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Baltimore Ravens: Reuniting with Anquan Boldin is a Must

By Mitchell Wolfman

Dec 11, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Anquan Boldin (80) runs after a catch during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Lions win 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Anquan Boldin (80) runs after a catch during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Lions win 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Proven chemistry with Flacco

Anquan Boldin was the closest thing Joe Flacco has had to a true no. 1 receiver. The chemistry developed between Flacco and Boldin was unparalleled to any other Ravens receiver and the proof exists in the numbers. Flacco recorded two of his highest single-season quarterback ratings in Boldin’s first three seasons in Baltimore. The confidence Flacco displayed in Boldin is what allowed him to excel his historic 2012 post-season run, as 4 of his 11 TDs were caught to Boldin. When it’s said and done, Steve Smith Sr. may have been the best wide receiver to dress up in a Ravens uniform. But when it comes to the most impacting receiver during the John Harbaugh era, Boldin takes the cake.

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In 2016, the Ravens ranked 23rd in the league in third down conversion percentage with a mediocre average of 36.91%. They also ranked 19th in red zone scoring percentage while cashing in on only 52.17% of their trips. Flacco’s poor play last season was definitely a big reason for such low numbers but at the same time, he had minimal personnel to work with. As mentioned before, Breshad Perriman and Mike Wallace are known for their speed and route running but have never established consistent red zone ability. Smith Sr. played a good chuck of the season injured and wasn’t given many opportunities to hit pay dirt.

No one should expect Boldin to return to the form that Ravens fans love and remember. But in terms of moving the chains and finding the end zone, Boldin can definitely fulfill that role. The Ravens are desperate for a receiver to the dirty work, someone to make tough, contested catches in crucial moments and give Joe Flacco a best friend in times of trouble. Boldin can do all that and much more.

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