Now the Cardinals are shopping Boldin again and will take less in a trade, just one year later. Boldin is an unrestricted free agent next off-season and has publicly said he wants to leave Arizona for the past two seasons.
After a season of injuries and one year left on his deal, Boldin's trade stock has dropped. Last off-season, the Cardinals wanted a first and a third round pick for Boldin. Now, sources say, they want a second but teams may be able to get him for a third and some change.
The Cardinals don't have a need for Boldin now that Steve Breaston has emerged as a reliable starter. Boldin is seeking Larry Fitzgerald money, four-year $40 million.
Boldin, 29, has struggled to stay healthy his whole career. The Baltimore Ravens and the Miami Dolphins are the top teams rumored to be interested in acquiring Boldin.
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The Super Bowl champ has hosted the season opener since 2004. Besides the Vikings, other possible opponents on the Saints' home schedule are the Falcons, Panthers, Buccaneers, Rams, Seahawks, Browns and Steelers.
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Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, citing league sources, said the 49ers are poised to use the tag on Franklin if no multiyear agreement is in place by the Feb. 25 deadline for the franchise designation. The price tag for franchised defensive tackles is $7 million for 2010.
Franklin has long appeared headed for franchise-tag status. He acknowledged the possibility as he packed his belongings after a season-ending victory against the St. Louis Rams.
"I'd like to be back here, but me and my agent are going to sit down and talk and look at the possibilities of the franchise tag,'' Franklin said. "We'll figure out the possibilities. "... I enjoy playing with these guys, and I feel like we have a really good defense."
Franklin, 29, is coming off his finest season since signing as an unrestricted free agent from Baltimore in 2007. A stalwart against the run, Franklin helped the 49ers finish sixth in the NFL in rushing yards allowed.
More important to his teammates is Franklin's willingness to do the dirty work. The 6-foot-1, 317-pound lineman eats up blockers, which allows linebackers such as Patrick Willis to roam free. Willis campaigned hard for the 49ers to find a way to secure Franklin's return for 2010.
"I pray to God that they keep Aubrayo,''
Willis said. "The coaches already know where my heart is. I say he's the best nose in the game.
"People say, 'Man, Pat, you make a lot of plays.' But I make a lot of plays because of those three guys up front, especially Aubrayo."
It's possible the 49ers will continue to work on a long-term contract for Franklin until the Feb. 25 deadline. But a source told Schefter that it's doubtful any such deal could be struck.
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