Jeff Wolfson

Boldin frustrated with flag, not lack of catches

by Dan Kolko View Comments

One of the reasons why the Ravens weren't able to put the Bucs away in the third quarter of yesterday's game is because of a block in the back penalty against wide receiver Anquan Boldin, which negated Ray Rice's 76-yard touchdown reception.

Officials ruled that Boldin hit Tampa Bay safety Sabby Piscitelli (great name, by the way) above the waist and spun him around, clearing a hole for Rice to dart through for the touchdown.

The call appeared to be questionable at best.

At worst, what was it, Anquan?

"It wasn't a hold at all, it was a bogus call," Boldin said after the game. "I mean, there's no way you can explain to me that I was holding him."

The Ravens might choose to send in tape of the play to the league office, hoping to get an explanation on why the flag was thrown. But Boldin says that doing so would be pointless.

"I mean, honestly, that doesn't do anything," Boldin said. "The game is over, it's said and done with, so that wouldn't do anything."

Meanwhile, Boldin made just three catches for 27 yards in yesterday's win, and he was only targeted by quarterback Joe Flacco four times overall. This marks the third time in the Ravens' last four games that Boldin has had three or fewer catches and less than 30 receiving yards.

The three-time Pro Bowl receiver has been seeing a lot of bracket coverage from opposing defenses lately, as teams have made it a goal not to let Boldin beat them.

Boldin has struggled to get open as a result, but the double coverage he's seeing has opened up space for fellow wide receiver Derrick Mason and T.J. Houshmandzadeh to operate.

The lack of catches might frustrate some receivers, but Boldin says he isn't concerned about his individual numbers and he isn't irritated that teams continue to roll safeties over to his side of the field.

"No, I'm fine," Boldin said. "As long as we're 8-3, that's all that matters."

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