncos weren't covering anyone...hence the miracle bomb at the end of regulation.

Time will tell

[Orioles1954]

Originally Posted by Ease

OT a little, but what may be worse for the Ravens is the loss of Ellerbee. What say you?

No one is better at drafting in the later rounds than Baltimore. Ellerbe was a 6th round pickup. General consensus in our area is that Ellerbe was overpaid and good luck in Miami...there will be more like Ellerbe to find in the draft. The reaction to losing Boldin and Pollard has been harsh against the organization. Really harsh, in fact. These guys reflect what Baltimore is like as a city. Gritty, with a chip on its shoulder. Losing Boldin and Pollard took a LOT of toughness away from the team. No reason for Ed Reed to re-sign with Baltimore IMHO.