Anquan Boldin and the big, bad, anonymous scout

The 2015 San Francisco 49ers had major issues moving the ball, averaging just 14.9 points per game en route to a 5-11 record, the second-worst average in the NFL.

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Why do I rehash the San Francisco 49ers shortcomings on offense? Simply to set the scene, because this is what Anquan Boldin had to deal with as a 35-year-old. Most players at that age are hoping to win a ring to close out a lengthy, illustrious career. Boldin, who won a Super Bowl before being traded to the 49ers, instead played for a team that was more known for early retirements than wins.

This makes Boldin’s 69 receptions for 789 yards and four touchdowns more impressive than those stats seem at face value, because, for most No. 1 wide receivers, those would be poor totals. On a team that averaged under seven yards per pass attempt, Boldin had 7.11 yards per target, despite the fact that his 111 targets were 49 more than the next most-targeted receiver on the team. Additionally, Boldin was the only wide receiver on the 49ers with at least 20 targets to have a catch rate above 60%.

Unfortunately, apparently not everyone can see that Boldin provides some value to an offense despite his advanced age. Here’s what an anonymous pro scouting director told the MMQB’s Albert Breer.

A former second-round pick out of Florida State, Boldin ran a 4.71 forty as a draft prospect, so the fact that he “can’t run” isn’t a valid reason for criticizing his game. Remember, this is a man with eight career 70-catch seasons and just three seasons with more than 14 yards per reception. In his first two years with the 49ers, Boldin had 85 and 83 catches, respectively, with a combined 12 touchdowns; he moves the chains.

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Yes, Boldin’s yards per reception average declined steeply last season to 11.4, but that probably says more about the set-up of the offense. The 49ers signed Boldin’s former Baltimore Ravens teammate Torrey Smith to a huge contract, yet they only gave the deep threat a grand total of 62 targets.

Using “he’s old and can’t run” as the reason for why Boldin can’t sign with a team is completely uninsightful, because it isn’t even true. In fact, I can’t understand why Breer decided to use this quote- other than the fact that it’s juicy enough to allow this tweet to create a trending topic on Facebook- because the reporter’s reason for Boldin being unsigned makes more sense. After all, it is the reason why the New England Patriots released Lavelle Hawkins before training camp back in 2013.

However, I think the real reason why Boldin hasn’t signed is money, because that’s actually the unknown with him. I mean, it’s obvious that he’s old and slow, but his production last season dictates that he deserves a look. After all, Hakeem Nicks eventually signed a deal with the Tennessee Titans last offseason, and less competent receivers like Chris Givens and Nate Washington found new homes this year.

Boldin, who reached 500 receptions faster than any player in the history of the game, made $5.5 million last year. I can sit here and defend Boldin as a productive possession receiver in this league, but I would have to be a special kind of stupid to say that this is the amount of money he deserves.

After absorbing hits since 2003, when he set the record for most receptions in a season by a rookie (101), Boldin wants some cash. After making back-to-back conference championships in 2012 and 2013, he’s suited up for two losing teams. That’s why Boldin, who could still return to San Francisco, is content with taking his time, as reported by CBS Sports’s Jamey Eisenberg.

If I had to take a guess at why the scout would take a potshot at Boldin that is not ground-breaking when it comes to the sentiments echoed, I would say that it’s a sinister negotiating ploy from someone who can hide behind the mask of anonymity.

With 85, 83, and 69 receptions in each of the past three seasons, what if Boldin is the one being choosy? Perhaps he remains unsigned because he wants to wait for an offer closer to his asking price, content with his accomplishments on the field and the fact that he can afford to stand pat until someone gives into his demands.

As the first link above says, the 49ers are “taking time” in negotiations, because both Boldin and potential suitors know that their is no rush. He’s a pro who has been in this league for a long time, so he doesn’t need to jump right in to the playbook and potentially steal reps from young players who need the offseason more.

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By talking down Boldin, the pressure on him to sign a deal could be increased, because diminishing his value could force him to take a deal he currently views as being sub-maximal. I doubt that will be the case, because, again, Boldin is a three-time Pro Bowler with a ring. There’s no pressure, and he knows that he can still bring it on Sundays.