SANTA CLARA – Anquan Boldin spoke with Bay Area reporters Wednesday afternoon in the 49ers’ locker room for the first time as a 49er. Here’s what he said.
Q: What was your reaction when you found out you got traded to the 49ers?
BOLDIN: Kind of shocked initially. I really didn’t expect to be traded, especially from the conversations I had with the Ravens before I left to Africa. So initially it was shocking, but once all of that wears off you get to examine the situation. For me, it’s great. I come to an organization that’s known for winning. An organization that’s all about their players. An organization that’s right on the cusp. Hopefully I can come here and bring something to the table.
Q: What do you bring to this team?
BOLDIN: I bring leadership. I bring a passion for the game. I only know how to play this game one way, and that’s all out. I think that’s exactly what the fans will get from me.
Q: How much research have you been able to do on the 49ers’ offense and who you’re going to be lining up with?
BOLDIN: I’ve been able to do a little bit. I think when you find out that you’re traded, you start to look into the situation and see what you guys have as a team. The one thing I can say is that this team lacks nothing. A very talented team. Obviously, it’s a team I played against in the Super Bowl, so it’s a team that right there. A team that’s going to be competitive for years to come.
Q: What about Colin Kaepernick?
BOLDIN: Had a chance to talk to him. Excited to get to work with him. Special kid. Smart kid. Very athletic. Hopefully I can help him to grow as a quarterback.
Q: The two games you played against the 49ers when Jim Harbaugh was their coach, what struck you as different about them as compared to when you played the 49ers when you were on the Cardinals?
BOLDIN: I just saw a team that pretty much mirrored us in Baltimore. Very physical team. A team that did the basics well. Wasn’t going to beat themselves. Just had talented players all around, offensively and defensively. One thing I saw is they were a team that was going to run the ball. They were going to try to impose their will on you, but also have playmakers on the outside. They have a stout defense that was a challenge for any offense.
Q: Have you compared the Harbaugh brothers yet, or have you not been around Jim enough?
BOLDIN: No, I haven’t met Jim yet. We’ll see how that goes.
Q: Did John warn you?
BOLDIN: No (laughs).
Q: When do you expect to meet him?
BOLDIN: Soon. Hopefully soon.
Q: When did you talk to Colin?
BOLDIN: When I got back from Africa I got in touch with him just to see how he was doing, see what he was up to, figure out when we can get together and start working on our chemistry.
Q: Figure anything out?
BOLDIN: Not yet. We’re still talking. My situation has been a little busy. We’ll figure something out.
Q: Is something you want to do, start catching passes from him and working on that chemistry?
BOLDIN: Yeah, I think that’s very important, for a quarterback and a receiver to be on the same page. That’s something that doesn’t just happen overnight. Whenever you see a quarterback and a receiver on the same page, that means they’ve spent time together. That’s something that I want to do.
Q: Did you do that with Joe Flacco when you got traded to Baltimore?
BOLDIN: Yeah.
Q: You guys worked out before minicamps?
BOLDIN: We worked out during OTAs, and after OTAs when everybody was gone we kind of spent time together as well.
Q: How long do you think it was before you got comfortable with that relationship with Flacco, before you felt you really had a strong rapport with him?
BOLDIN: It differs from quarterback to receiver. When I think about me and Jeff Blake, we kind of hit it off right off the bat. Me and Josh McCown – same thing. And then there are some other quarterbacks where it takes longer to develop. There has to be a trust factor there. The thing that you with me and Flacco last year – like I said, it didn’t just happen overnight. It took probably a year for us to get on the same page and for him to have complete trust with me. Hopefully me and Colin can get together and kind of shorten that window.
Q: Both Joe and Colin have strong arms. Are you comfortable catching those high-speed bullets?
BOLDIN: I’ve played with some big-armed quarterbacks over the years. As far as catching hard balls, that won’t be a problem.
Q: Did the Ravens lead you to believe that you were going to come back?
BOLDIN: I don’t think they led me to believe that I would be back, I just thought at some point we would try to work things out one way or another. I talked to Coach Harbaugh that Friday before I left, and we were saying we’ll see what we can do. I don’t think they led me on. I don’t have anything bad to say about the Ravens at all. It’s been a great organization. They’ve been great to me and my family. The fans have been tremendous. I think the only regret that I have is not being able to say goodbye the way that I would have liked to.
