Hapless Bills Fan Posted August 22, 2017 Posted August 22, 2017 Uhh...what? He's retiring because...Kaepernick? Or Charlottesville? Charlottesville, although he didn't name it. "things that transpired over the last week or so" I have much respect for Boldin. Much respect. He had a cousin killed by a LEO in Florida. As a result, he lobbied two senators to introduce a police reform bill. He has testified before Congress. All of this quietly, looking for ways to make a difference and using whatever fame he has to open doors and make more of a difference, without courting publicity or controversy.
Hapless Bills Fan Posted August 22, 2017 Posted August 22, 2017 I call the reasons he explained in the article as mostly B.S - just an excuse. In reality..... The guy was wishy washy about signing to begin with. Then the Bills make personnel moves that make Boldin and other veterans question management's/coaches'/owners' intent for this season. And Beane trades the guy that was probably half the reason they wanted to sign Boldin in the first place. Then Boldin spends a few weeks practicing here and plays in a preseason game in which the Bills looked like they could be bottom dwellers in the league. Yeah. You can see how it came to him walking away. All I know is, it takes some major motivation to walk away from a couple million dollars - even if you have millions in the bank. Major life decision for that guy. Because you can change a lot of lives with an extra couple million. And it's not like he wouldn't be able to do his good deeds while playing. And how much worse off would the world really be if Boldin waited another 6 months to begin his full time crusade to save humanity from racism? As if he really believes that he is going to make that much difference in the coming weeks and months compared to waiting till his season is over in January. I guess he plans on fixing the world in the next 6 months. Talk about ambitious. I cal bullsh.. Just B.S. excuses. If he was that hell bent on his humanitarian pursuits - no way he ever signs with Buffalo in the first place. Truth is, the Bills gave him enough reasons to walk away from $1.75 million guaranteed + bonuses + playing football. It's just another log to throw on Beane's future funeral pyre if the team doesn't find any success in the next couple seasons. You have some valid points, but I disagree with you on a couple of them. "It's not like he wouldn't be able to do his good deeds while playing". I think to be successful at football, during the football season, requires 100%. Yeah, can maybe fit in an autograph signing or a visit to a children's hospital or lend your name to something, but nothing that requires real energy and focus and significant time. The guys who are part football and part modeling (*cough* SJ13) or part football and part track (*cough* Flash Goodwin *cough*) never make it to a high level. Time will tell, what Boldin has in mind, but if he really feels moved to go more into social activism, and he knows what it takes for him to be a contributing player, he probably does have to "pick either or not both". And I certainly respect him for not taking social activism onto the football field a la CK in controversial, but ultimately hollow gestures. "How much worse off would humanity be if..." I don't think you should underplay the profound effect that Charlottesville has had on some people. You may not agree, but a lot of people have seen this as a moment where normally placid, politically neutral people have a bit of their ginger up saying "oh woaoa now that's just too f***ing much". And history says those are moments to seize, not to wait around for six months. A lot of the rest of what you say I agree with - that he was wishy-washy about signing in the first place, that Bills' personnel decision to trade Watkins and the team's performance in preseason may have influenced his retirement, I think are very likely true. But they can be true, without the above being false or BS, right?
Coach Tuesday Posted August 22, 2017 Posted August 22, 2017 @SalSports McDermott says "it's a fair question" if Bills would have traded Sammy knowing Boldin's decision. But says "two separate entities." Already hedging, it seems...
Delete This Account Posted August 22, 2017 Posted August 22, 2017 I call the reasons he explained in the article as mostly B.S - just an excuse. In reality..... The guy was wishy washy about signing to begin with. Then the Bills make personnel moves that make Boldin and other veterans question management's/coaches'/owners' intent for this season. And Beane trades the guy that was probably half the reason they wanted to sign Boldin in the first place. Then Boldin spends a few weeks practicing here and plays in a preseason game in which the Bills looked like they could be bottom dwellers in the league. Yeah. You can see how it came to him walking away. All I know is, it takes some major motivation to walk away from a couple million dollars - even if you have millions in the bank. Major life decision for that guy. Because you can change a lot of lives with an extra couple million. And it's not like he wouldn't be able to do his good deeds while playing. And how much worse off would the world really be if Boldin waited another 6 months to begin his full time crusade to save humanity from racism? As if he really believes that he is going to make that much difference in the coming weeks and months compared to waiting till his season is over in January. I guess he plans on fixing the world in the next 6 months. Talk about ambitious. I cal bullsh.. Just B.S. excuses. If he was that hell bent on his humanitarian pursuits - no way he ever signs with Buffalo in the first place. Truth is, the Bills gave him enough reasons to walk away from $1.75 million guaranteed + bonuses + playing football. It's just another log to throw on Beane's future funeral pyre if the team doesn't find any success in the next couple seasons. I fully disagree with your opinion. jw
