Could Boldin Be Forced to Return His Bonus?

[notaxforme]

Under terms of his 6-year contract signed in 2005, Anquan Boldin was paid approx. $13M in bonus money combined with his salary for a total of over $23M. This contract extends thru the 2010 season.

If the unhappy Boldin decides not to play for Arizona and the team refuses to trade him or redo his contract to his satisfaction, he would obviously forfeit his scheduled salaries of $2.75M (2009) and $3M (2010).

The question I have relates to his $13M bonus. Would he be required to return 1/3 of his bonus if he refuses to fulfill the contract? Walking away from $6M in 2009-2010 is tough enough, but returning $4.3M in bonus would be a very difficult check to write.

The bottom line is Q has no leverage whatsoever at this point. His best option, in my opinion, would be to shut up, play football for the next 2 yrs. at an all-pro level, and become a FA or Franchise tagged in 2010. This would bring him to Fitzgerald's money level, which seems to be his goal. Hopefully, he will soon realize that all the huffing and puffing by him and Rosenhaus is only making him look foolish.

[finally]

I think the problem in Boldins eyes is he knows how injury prone he is. He already has had 2 knee injuries, a concussion, a face plate etc. When he hits free agency he will probably not be a top 10 WR(if he even is right now). Maybe not even top 20 skill wise when he hits FA and if he keeps up his T.O. song and dance his skill is the only thing that matters.

As we sit right now, 2 yrs younger than his future F.A. self

Rec yrds-Boldin 16th, Fitz 2nd
YPC-Boldin 68th, Fitz 20th
TD's-Boldin T-3th, Fitz 1st
Rec-Boldin 8th, Fitz 4th
100 yrd games-Boldin 14th, Fitz 3rd
Fumbles-Boldin most in league by WR, Fitz 1

And for those of you that say Boldins #'s are down because he missed games you make my point for me. Dude is injury prone.

Boldin doesn't touch Fitz

[Andy B]

Where Q might be ability wise in two years is a valid point.
I sure he would still be an outstanding receiver, but in another two years his skills will start diminishing.
Realistically if the Cards FO did nothing and just let Q play out his contract they could get two more years at his physical peak.
I can also almost guarantee Anquan will not play for all two seasons worth of games. He hasn't play a full season for the last few years now.
If they can't get him to resign now for a reasonable price for another 4 or 5 years, I'd let him play out the contract and see what happens after that.

[malachi]

Trade Anquan and beef up that offensive line. Open up the running game and give Kurt all day to throw the ball. It doesn't matter what W.R. takes his place, Kurt's gonna make him look like an all-pro.