Welcome to Baltimore, Anquan

Anquan Boldin is now a Baltimore Raven.  And he’s going to be a Raven for the next four years.

Boldin has signed a three-year extension that will pay him $28 million with $10 million guaranteed over the next four years that will keep him in Baltimore through the 2013 season.

In addition to Boldin, the Ravens get a fifth-round pick from Arizona.  In exchange, the Ravens will send a third- and fourth-round pick to Arizona.

This is a steal for Baltimore.  And part of the reason they were able to get a discount from last year’s rumored asking price of a first- and third-round pick was that Boldin was in the final year of his contract.

“I’m definitely excited,” Boldin said (via BaltimoreRavens.com). “For me, I’ve been hoping for this for a year since I first heard that the Ravens might be interested in me. I even talked with Ray [Lewis] about it a year ago. I really look at this as a great opportunity for me. They love football in Baltimore. I know that from when the Cardinals played there a few years ago. That place was loud, very impressive by the fans. The Ravens play a certain way. They play as hard and as physical as any team in the league, and I want to add to that. I think I play the way they play.”

There is no questioning Boldin’s toughness.  An example is the helmet-to-helmet hit by Jets safety Eric Smith that left him with a broken sinus and wired jaw yet he only missed two games.

Aside from being a tough, physical receiver who’s not afraid to go across the middle and make the tough catch, Boldin is the type of No. 1 receiver this team needs.  He’s tough to tackle with the ball in his hands and he immediately becomes the team’s top receiver with or without the re-signing of Derrick Mason, who’s an unrestricted free agent.

This move is great if/when they re-sign Mason.  It is merely good, however, if they don’t.

The problem last year was with the guys not named Derrick Mason — Mark Clayton, Kelley Washington and Demetrius Williams.  The Ravens couldn’t count on the other receivers on a consistent basis.  With Boldin and without Mason, the same would be true.  They would be able to count on Boldin but not guys like Mark Clayton, who received a second-round tender, and Donte’ Stallworth, who was signed as a free agent after being suspended last year, in 2010.

If Boldin weren’t available via trade, the Ravens should have pursued Brandon Marshall, who is a restricted free agent that received a first-round tender.  That would have provided the Ravens with a receiver that would have been much more productive than any they could have drafted with the 25th pick, which they would have forfeited to the Broncos, despite all of Marshall’s baggage.

With Boldin, however, the Ravens get a good value.  But often the term “value” implies a lack of production, which does not apply to Boldin.

Despite having a down year in 2009, Boldin hauled in 84 passes for 1,024 yards and four touchdowns.  In his seven NFL seasons, Boldin has had five seasons with 1,000+ yards.  Mason has had four 1,000-yard seasons in his five years in Baltimore.

One day into free agency and the Ravens have addressed their biggest need.  Not only does this move help franchise quarterback Joe Flacco, but it provides the Ravens with the flexibility to adhere to their philosophy of choosing the best player available in the first round.

Now, get a deal done for Mason…

Tags: Anquan Boldin, Brandon Marshall, Demetrius Williams, Derrick Mason, Donte Stallworth, Joe Flacco, Kelley Washington, Mark Clayton