Anquan Boldin is one of the Raven’s players who has played in a Super Bowl before. He lost in his last chance. When asked about his second chance to play on the NFL’s biggest stage, Boldin said, “it’s a great feeling. It’s definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity, for me twice though. Definitely want to come back here and finish what I didn’t finish a couple of years ago. “For me, I just want to make it another game. I know there’s a lot that’s going on around the game, but there’s still a game to be played. For me, I’m here for that reason and that reason only. I think I’m a lot more appreciative of everything now. I know this time around I’m able to take it all in and actually see it for what it is.”
Boldin was also asked numerous questions about his QB. The veteran receiver wasted no time in praising the man who throws him the ball saying that “[Joe] is “A great quarterback. Since I’ve been here, people have been questioning whether he’s an elite quarterback. I think over the course of this season, not just the last three weeks, he’s proven that.
Boldin went on to say, “Everything about him [is elite]. First of all, his talent. I don’t think I’ve played with anybody as physically talented as Joe at the quarterback position. Strong arm. I think he’s more athletic than people give him credit for. He’s definitely a lot faster than what people think, but just his decision-making. Over the last couple of years, he’s been given a chance to get us in and out of plays at the line of scrimmage and I think he’s done a great job of doing that.”
Reports that Flacco needed to change his style of play were also put to rest. “I don’t think he’s doing anything different. I just don’t think people were giving him the respect that he was due early on in the season. I think he’s played great all year, but I think just the stage that we’ve been on the last couple of weeks has magnified who Joe is, and I’m glad people get a chance to see him for exactly who he is.”
Flacco, who is generally thought of as a quiet guy, was ousted as a fun-loving guy by his top pass-catcher. “I think for us, it’s funny for us to hear people say that because we get a chance to be around him outside of football. He’s a guy that loves to have fun. He’s not as quiet as you guys think. It’s funny for us to hear you guys say that. He’s a normal person. He loves to have fun, loves to joke around, definitely in the locker room. We enjoy him.”
Boldin also offered up some words of wisdom to his teammates who will be playing in their first Super Bowl. “I think the thing I tried to get across to them is take advantage of the opportunities because the opportunity doesn’t come around often. You look at guys like Ray Lewis. He was able to play in a Super Bowl, but it’s been 13 years since he’s been able to get back. You look at Ed Reed who has been in the league 11 years, it’s his first Super Bowl. A guy like (Terrell) Suggs, same thing, 10 years, first Super Bowl. You want to take advantage of it. Like I told them, there’s going to be a lot of distractions. There’s going to be a lot of things going on around the game, but at the end of the day, on Sunday, you have to play a game and you want to be as prepared as possible to go win that game because the one thing I took away from my first Super Bowl is you don’t want to walk away not holding that trophy. That’s something that sits with you, something that for me, it’s bugged me since that day. I’m glad I’m able to get back here and try to make right on that.”
Boldin and company won’t just be playing for Ray Lewis on Sunday. O.J. Brigance, sr. advisor to player development, has also served as an inspiration to the Ravens. “I think O.J. means a lot to this organization, period. The things that he’s been through, the things that he’s still fighting through, still his willingness to continue to fight, I think everybody in our locker room is inspired by that.”
