| The Boldin file |
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College: Florida State
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Position: Defensive end
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Height: 6-0
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Weight: 205
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Year: Sophomore
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1999 stats:
Receptions - 12
Yards - 115
TDs - 2
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The scoop: Trying to fill the shoes of Peter Warrick and give the 'Noles a threat at the WR spot are priority number one.
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Bobby Bowden admits it: He loves quarterbacks. Even if a player never takes a snap for him, Florida State's coach embraces the idea of a roster full of high school quarterbacks.
"Because you know if they played quarterback they understand the game, and you know they're pretty good athletes," Bowden said.
Anquan Boldin fits both. And it is not coincidence that the man Boldin will try to help FSU replace also made some noise as a high school quarterback. Guy named Peter Warrick.
"Kind of funny, huh?" FSU offensive coordinator Mark Richt said.
Boldin, a sophomore, arrived at Florida State last fall as an all-state quarterback and took a few snaps behind Chris Weinke before coaches moved him to receiver. He took no time to make an immediate impression.
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| Anquan Boldin(Allsport) | |
In FSU's 1999 season-opening victory over Louisiana Tech, Boldin caught two passes, both for touchdowns, one on an acrobatic play against an on-guard defensive back.
Unfortunately for Boldin, the rest of '99 was less spectacular. The first two scoring passes were his only two. He finished the season with 12 receptions for 115 yards, and an ankle injury hampered some of his progress.
Game days, though, were the least of his learning. Florida State's coaches asked Warrick, an All-American, to take Boldin under his wing. They asked Boldin to shadow Warrick, to learn how hard great players work at becoming -- and remaining -- great.
"I learned so much I can't even tell you," Boldin said. "Pete showed me the ropes. Now it's my turn to grow and then show some other people the ropes."
Boldin is one of several candidates to fill the statistical void left by Warrick. He is also one of the biggest. At 6-2, 205 pounds, Boldin presents Weinke with his biggest downfield target. And opponents are forewarned: To paraphrase receivers coach Jeff Bowden, "Weinke didn't return for his senior year to hand the ball off."
"I think we're going to throw and have as much fun this year as we did last year -- maybe more," Boldin said. "I'm excited. I'm happy about it. I think it's going to be special."
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