For the past five days, seemingly everyone has forgotten about Anquan Boldin’s off-season and training camp squawking about wanting a new contract. Unfortunately, it took one of the most violent collisions in recent NFL memory to change people’s focus.

Boldin is fine after being bludgeoned by Jets’ safety Eric Smith in the waning moments of the Cardinals’ 56-35 loss at the Meadowlands. I don’t know how, but he is. He proved that he could very well be the toughest S.O.B. on the face of the Earth.

Boldin is unlikely to play on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. But he’ll be there, watching. And one of the players he will be watching is Lee Evans, Buffalo’s star receiver.

If you don’t know much about Lee Evans, he’ll be the guy wearing number 83 for the Bills, and he’ll also be the one recognizable by the oodles of money coming out of his uniform pants. Evans just signed a 4-year extension worth $37.25 million, making him the 3rd highest paid receiver in football, behind Carolina’s Steve Smith and Larry Fitzgerald of the Cardinals.

Now, how do you feel if you’re Anquan Boldin? Especially 5 days after you could have had your career ended while wearing a Cardinals’ uniform.

As much as I hate players voicing disenchantment over making millions of dollars for playing a game, Boldin probably now, more than ever, has the right to do a little talking. Let’s face it, he’s a much better receiver than Lee Evans. Boldin’s career numbers dwarf those of Evans…

Boldin has 440 career receptions for 5824 yards and 34 touchdowns in his 6 years in the NFL, Evans has caught 247 balls for 4059 yards and 30 scores. Even this season, Boldin has 27 catches for 366 yards and a league-leading 5 touchdowns to Evans’ 14 receptions for 332 yards and 1 td. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that this was the last year of Evans’ rookie contract signed in 2004, while Boldin has this and 2 years remaining on a contract extension he signed in 2005.

I’ll never begrudge an NFL player for getting as much money as a team will give him. Good for Lee Evans. I’ll never say a player deserves $37.25 million, but Evans found somebody willing to give it to him. Players in the NFL are warriors who risk their future health each and every time they step out on to the field.

I think I have a solution for the NFL, and other sports as well, for that matter. STOP PUBLICIZING PLAYER SALARIES! All it does is alienate the average Joes in your fan base who spend a hefty percentage of their own salaries to support your product, and encourages millionaires to engage in pissing contests to see who can make the most money.

But we all know that will never happen. So go ahead Anquan and Drew, start talking again.

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