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Thursday, April 30, 2009

Still No Deals For Edwards or Boldin


The 2009 Draft has come to a close and there was plenty of excitement surrounding a number of high profile picks. What was missing on draft day was the high profile trade between teams of current NFL players (i.e. the Randy Moss trade of 2007).

The elements were in place for such a trade to occur. Two receivers: Anquan Boldin of the Arizona Cardinals and Braylon Edwards of the Cleveland Browns are high profile players who wanted to be traded to different teams. There are a number of teams in the league with voids at wideout. So, why hasn't a deal come through for either receiver?

The Arizona Cardinals initially wanted substantial compensation for the services of Anquan Boldin. The deal sought from the onset was in line with what the Cowboys paid the Lions for Roy Williams; a pick in the 1st, 3rd, and 6th round of the draft. Now that the draft has come and gone and no offers for Boldin were ever even close to the deal the Cardinals wanted, Boldin's future remains uncertain.

The Cardinals front office and several players have indicated that they would like to have Anquan back for the 2009 season. Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald even stated a belief that Boldin wants to stay as well. Without an overwhelming interest in making a deal for Boldin, Arizona may look at restructuring a contract for the wideout in the near future.

They have already made some big salary cap moves by releasing their cornerback Rod Hood, linebacker Travis LaBoy, and disgruntled running back Edgerrin James. Arizona officially decided to part ways with James after picking up former Ohio State running back Chris "Beanie" Wells in the draft on Saturday.

The Browns, on the other hand, seem to have a plan in place to deal with the loss of Braylon Edwards in the event of a trade. They moved down repeatedly in last week's draft in an attempt to find good players at a better value. They picked up two receivers in the second round; Brian Robiskie, also from OSU and Mohammed Massaqoui out of Georgia. Both wideouts look promising as future starters.

It looked as if the New York Giants would make a play for Edwards on or near draft day. It made sense at the time. The Giants had parted ways with embattled receiver Plaxico Burress and were in dire need of a playmaker at the receiver position. But the Giants were smart enough to draft two receivers of their own last weekend.

They picked up Hakeem Hicks in the first round and Ramses Barden in the third. Both players are big, strong receivers who will make excellent targets for QB Eli Manning. Especially Hicks, who has great hands and top receiver potential. Without either team desperate at the receiver position, Edwards appears to be in limbo without any clear indication of where he will be playing next season.


With teams wanting a lot of compensation for these two receivers and the value found in the draft, these potential trade talks may just flicker out. Boldin has had limited interest at best and the Cardinals are intent on keeping him. Braylon Edwards' stock plummeted when both the Browns and Giants took good receivers in the draft. As mini camp nears, teams are tightening their rosters. As the economy compels us all to monitor our spending, NFL teams are not as willing to pay top price for just one player.




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