Boldin and Peppers move; Vegas books adjust odds

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The Arizona Cardinals have agreed to trade Anquan Boldin to the Baltimore Ravens, multiple media outlets reported on Friday.

According to ESPN, the Ravens sent a third- and fourth-round pick in this year's draft to the Cardinals in exchange for Boldin and a fifth-round selection this year.

ESPN also reported that the Ravens have agreed to a three-year contract extension with Boldin worth $25 million.

Boldin, who along with Larry Fitzgerald has formed one of the most lethal receiving combinations in recent years, has openly complained about his contract issues the past two seasons.

One of the league's toughest receivers, Boldin, has been beset by numerous injuries but has still managed to churn out five 1,000-yard seasons in seven years with the Cardinals.

The 29-year-old Boldin is coming off an 84-catch and 1,024-yard season in 2009. He has totaled 586 receptions and 44 touchdowns in his career.

Baltimore had already boosted its receiving corps with the addition of Donte Stallworth in late February.

Sean Van Patten of the Las Vegas Sports Consultants said they won't be adjusting the odds until Saturday morning but expects there to be significant movement

"We currently have Baltimore listed at 11/1 to win the AFC championship, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it dropping down to the 9/1 range," he said. "Boldin's a strong receiver that fits that team well - a tough, over-the-middle guy who will make (Joe) Flacco better."

The LVSC have Baltimore posted as a 24/1 favorite to win the Super Bowl next season, but Van Patten said that could drop to as low as 20/1 by tomorrow.

In other NFL trade day news, the Chicago Bears landed perhaps the most coveted agent on the free-agent market, signing defensive end Julius Peppers to a six-year contract.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, although ESPN said Peppers is expected to earn approximately $40 million in the first three years of the contract.

The signing came shortly after the Bears locked up running back Chester Taylor to a four-year contract.

"A big difference between [Taylor] and some of the other 30-year-old running backs out there is that he doesn't have the wear and tear because his carries were limited (over the past few seasons)," Van Patten said. "I think he is a perfect fit for the Mike Martz style of offense."

Peppers had spent his entire eight-year career with the Carolina Panthers, who chose not to use the franchise player tag on him.

Last season, Peppers had 10.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. The five-time Pro Bowler has 81 sacks in his career.

"We were sitting at the Bears 14/1 to win the NFC championship, but I could see them dropping down to 12/1 and maybe even 11/1 on the extreme side," said Van Patten.

For the Super Bowl, the LVSC currenly has Chicago posted at 28/1 but Van Patten said he expects it to move down to 25/1 on Saturday.