Anquan Boldin is spending as much time on his basketball game these days as he is catching passes. That's because he doesn't want to embarrass himself on the court with his friends.
Boldin, a standout wide receiver with the Arizona Cardinals, will host a charity basketball game for his foundation as part of the annual Q-Fest Weekend Celebration from April 10-12 in Boldin's hometown of Pahokee, Fla.
Scheduled to attend are several of the NFL's best players, including Randy Moss, Chad Johnson, Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis, Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Reggie Wayne and Matt Leinart.
The event is designed to raise money for the Anquan Boldin Foundation Q81 Scholarship Fund, which is awarded yearly to help graduating high school students attend college and create a brighter future for themselves and their families. The foundation also offers scholarships and assistance to other youths in select schools in various demographics and ethnic groups.
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Anquan Boldin's success in 2008 will rest largely in the hands of Matt Leinart.
(US Presswire)
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The weekend is important to Boldin, and he hopes everyone has a good time while helping a worthy cause. He also takes the basketball game seriously, even if it's just for fun.
When asked who the best basketball player is, Boldin replied, "Of course me. After me it's a toss-up."
Boldin also will tell you he's the best wide receiver in the NFL, but he didn't get a chance to prove it last year. He was beset by injuries nearly all season and finished with only 71 catches for 853 yards and nine touchdowns.
The touchdowns were a career high, but his catches and yards were the second-lowest totals of his five-year career. That's because he only appeared in 12 games due to a hip injury suffered in Week 3 and a dislocated toe suffered in Week 13.
He missed three games with the hip injury, but it lingered all season. The toe injury cost him one game, but Boldin said recent tests showed "progress has been made" and surgery wasn't required. He's been able to work out all offseason and feels fine now.
"I'm doing pretty good," Boldin said. "I never really got to 100 percent with the hip injury. The doctors and trainers told me the best thing to do is rest, which is hard for me to do. But now I'm feeling a lot better. I'm ready."
Boldin is excited about this upcoming season, which will be the Cardinals second under coach Ken Whisenhunt. Boldin was impressed with Whisenhunt's offensive system, and Boldin said he and Fitzgerald should thrive in 2008. He likes the diversity of the offense and hopes to get a few more carries at running back this season.
"I feel like this is a big year for me," Boldin said. "Last year they used me well. They used me inside, outside, out of the backfield. I was able to do a lot.
"When I'm healthy, I'm one of the best wide receivers in the NFL."
Boldin has the credentials to make that statement. He already has two years with over 100 catches and three seasons with at least 1,200 receiving yards.
If he can break double digits in touchdowns, which he is clearly capable of, he would become an elite Fantasy option. But there's always a drawback with Boldin and Fitzgerald, another dominant wide receiver, and that's at quarterback.
Leinart has been named the starter heading into 2008, but he struggled as a rookie in 2006. Leinart was again inconsistent to start his sophomore season last year before suffering a broken collarbone in Week 5.
Leinart was replaced by Kurt Warner, who played well, but he will be 37 in June. It's obvious Leinart is Arizona's quarterback of the future, but Warner would be the better Fantasy option.
Boldin said "I don't have a preference" when asked who should start, but he realizes Warner is a better quarterback right now because of his experience.
"Kurt is big on timing, which is good for me," Boldin said. "When Kurt is in there, the ball is there as soon as I come out of my route. I always tell him to just put the ball two feet off the ground and I'll go get it."
Boldin does expect Leinart to improve this season.
"Matt is a great talent," Boldin said. "He started over with a new system last year and was starting to find his way before getting hurt. This year, Matt is our guy. When Matt is in there he's poised and controlled. No matter who is in there we can be successful. We have a great supporting cast."
That supporting cast includes James, who is still a reliable Fantasy running back even though he will turn 30 in August. But how good the offense is will depend on Leinart, who should be drafted as a No. 2 Fantasy passer.
Leinart has a chance to be successful because of his receivers. Fitzgerald, who just became the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL with his new four-year, $40 million deal, is a stud. Look for him to prove he's worth the money with an outstanding year.
And Boldin, who would like to be paid among the top at his position as well, will also be looking for a big season in 2008. It should be expected, and Boldin's goals this year are simple.
First, go out and shine in the charity basketball game. Then dominate the NFL.