PolishDave Posted August 22, 2017 Posted August 22, 2017 You have some valid points, but I disagree with you on a couple of them. "It's not like he wouldn't be able to do his good deeds while playing". I think to be successful at football, during the football season, requires 100%. Yeah, can maybe fit in an autograph signing or a visit to a children's hospital or lend your name to something, but nothing that requires real energy and focus and significant time. The guys who are part football and part modeling (*cough* SJ13) or part football and part track (*cough* Flash Goodwin *cough*) never make it to a high level. Time will tell, what Boldin has in mind, but if he really feels moved to go more into social activism, and he knows what it takes for him to be a contributing player, he probably does have to "pick either or not both". And I certainly respect him for not taking social activism onto the football field a la CK in controversial, but ultimately hollow gestures. "How much worse off would humanity be if..." I don't think you should underplay the profound effect that Charlottesville has had on some people. You may not agree, but a lot of people have seen this as a moment where normally placid, politically neutral people have a bit of their ginger up saying "oh woaoa now that's just too f***ing much". And history says those are moments to seize, not to wait around for six months. A lot of the rest of what you say I agree with - that he was wishy-washy about signing in the first place, that Bills' personnel decision to trade Watkins and the team's performance in preseason may have influenced his retirement, I think are very likely true. But they can be true, without the above being false or BS, right? It is entirely possible that Charlottesville was the final straw that broke the camel's back. I get how emotional people get over that stuff. Even so, I can't imagine it being the primary reason. In my opinion, the timing of it allowed him to use it as THE excuse when it was likely just one of multiple factors. It allowed him to bury any discussion about his situation in Buffalo because nobody is ever going to push him hard about it. (nor should they) He knows darn well that whatever he does in the next 6 months could be done starting in January. And that measly $1.75 million he gave up could have been used in some productive way to promote his anti-racism pursuits - or used in any other way he saw fit for that matter. I fully disagree with your opinion. You're entitled to. Care to explain why?
26CornerBlitz Posted August 22, 2017 Posted August 22, 2017 @JaySkurski The #Bills annnounced that Anquan Boldin was officially placed on the reserve/retired list today.
reddogblitz Posted August 22, 2017 Posted August 22, 2017 I take him at his word. I don't have any reason not to. He has put his money and time where his mouth is all along. I wish him the best in what he's working on now. Even if he did look like and old, slow Herman Munster out there last week.
RobRyanFan Posted August 22, 2017 Posted August 22, 2017 @JaySkurski The #Bills annnounced that Anquan Boldin was officially placed on the reserve/retired list today. IIRC, this means that the Bills maintain his rights and he can't sign with anyone else during the season.
26CornerBlitz Posted August 22, 2017 Posted August 22, 2017 IIRC, this means that the Bills maintain his rights and he can't sign with anyone else during the season. Exactly.
26CornerBlitz Posted August 22, 2017 Posted August 22, 2017 @JonScottTV #Bills react to Anquan Boldin retiring and begin moving forward to fill void both on and off the field. https://twitter.com/i/videos/tweet/900089075981537282
Saxum Posted August 23, 2017 Posted August 23, 2017 Well, that's not going to be a popular opinion.... but I tend to agree with you on most of it. No it is going to be a very popular position; sour mash is one the staples of Bills fandom now. I think he made a mistake - he could have done more for cause by being on the field, having a sign on field and sponsors donating money per catch. Visibility helps cause unless you are like Kap and insult people who might support you. You're entitled to. Care to explain why? Being sour sells more. Has been driving force since he returned to Buffalo.
3rdand12 Posted August 23, 2017 Posted August 23, 2017 i have moved on. Wasn't really that difficult. But i am a rather aloof person by nature. Go Bills !
Augie Posted August 23, 2017 Posted August 23, 2017 It seems I may have retired with nobody noticing. Must suck to get all this attention.
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted August 23, 2017 Posted August 23, 2017 45 pages on Anquan Boldin. What did he ever do for the Buffalo Bills? (but waste time) Nothing to warrant such devotion.
Riverboat Richie Posted August 23, 2017 Posted August 23, 2017 I think he knew it was time to leave. His body was not going to hold up over the course of the season. He set himself up for doing something when the time came to leave the game. The time has arrived. Like a lot of us, he doesn't want to admit he's getting old and can't do things the way he use to.
buffaloboyinATL Posted August 23, 2017 Posted August 23, 2017 Of course, less than 2 weeks ago Boldin was "all-in" here. I can see him signing with the Steelers, Raiders, Pats**, New Orleans, Falcons, etc. if for some reason they need a red-zone target later on. That's the part that gets me. I saw an interview where he said," it may have taken me a bit to make the decision to sign here but once I commit I am all in. I am 100% committed for the year." Or something along those lines...
Kirby Jackson Posted August 23, 2017 Author Posted August 23, 2017 Will this thread remain active longer than Boldin's Bills career?
Saxum Posted August 23, 2017 Posted August 23, 2017 Will this thread remain active longer than Boldin's Bills career? Why not? Bush's thread lasted longer than his runs backwards.
BADOLBILZ Posted August 23, 2017 Posted August 23, 2017 Will this thread remain active longer than Boldin's Bills career? Boldin's release will be rued when the team misses the playoffs for another 17 consecutive years. They were THISCLOSE!
OldTimeAFLGuy Posted August 23, 2017 Posted August 23, 2017 45 pages on Anquan Boldin. What did he ever do for the Buffalo Bills? (but waste time) Nothing to warrant such devotion. ....shades of Bryant Johnson cometh...............
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