Q: Do you have plans to come spend time out here in the offseason?
BOLDIN: That will be important for me and my family, because any time you move it’s a big transition. For me, my wife and my kids, we’re going to try to get out here and find a place to level. Definitely want to get acclimated to the area before the season starts.
Q: How familiar are you with Michael Crabtree, and do you see any similarities between his game and your style?
BOLDIN: I’ve just watched him over the years. I think he’s a very talented young receiver. I think the sky’s the limit for him. I don’t know him personally, but I’m excited to get to work with him.
Q: You have familiarity with this division, so that should make your transition easier, right?
BOLDIN: Yeah, I think so. Been in this division for seven years, so I pretty much know the lay of the land.
Q: You haven’t played any team more than you’ve played the 49ers. Have you developed relationships with guys on defense?
BOLDIN: Over the years playing against them, there’s definitely a mutual respect that you develop, just because guys on both sides are competitive. You see how hard guys work and how good they are as athletes. You tend to have that respect for them.
Q: Do you expect to wear No.81?
BOLDIN: Yeah.
Q: Do you anticipate anything changing with you contract as far as a possible extension or restructuring?
BOLDIN: I haven’t heard of anything right now.
Q: You’ll play with the contract you have this year?
BOLDIN: At this point.
Q: There’s only one more year left on the contract. Would you like to have more on the end of it?
BOLDIN: Definitely. I think anytime you go somewhere you don’t want to be there for just a year. You definitely want to know that you’re wanted. You want to feel like that’s home. You don’t want to feel like it’s just a stop.
49ers RSS feed
Loading ...
Well if you’re here for more than 1 year. That’s awesome because you had an outstanding year. This guy is going to be a staple in an explosive offense. And an offense that will be more explosive than Seattle’ or Denver’s, or New England’s, or GB’s. mark my words. This will be the number 1 offense next season. So explosive its going to look easy.
> Your comment about Boldin – I agree, just to expand. If he is not a contributing factor and/or he demands more salary the can afford he is out. With that, I hope he can give us a solid 2-3 productive years and retire a 9er. Something like 40-50 catches (half first downs) and 6-8 TDs.
> Your comments about the offense – I agree, you get that feeling. I hope CK doesn’t call into a sophomore slump or have some slow transition with his teammates as new packages are introduced.
*** We really need 2-3 stretch WRs (not TEs) in camp competing for that #2, #3 or #4 spot. Everyone assumes Boldin will be #2 or even Manningham when he returns. I would like to see someone else that can challenge the arm of CK multiple times a game. ***
I don’t think we need a speed reciever to stretch the field. I think our TE and recievers we have now are more than capable of stretching the field. This is a YAC team like the 49ers of old. When the chance is there (and there will be) CK will take it. Bolden is going to help out in the redzone. This guy makes his living down there. MC will be a 1200 yard reciever with ck the whole year. VD will have a bounce back year and a monster one at that, because I believe whoever the other TE will be will be a good blocker and a good route runner with hands not a speedster but a DC’s worst nightmare the TE that gets under your skin. Which will free up VD. I liked the chemistry between MM and CK before his injury. K Williams has the speed to break open and I think it’s one of CK’s favorite targets next season. MC and VD have monster years+Bolden snatching td’s in the redzone+the others doing their part to keep this offense balanced = high flying….. And I think Harbaugh feels and saw something special in this kid he praised today. There is no need to build his confidence with smooth talking like he did with A Smith. I truly think he sees something special.
LMJ and KH will be the threat of the running game. I love Gore but I can see him getting “more rest” this season because these two speedsters are going to go off. Adding them into a two headed attack will be the key to keeping defenses guessing on the option. Yes the 49ers will continue to use the option next season. And I’ll guess about 20% of it every game.
As far as ck having a sophomore slump. I don’t see it happening. One reason…. He won huge games on the road. That my friends is the “IT” factor you just can’t teach. In fact he will surpass last season in a big way. Not many come off the bench and ball like that them fall on their faces. This kid is just a natural superstar. With an offseason to study defensive schemes and already having the speed of the game down. He’s going to be unstoppable. He will also have a solid touch pass.
Buckle up SF because the Kap Train is taking us back to the juggernaut days. Baleeeeee dat!
+1
It is hard to gage JH in interviews. He noted having a feeling about Lockett… is that true or was he caught off guard by the question. Or maybe he is trying to motivate Lockett, and the other WRs… and influence the draft. Or maybe I’m reading too much into it.
