Anquan Boldin - Oakland Raiders Forum | Message Board

**crizpynutz** · #1 (**permalink**) 03-01-2003, 02:08 AM

Anquan Boldin
WR, Florida St.
Height - 6'1"
Weight - 218
40-yard - 4.75

Hands: Makes acrobatic catches at times. Can catch on the run without losing much momentum. Pulls down balls away from his frame, over his shoulder and over his head. Loses concentration at times. Drops catchable passes when trying to get upfield too quickly. Grade: 8.1

Patterns: Has good initial burst. Drives defenders off the line. Has great speed, but isn't much of a deep threat. Is much better on short-to-intermediate routes. Shows a good feel for coverage and has become a solid, consistent route-runner underneath. Has great body control and gets separation out of breaks. Shows outstanding lateral movement and change-of-direction skills. Has a second gear. Tracks balls in the air. Grade: 8.0

Run after catch: Has burst and explosiveness. Is elusive with good lateral movement. Excels at stopping and starting. Has above-average vision and patience. Runs with good power and strength. Grade: 8.5

Release: Is raw in this area. Spends much time in the slot to avoid press coverage. Needs to develop more moves, but is quick, strong and physical enough to improve. Grade: 7.6

Blocking: Works to get downfield. Is feisty and competitive. Lacks great technique and must improve leverage and take better angles. Grade: 7.8

Bottom line: Boldin, a converted quarterback, is raw and has durability questions, but he is too good of a natural athlete to let slip past the second round. He has good size, is well built, and looks to be regaining his 4.4 speed -- that's the biggest reason why a team may take a chance on him late in the first round.
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Here's an interesting choice. The kind of guy you draft to learn for a year or two. He has good size, he's smart and apparently his 40-yard time is missleading as this is the second time I've read how he's closer to the 4.4 range. He's not a blazer, but we have Jerry Porter to go downfield. Boldin sounds like a raw, but interesting player.

SoCalRaider · #2 (**permalink**) 03-01-2003, 02:13 AM

A 4.75 40-yard dash?

McGahee can run faster than that on one leg. If we go WR, I say we get a deep threat to compliment Porter and Jolley.

**crizpynutz** · #3 (**permalink**) 03-01-2003, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SoCalRaider
A 4.75 40-yard dash?

McGahee can run faster than that on one leg. If we go WR, I say we get a deep threat to compliment Porter and Jolley.

I agree, that's why I mentioned he's been getting timed closer to the 4.40 range, as the article mentioned. If he really runs closer to the 4.40 or even 4.50 then he's worth it.

DarthRaider · #4 (**permalink**) 03-01-2003, 02:25 AM

We could probably pick this guy up in the 2nd round. I'd still like us to concentrate on the defensive side of the ball with the picks in the 1st round. BTW, I'd take a gamble on McGahee.

daraydaz · #5 (**permalink**) 03-01-2003, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by crizpynutz
I agree, that's why I mentioned he's been getting timed closer to the 4.40 range, as the article mentioned. If he really runs closer to the 4.40 or even 4.50 then he's worth it.

Boldin didn't have a very good combine but he does have some good upside, I would wait to see if he drops in the second. There's always guys like Doug Gabriel or Arnaz Battle we could pick up later but I think we should seriously take a look at my boy Tyrone Callico in the middle rounds. He tore it up at the combines.

**AceRimRat** · #6 (**permalink**) 03-01-2003, 10:40 AM

I like Battle, but he's a raw former QB - and you know how Notre Dame loves throwing the ball, no matter who's coaching.

The Indy track is "slow" but a 4.75 in the 40 doesn't do it for me. There's plenty of other wide receivers out there of the same level: Good but not great. I think the Raiders could get one in the 2nd or 3rd who could be a reserve to groom.

You know, like Ken-Yon Rambo would've been. Or Dameane Douglas. (Thanks, Chucky.)

mojobeast4694 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-01-2003, 11:55 AM

Just a thought but how many of you have actually seen him play?!?!?

I hate FSU but this kid is amazing, he dosent run a 4.75 40, thats just one timer, hes been running around 4.45 all year I guess.

Plus theres something called in game speed, which he has alot of and he can throw the ball to, look at him like a bigger stronger and faster Randle El.

**crizpynutz** · #8 (**permalink**) 03-02-2003, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mojobeast4694
Just a thought but how many of you have actually seen him play?!?!?

I hate FSU but this kid is amazing, he dosent run a 4.75 40, thats just one timer, hes been running around 4.45 all year I guess.

Plus theres something called in game speed, which he has alot of and he can throw the ball to, look at him like a bigger stronger and faster Randle El.

I agree completely. He's much better than his numbers indicate. He's got size, speed, and ability. What else is there? He hasn't been in trouble yet.