Meet Anquan Boldin

Who is the fastest NFL receiver ever to 300 receptions? How about 500? For too many years now, Anquan Boldin has simply been the other guy. Lost in Larry Fitzgerald‘s monstrous shadow, both in terms of on field performance and physical stature, Boldin has enjoyed both the perks and frustrations of serving as the 2 receiver in one of the NFL’s most feared passing attacks. In the season before Fitzgerald’s arrival, Boldin entered as a rookie with a chip on his shoulder, passed over for the first 53 picks due to concerns regarding his lackluster 4.71 40 time. It took all of a week to send 30 teams into instant regret, setting a rookie-debut receiving record with 217 yards in the opener. Boldin would go on to tally 101 receptions for 1377 yards and 8 TDs on his way to earning a spot on the Pro Bowl roster, the only rookie to make the trip to Hawaii. The following year, Boldin went down with injury and was limited to just 10 games, while Larry Fitzgerald made his professional debut. Even while healthy Boldin would see his endzone targets rapidly decrease in favor of the 6’3” Fitzgerald, who hauled in 8 scores his rookie season, compared to just 1 for Boldin. Though 2005 saw both receivers eclipse 100 receptions and 1,400 yards (only the 3^rd duo in NFL history to eclipse the receptions century mark), the season marked arguably the last time in which Boldin and Fitz were shown equal favor by the organization.The defining moment in his relationship with the Cardinals, however, came when management allegedly refused to offer him the new contract he claims Cardinal’s brass promised him. Fitzgerald, by contrast was rewarded with a 40 million contract following the 2007 season, including 30 million guaranteed. Though the on-field relationship between Boldin and the Cardinals flourished until the end, contract disputes mired even the successful Super Bowl run in 2009.Boldin’s effort, toughness and work ethic have never come into question. Though he has been plagued by a number of injury riddled seasons, the tenacious WR goes over the middle with no fear and toughs out every yard. The Ravens signed Boldin to 3-year 25 million deal this summer, with the Ravens finally getting a true 1 target for Flacco and Boldin finally finding fair compensation for his on-field performance.