The formula is getting as predictable as it is getting old.  Player wants more money.  Player, through agent, tries to get more money behind the scenes.  When effort to get more money fails, player, through agent, asks for a trade behind the scenes.

And then, when request for trade is rejected, player, or agent, takes it public.

The names change, but the circumstances don’t.  Clinton Portis.  Mike McKenzie.  Terrell Owens.  Javon Walker.  Lance Briggs.  Kellen Winslow.  Chad Johnson.  Jeremy Shockey.  Darnell Dockett. 

Now, it’s Anquan Boldin.  According to Adam Schefter of NFL Network, the Arizona receiver has met with the Cardinals and informed them that he wants out.  The Cardinals have told him that it won’t happen.

Surprisingly, the Cards haven’t slammed the door on signing Boldin, who is under contract through 2010, to a new deal.  But, let’s face it, with so much money tied up in Larry Fitzgerald’s four-year, $40 million extension, there won’t nearly be as much for Boldin.     

And so it continues.

With the draft coming in less than four days, teams should include in their assessment of the talent pool one very important factor:  Whether the player they’re thinking about drafting might eventually be the next name on this list.