Anyway, I think we build our team around CK and draft for depth on the defense. If a phenom RB falls to us, one that can take Gore’s place in 2 years, I would strike… otherwise focus on D.
I think JH was just responding to the possibilities of a kid (Lockette),who is tall and strong and very,very fast and has been doing extra work with Kap in Atlanta while most players are on vacation . And let’s not forget that Lockette turned down an offer to join another teams 53 man roster last season to remain loyal to JH’s 49ers and stay on their PS for considerably less pay than he would have received if he had left.
All those things add up to some very good reasons why a HC would praise a young WR !
@Ninermd
You know how I feel about boldin so I won’t go there ,defense is going to be a big problem, the niners have done nothing to up grade the secondary ,and as I said before don’t expect rookies to come in and save the day not going to happen , Justin smith addressed the team last year before the season started and said the time is !!now!! He knows that windows don’t stay open very long this team shot them selves in the foot two strait years they won’t get another shot for a long time .
This is a football player. Welcome.
I heard today on ESPN, that when John H figured out he couldn’t get to the numbers that Anquan’s wanted, he called Jim and they did the deal in 30 minutes. Maybe urban legend, but……
Good one Tuna
There may be some truth in that, but still had to go through both Baalke and Newsome, neither of which are figure head GM’s.
I just hope we can find 1 blue chip speedster in the draft. We need a home run hitter that can make plays deep. A quick strike threat. We definitely need to trade up. I like Austin. He wont get past 15.
I disagree. J23… By the way how’s it been bro. I’m still hurting over….. Well you know.
Chunk plays and YAC my friend. Just like NE. I just wrote a column.. Lol on the feeling Harbaugh has on this kid he praised today.
Now my tale is he’s not a starter who needs confidence. So why would he build him up? I think he really does see Nd hear some good things about him. And he did run a 4.37 40. That’s lighting. So if they don’t get a reciever harbs must really like this kid.
Anyways I think they have the keys to destroy defenses already on this team. KW and VD CAN stretch the field if need be. I’ve seen them behind defenses quit a bit. #1 offense coming your way next season. Now the defense….. That’s one I worry about a bit.
Man, everyone’s focused on adding speedster WRs to the roster. I want to see Safetys and CBs. We need speedsters with ball skills in our secondary.
Good to see you back bro. The imposter who was using your handle was boring me to no end (lol).
AES,
he was killing me too bro. Lol.
The guy you’re referring to 23 is already on the team. Ricardo Lockette! I mentioned him a few weeks back. It appears JH agreed with me. Cool video on Bleacher Report of JH talking about him. On my phone so I can’t post the link, but Harbs says “there’s something about him, there’s something there, something special”.
Matter of fact I’m gonna copy and paste this post so I can say I told u so! :-)
Just remember, JH says this about everyone. The guy hasn’t played a down and he was on the practice squad, not the active roster. I want to see it, not hear about it. Our WRs were thin come playoff time 2 years in a row. We were outgunned and I don’t want it to happen again.
If you watch the video you can tell Harbs is full of $hit. One of his b.s. moments with the media where he’s just trying too hard to find something to say to the media.
I think JH was just responding to the possibilities of a kid (Lockette),who is tall and strong and very,very fast and has been doing extra work with Kap in Atlanta while most players are on vacation . And let’s not forget that Lockette turned down an offer to join another teams 53 man roster last season to remain loyal to JH’s 49ers and stay on their PS for considerably less pay than he would have received if he had left.
All those things add up to some very good reasons why a HC would praise a young WR !
I don’t think we necessarily need a speedster 23, just a solid WR to complement Crabtree and Boldin. Here’s the two I like:
Marshall WR Aaron Dobson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99lzd57Ib_w
Clemson WR DeAndre Hopkins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVWm9pNiXYY
Dobson is classified as a speedy route-runner while Hopkins is said to be game fast. But if you still would prefer a speedster 23, the team could draft this guy later:
Texas Christian WR Josh Boyce
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tey0mfnNKJI
Kevin Lynch said yesterday, that the speed burner the 9ers want is already on the team….A.J. Jenkins. He said that from his conversations with both Harbaugh and Baalke that he believes they are both still very high on Jenkins.
