MVN - Most Valuable Network

Cardinals to Redskins: OH NO to Anquan Boldin trade

It’s official. The Washington Redskins are determined to trade their first round draft pick for a wide receiver.

Chris Mortensen reports on ESPN that the Arizona Cardinals rejected an inquiry about a trade for Boldin from Washington and from the Philadelphia Eagles. [Hat tip to Michael David Smith on profootballtalk.com who pointed to this story.]

The news comes a day after confirmation that the Skins attempted to trade two high draft picks to the Cincinnati Bengals for receiver Chad Johnson.

Big hole at receiver

This year, the Redskins are moving aggressively to fill the hole at wide receiver to go along with their new approach to offense. Anquan Bolden or Chad Johnson would push Santana Moss to No. 2 receiver, the position he held with the New York Jets. 

Washington sought all last summer to find an impact free agent wide receiver. The effort was unproductive. The Skins eventually signed Reche Caldwell and Keenan McCardell to contracts just as the season started, however, they were lightly used. Caldwell has since signed with the St. Louis Rams. McCardell is unsigned for this season. 

The disappointing Brandon Lloyd was mercifully dropped from the roster.

If the Redskins have a chasm to fill at wide out, it’s a hole of their own making.

Lloyd was grossly overvalued in the deal that brought to Washington via a trade with the 49ers. The Redskins expected him to be productive for five or six seasons. He never produced like Johnson or Boldin even while at San Francisco. The Skins could have kept Caldwell for a reasonable contract, but only offered the vet minimum. 

I’m not happy with the contract I just signed

Boldin has agitated for a new contract from the Cardinals ever since No. 2 receiver Larry Fitzgerald signed a four year, $40 million deal. Chad Johnson petulantly demands to be traded by the Bengals in moves reminiscent of Terrell Owens’ 2005 campaign against the Eagles.

Boldin, Johnson and Owens are represented by agent Drew Rosenhaus who reportedly has an excellent relationship with Redskins owner Daniel Snyder. Agents, especially Rosenhaus, are known for attempting to improve their clients status by instigating trades.

So why don’t elite players sign shorter deals for big up front money, rather than long term deals for guaranteed bonus? They can’t have it both ways. In an era of escalating contracts, the trade-off for contract security is the loss of future income growth. Neither Johnson nor Boldin would be happy it their teams demanded a refund because their production fell off. They would say “a deal is a deal.” 

Draw your own conclusions about Rosenhaus’ background role in these shenanigans.

First round money, second round talent 

The Redskins effort to move the trade is another sign that NFL clubs have a light regard for this year’s first round draftees. 

Miami’s attempt to sign No. 1 draft pick Jake Long to a contract paying less than last year’s top pick, JaMarcus Russell who missed the season after a long hold-out with Oakland. Miami reportedly tried to peddle their first pick.

There are persistent rumors that teams would like to trade out of their first round picks for more lower round draft picks. There are few takers.

Redskins Executive Vice President Vinny Cerrato has said on occasion that some of the players projected to be selected in the first round would be great values – at second round contract money.

Its as though teams will be forced to use their top draft pick — if they don’t trade them first.

David Elfin at The Times: Chad Johnson wasn’t the only target. 

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008 at 11:26 am and is filed under Chad Johnson, Brandon Lloyd, Reche Caldwell, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins Trade, Daniel Snyder, Washington Redskins, Redskins, Arizona Cardinals. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.