Anquan Boldin has been a good friend to CBSSports.com, inviting us to his charity events for the Q Foundation and always giving us insight on the Cardinals.
So in return, we're going to start the Boldin for MVP campaign. That's right, Boldin should win the award this year. He's been that good.
Heading into Week 11, the MVP candidates include Boldin's teammate, Kurt Warner, along with Drew Brees, Clinton Portis and Adrian Peterson. Some other players will emerge in the second half, but Boldin should finish on top.
"It hasn't crossed my mind," Boldin said when asked about being the MVP in a recent phone interview. Well, it should.
|
|
|
Anquan Boldin's recovery from a horrific injury has been impressive.
(US Presswire)
|
|
Boldin leads all receivers with 10 touchdowns, and he's one behind
LenDale White for most touchdowns by a non-quarterback. Boldin also has 49 catches for 606 yards, and he's played in only seven games because of the vicious head injury he sustained in Week 4 at the Jets, which required eight plates in his face and wiring in his jaw.
Boldin is proving his toughness in coming back from the injury, and he's proving his skill by continuing to play at a high level. His teammates and coaches have been impressed.
"It is surprising that he has recovered so quickly," Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said on a conference call. "When you see the hit you think in your mind how long will he be out, will he ever recover. Anquan has shown us a number of times how tough he is. I'm surprised a number of different times how he is performing at this level so quickly after the injury, but at the same time I have seen him do some amazing things coming back from injuries. I'm excited that he is playing at the level he is playing at and feeling no effect after taking that hit."
Since missing two games, Boldin has come back with 22 catches for 240 yards and five touchdowns in the past three games. He has scored a touchdown in six-straight games, and his 10 touchdowns are a new career high.
Boldin wouldn't say he's the best receiver in the NFL right now, but it's hard to find someone who is playing better.
"I don't think there is, but I'm probably just being biased," Boldin said. "A lot of people have different opinions. You can't argue with the numbers."
The numbers suggest Boldin should be in the MVP talk if not the front-runner. But he has an uphill battle to win.
No wide receiver has won an MVP award, including Jerry Rice, and last year Randy Moss didn't get one first-place vote even though he set the NFL record for touchdown catches with 23. Boldin would have to break Moss' record to win an MVP or at least come close, and missing the two games doesn't help.
Last year, Moss had 12 touchdowns through nine games, so Boldin isn't far off. He would need a few more multiple touchdown games, and he has three already this season.
Warner also is the sentimental favorite because he's the veteran who wasn't expected to start but won the job in training camp and has the Cardinals in first place in the NFC West. Boldin even said he would vote for Warner.
"I think he is the MVP," Boldin said. "He's been playing light's out since Week 1. I'm not surprised with Kurt at all. Every year I've played with him, he's always been capable of playing this way. He's always had the ability. Now he's just getting the chance."
Warner is deserving of the award. But the argument against Warner would be he has the benefit of playing with Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, and they are making him look good. And Boldin, in particular, is having a career year and has recovered from the injury, which makes him a better choice as the best player in the NFL.
As for the other candidates, Brees in on a losing team, Portis could miss some time now with a knee injury and Peterson still has something to prove following a slow start. But again, it's a wide-open race right now.
Boldin has been an MVP for Fantasy owners this season. He was drafted as the No. 13 wide receiver, according to his average draft position on CBSSports.com, but he's No. 1 right now in all scoring formats. All the Cardinals have been great Fantasy options this year.
Aside from Warner, Fitzgerald is also having a Pro Bowl season and is a No. 1 Fantasy option. And two young Cardinals have made an impression this year.
Tim Hightower has replaced Edgerrin James and emerged as a quality Fantasy running back. He should be started as a No. 2 option in all leagues at this time.
"Tim is an explosive running back," Boldin said. "He's capable of taking it the distance on any carry."
Even Steve Breaston has become a No. 3 Fantasy wide receiver even though he's the third receiver in Arizona. With the way Warner is playing, and with so much attention going to Boldin and Fitzgerald, Breaston has developed into a playmaker.
"I can't say enough about Steve," Boldin said. "His ability is finally showing. He works hard and takes pride in making tough catches. He's the best No. 3 receiver in the league. Anywhere else and he's a No. 2 receiver or he's fighting for the No. 1 job. He's that good."
Boldin has been a leader for players like Breaston and Hightower and has shown he's all about the team by putting his contract demands aside. Before the season started, Boldin expressed his desire for a new deal, which hasn't happened yet, and now his play is going to cost the Cardinals.
He has been the best player in the NFL. Fantasy owners realize it, and Boldin should get the ultimate prize.
He should be the MVP.
