Could Anquan Boldin find happiness as a Cardinal after all?

By MJD

According to ProFootballTalk.com, the ice cold relationship between Anquan Boldin and the Arizona Cardinals could perhaps be thawed out a little bit. As always, the warming agent that would be responsible for the thaw would be a gigantic pile of money.

Boldin's been mad at the Cardinals for some time because he's making less than $3 million a year, he wants a new contract, and they haven't given him one. Meanwhile, his partner in crime, Larry Fitzgerald, is making about $10 millon a year. Boldin's made it no secret that he wanted out after this season, but, that may not be the case anymore. From PFT:

A league source tells us that Boldin has informed the team that he is now willing to consider a new deal — if it pays him fairly in light of the existing market.

Though no specific numbers have emerged, the Cardinals established the market last year by signing Larry Fitzgerald to a four-year, $40 million contract. Other wideouts (like Randy Moss of the Patriots) are being paid at an annual rate of $9 million.

The question becomes whether the Cardinals are willing to devote so much money to the receiver position.

Of course, this is easy to say when it's not my money on the table, but I believe it's in the Cardinals' best interests to pay the man. The strength of their team is at the receiver position, and when you've got two young studs like Boldin and Fitzgerald on the field, you've got an advantage over every secondary in football. That's just not the kind of thing you give up unless you absolutely have to.