I know it’s coach speech, but when Harbaugh answered the question about Lockette, he alluded to having a “feeling” that he had something special inside of him irrespective of the physical attributes. Not sure I’ve heard him describe another player that way.
Maybe his “warm, fuzzies” has something to do with Ricardo turning down an opportunity to join another teams 53 to stay with SF….
I read the same thing about Lockette in Maiocco’s blog. If Ricardo develops, he will be the “speedster” we have been waiting for.
True, there is redundant capabilities in Boldin and Crabtree, but Boldin provides red zone size and strength.
Speaking of the Red Zone, let’s hope CK focuses on just Scoring, not fulfilling sideline promises to Crabtree.
I guess I shoulda read a little further before posting about Lockette above!
He also looked like he was just grasping at straws trying to find something to say about the kid. Really it almost seemed like he didn’t really know the kid. Watch it again.
That’s a gritty player right there. He’ll pick up first downs and be a great target in the red zone. I’m looking for big moves in the draft. I’m not so sure our practice squad and backups from last year will make the team. A few maybe but not the most of them. This team needs bodies to sub for our starters without much of a drop off.
A fresh player should be able to go in the game in the 4th quarter and perform as well as the starter at that point, where he’s tired and run down. That’s the true measure in my mind for a real competant back up. They should be able to give you 10-15 plays at the highest level, energy, stamina and form. If we can add those types of players as back ups in the draft, we’ll have a great chance to win it all.
Our team isn’t getting any younger so this is critical.
We are looking for a safety. I say we get this guy to replace whitner soon.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tLIn7dhlH6Y
I am only kidding. He is a friend tho. He will get some looks.
Off topic but worth mentioning…
QB Alex Smith & his wife, Elizabeth, have had an eventful month. The couple welcomed their second son, Hayes Montgomery, today.
Congrats Alex and good luck in KC to you and your Family !
Well at least he’s produced something these last few years.
Nice dig but don’t be surprised if CK doesn’t have as good a year as last year. We need a vet backup QB who is as good at reading defenses as Alex is, and someone who will be “in his ear” giving him the right reads and info.
Don’t listen to Ed from AZ. He’s a Cardinals spy trying to shop some used QBs to us.
Just kidding, Ed.
My Niner family, I am so excited about Boldin! I just have a feeling that Boldin will add a whole different dimension to our offense! Having two very good wide recievers on the red zone or 3rd downs is going to help us! Boldin has the passion and the experience to help our young QB and wide receivers. GO NINERS
Aside from Boldin, who is the other good WR in the redzone?
Shawn – You only see one receiver because of the BB that took out your other eye. Cover that thing up.
Boldin may not have elite speed but he might be the toughest SOB in the NFL. I can’t wait to see him on the field.
I love the scarf
Euro guy sure knows his football :)
Don’t pick on Murray Hewitt, he’s a sharp dressed man.
Coz’ every girl’s crazy ’bout a sharp dressed man.
-ZZ Top
There are several things I like about Boldin. The guy is a consummate pro and has his priorities right. When he gets back from Senegal, does he call the head coach to exchange pleasantries? No. He calls up the guy who is going to matter most to him, the QB. Now my hope is that he and Kaep can build up trust really fast.
Have much respect for Boldin. Hope we can work out a 2 or 3 year extension. Crabs, Boldin, and A.J(or draft prospect)for the future. Don’t think we need to draft a “speed guy”. Tedd Ginn was plenty fast, yet we didn’t go long to him or anyone for the most part. We don’t dial up plays like that(low percentage bombs down field).
Our speed guy is Williams and apparently aj… Our speed guy was decoy last season with randy moss. Now without that threat teams wont play deep as much then our speed guys can really take it to them
Looking forward to the draft…
Grant,
Here’s a question…was the 2012 draft the WORST in 49er history? I know it takes three years fellas, so no need to state the obvious.
Jenkins
L. James
Looney
Fleming
T. Robinson
Slowey
C. Johnson
Nah, there were some doozies back in the late 90′s and early 00′s as well.
Don’t forget the one with Balmer in it Jack.
MidWest, you didn’t like Chilo? Funny, though, if Grant doesn’t re-sign there will be nobody from that draft class on the team. Definately not a memorable draft, though I did like Morgan for where he was picked.
I don’t understand what is so bad about it. We were drafting mostly for depth and of the guys you listed only one of them isn’t still with the team. For a team without a lot of holes to fill I’d say 2012 wasn’t bad at all.
