When the Baltimore Ravens traded away Super Bowl hero Anquan Boldin to the San Francisco 49ers many were surprised, but after the injury to Michael Crabtree earlier in the offseason, the move appears to be one of the best made by any team.

Boldin has been stepping up in workouts and practice since Crabtreee went down and he has been a stalwart for the team as they deal with a wide receiving corps that is growing thinner by the way, as Mario Manningham is also dealing with injuries. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been working with Boldin, who said that he has spoken with Crabtree to make sure he is in a good head as he tries to recover from his injuries.

Boldin was an essential player for the Ravens in the playoffs and now he is the top receiver for the 49ers, as first round pick from last year AJ Jenkins never made a catch and the rest of the position is unproven ahead of injured Manningham. Crabtree could be out for a year with his injury, meaning Boldin must step up for the team this season. Kyle Williams is also coming off of a knee injury that will keep him sidelined, adding even more pressure to Boldin. Last season he had over 900 yards and 65 catches for the Ravens and he had six catches for 104 yards and a TD in Baltimore's 34-31 win over San Francisco in the Super Bowl.

Boldin has been picking up the offense quickly and now the team is working on ways to make up for the lost production.  Crabtree was the leading receiver for the team last year while working with Kaepernick, making 85 receptions for 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns, all career highs.

"I've been through injuries. I know how it is," Boldin told reporters, according to the San Jose Mercury News "I fractured my face, tore my ACL. It can be a pretty lonely time, at times you think people forget about you. You feel unwanted at times because you're not around guys and a lot of people don't call anymore."