Former Ravens large receiver Anquan Boldin was considered one of 173 modern-era gamers nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame final month. Next month, he’ll discover out if he made the minimize for a second straight yr to be considered one of 25 semifinalists, this time for the Class of 2024.
But Boldin, whose 14-year NFL profession included three seasons and a Super Bowl title in Baltimore, insists he doesn’t take into consideration whether or not he’ll someday have a bust in Canton, Ohio.
“My dad always taught me if you have to tell somebody how good you were, you probably weren’t very good,” he informed The Baltimore Sun final week on the Courtyard by Marriott Baltimore Downtown/McHenry Row lodge, the place he was readily available to advertise Marriott’s Ultimate Baltimore Ravens Fan Room. “For me, I don’t try to state a case. I let my play speak for itself.”
While that play and his toughness had been sufficient to earn three Pro Bowl picks and a championship, whether or not his profession was Hall of Fame worthy would be the topic of debate among the many choice committee.
Boldin’s 13,779 profession receiving yards rank 14th all-time and are greater than Hall of Famers Andre Reed, Steve Largent, Art Monk and Charlie Joiner. His 1,076 catches are ninth in league historical past.
He was additionally the quickest participant to achieve 400 receptions (67 video games), 500 receptions (80 video games) and 600 receptions (98 video games). He set the NFL rookie file with 101 catches and was the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2003.
Yet there are different components that may possible maintain him out, no less than for now.
Only 3 times did Boldin — who spent his first seven seasons within the league with the Arizona Cardinals and likewise had stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions — end within the high 10 in catches and receiving yards in an NFL season. He by no means led the league in both class, nor was he an All-Pro. Boldin additionally wasn’t dominant for any size of time, topping 100 catches in two of his first three years however recording fewer than 70 receptions six instances.
Still, it’s unlikely the Ravens would have received the Super Bowl throughout the 2012 season with out him.
While Boldin had 65 catches for a team-high 921 yards and 4 touchdowns throughout the common season, his largest impression got here within the playoffs. In 4 postseason video games, he had 22 catches for 380 yards and 4 touchdowns, two of which got here in opposition to the New England Patriots within the AFC championship sport. In the Super Bowl win over the 49ers, he led the Ravens with six catches for 104 yards and a landing.
That 34-31 victory can be why Boldin seems to be again on his transient time in Baltimore so fondly.
“I look at it as mission accomplished,” he mentioned. “I used to be introduced right here to assist deliver a Super Bowl to the town and was ready to do this.
“Although I was only here three years, it felt a lot longer than that because I connected with the community right away, the fan base was great, the organization was second to none. I still keep in touch, not with just players but with people in the facility.”
As for this yr’s staff, now 5-2 after a blowout victory over the Lions, Boldin thinks they’re nonetheless discovering their approach.
“I don’t think they’ve played their best football yet, especially offensively,” he mentioned. “They’re nonetheless looking for that id. That occurs. You get a brand new offensive coordinator in, generally it takes him slightly time to fill out the items that he has.
“Switching over to a new coordinator, him trying to make his presence felt here, figuring out the weapons that he has and how to use them, who’s best at what positions and what they can do best, that’s still a process right now. They have the weapons. They’ll figure it out.”
Whether Boldin has sufficient to make it to the Hall of Fame, time will inform.
“It would mean a lot,” Boldin mentioned of the opportunity of being enshrined. “You’re speaking about being among the best to ever do it. If you get that decision there’s in all probability no larger name.
“But it doesn’t cross my mind, not until somebody brings it up. I reached every goal I wanted to in football. For me, the ultimate goal was winning the Super Bowl. If I’m inducted, that’s icing on the cake.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com