Coffee I agree and They knew Johnson and Looney were injured when they drafted them so they were certainly drafted for the future. Fleming will be like an extra pick this yr. I think it all comes down to A.J. if he becomes a solid pro in his 2nd yr the draft will be a solid but not spectacular one. Looney may be the sleeper here.
If you know it takes three years, then why did you ask the question?
I thought the obvious was agreed on before the 2012 draft; that any player drafted was unlikely to make a huge impact on a team already stacked with talent.
I dunno, Space, I don’t think we can get this group to agree on anything. Like herding cats.
There were Stephen Hill and Coby Fleener factions, the draft a RB & dump Gore faction, the trade up for a RG group, the get-rid-of-Alex-at-all-costs group, etc., etc.
Brotha, so true, but it’s that way on every blog. Still, if everybody agreed there wouldn’t be much discussion going on. I love the herding cats analogy because it’s so easy to visualize, LOL, though. “Pard, go wrangle that siamese . . . no wait, get that tabby climbing the tree . . . now where’d that persian come from, that’s not one of ours!”
I still think the top 4 picks from last year’s draft will become good contributors. James showed in the 2nd half of last season that he’s got a role on this team, and I think Looney will be the starting centre when Goodwin departs. Jenkins I’m still thinking will end up being a decent #2/ #3 WR (though I’m sure most fans will see that as a bust and a guy they should get rid of, as obviously if a 1st rounder isn’t an all pro they are rubbish), and Fleming I can see being a decent backup OLB.
The others, well, I haven’t got as high hopes for them.
Oh Yeah, give him a two year contract that way the 9ers will have a 35 year old receiver . If the 9ers want to compete , they will need to get younger and faster at the scoring positions!
The average age of our receivers is 26. The average age of our running backs is 25. Our starting QB is 25 and our TE average is 26.
Do you still think we need to get younger at the scoring positions?
CC, A 30 old running back is an old guy in football years. A 29 year old TE is on the cusp of being an old guy in football years. And believe it a 32 year old WR is an old guy in Football years.
All the other WRs are either injured or non functional as first string players. VD is 29 and who takes his place on the roster ? And how about Gore, is there a player on the roster who can take over his position?
On my team I want guys in their early to mid 20s who are scoring threats, guys who will be fast on the first day of the season and who are fast on the last day of the season. Just sayin!
In fact we’re about to have the opposite problem. Because the team is so glut with young players in the next two to three years we have a lot of contracts to resign. If we win the SuperBowl in the next year or two we have a large potion of our team that is going to be up for new contracts and will want just won the Super Bowl type money.
Claude,
It’s a more interesting topic than do we want a +1 of Boldin. It’s just an odd draft class … considering the production in year one was entirely L. James…who played in 4 games, rushed for 125 with zero touchdowns.
It’s a more interesting topic than do we want a +1 of Boldin.
We’ll have to agree to disagree on that. You’ve already acknowledged that it’s too soon to judge, so what’s the point judging?
Just because it’s a more interesting topic doesn’t make it relevant. They did what a well ran team would do in the same position, they made picks that could develop into future starters and parlayed many of their draft choices for future picks at better value. They actually did very well from a value standpoint in last years draft.
1. Jenkins was actually drafted very close to where he was projected to go. There were several teams interested in him in the early second round. Expecting big things from him was foolish considering the Niners signed Moss and Manningham before the draft.
2. James was drafted perhaps a little early based upon mock drafts, but he performed well when he got his chance looks like a good player.
3. Looney was a late first, early second round talent that fell to the fourth because of a foot injury. He wasn’t going to play much anyways, so that was excellent value.
4. Flemming was selected where he was projected to go. The verdict is still out on him.
5. Trenton Robinson had a fourth round grade and they got him in the sixth. The verdict is still out on him, but they got good value with the pick.
6. Jason Slowey was thought to have potential, but struggled coming from a small school. Currently on the Raiders practice squad.
7. Cam Johnson was considered anywhere from a second to fourth round selection. The Niners got him in the seventh. The jury is still out, but they got excellent value there.
When you look at the big picture, they did an excellent job of acquiring high value picks while fortifying future drafts. Now that they truly have some needs to fill, they are in position to do just that in large part because of the way they navigated last years draft.
Big P, right on…
And that tucks that topic in and goodnight!
Celek’s not going to give up that #81 without a fight.