With the Lions last year he was a third down maestro, with Marvin Jones and Golden Tate doing the brunt of the work in the passing game.

Boldin is 14th in NFL history in receptions -- higher than several Hall of Famers (Art Monk being a compelling one due the similarity in their roles).

Universal respect, a stellar off-the-field record and, of course, one sterling Super Bowl appearance with the Ravens in which he had over 100 yards receiving and a touchdown.

Fitzgerald, who is undoubtedly a future Hall of Famer, was always "the guy" in Arizona, and those were Boldin's most dominant years.

Isaac Bruce being passed over is proof of that -- Torry Holt probably infringed on his bid too -- and there will be more and more examples of it in the near future.