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By Darren Urban, Tribune
September 10, 2005
Anquan Boldin sat at his locker after practice earlier this week, leaning back into his stall and looking serene.
The Cardinals receiver’s personal turmoil last season — when he dealt with the drafting of another highprofile receiver in Larry Fitzgerald, a knee injury that kept him out of training camp and six regular-season games, and lingering concerns about a contract extension — has all but washed away.
"If you want to know what you are going to get this year (from me), just look at that season when I was 100 percent," Boldin said.
That would be 2003, when Boldin stormed into the league as a rookie, caught 101 passes for 1,377 yards and eight touchdowns and made the Pro Bowl.
Last season, the contract talks bothered him. But not as much as his injury, that limited him to 56 receptions for 623 yards while he played at what he estimates at around 80 percent.
"Trying to get into game shape when it’s the middle of the season where everybody has 12 weeks advantage on you, it’s tough," Boldin said. "I never was able to catch up."
Now, Boldin feels better than he ever has. He even has trimmed down to 219 pounds, the first time he has been under 220 since he left college.
"Now I am in shape, moving laterally the way I want," Boldin said. "I’m back."
POWER OF THREE
Although coach Dennis Green insists that backup defensive tackle Ross Kolodziej can play defensive end if needed, the Cardinals have only one legitimate reserve defensive end — Calvin Pace — behind starters Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor.
Last season, Green often criticized Pace and there was a possibility the former first-rounder would be dumped before 2005.
"I think he just has more confidence in me," Pace said. "I’m not stupid, Chike and Bert are the main guys. Wherever I can spell them, I’ll do what I can. I always tell them, if you need a break, look for me.
"I’m not going to lie. I have never been more nervous, just because I feel I have a lot to prove."
READY TO ROLLE
Starting cornerback Antrel Rolle said he can tell already the difference between the NFL and the college game.
"Everything is a lot more technical," the Cards’ firstround pick said. "Talent is great, it can only benefit you, but at the same time, if that is all you use, it can hurt you."
The 6-foot, 206-pound Rolle has been the physical player the Cardinals had hoped for, and both his tackling and cover skills have been impressive in the preseason. Teams have picked on veteran David Macklin, listed at 5-10, on the other side of the field.
"That’s part of why we went after Rolle, he’s got size," Green said. "When we find a smaller corner against our receivers, we will try to take advantage of it."
EXTRA POINTS
Defensive tackle Kenny King, on injured reserve, had surgery again on his right wrist. Instead of the pins he had inserted last year, King now has a sturdier plate that will stay in his wrist permanently. King said he chose to go with pins originally because he wanted the movement it provided. Now, the movement in the wrist will be limited. . . . Center Alex Stepanovich (hand) and linebacker Gerald Hayes (knee) were the only players that didn’t practice Friday.Contact Darren Urban by email, or phone (480) 898-6525
September 10, 2005
Anquan Boldin sat at his locker after practice earlier this week, leaning back into his stall and looking serene.
The Cardinals receiver’s personal turmoil last season — when he dealt with the drafting of another highprofile receiver in Larry Fitzgerald, a knee injury that kept him out of training camp and six regular-season games, and lingering concerns about a contract extension — has all but washed away.
"If you want to know what you are going to get this year (from me), just look at that season when I was 100 percent," Boldin said.
That would be 2003, when Boldin stormed into the league as a rookie, caught 101 passes for 1,377 yards and eight touchdowns and made the Pro Bowl.
Last season, the contract talks bothered him. But not as much as his injury, that limited him to 56 receptions for 623 yards while he played at what he estimates at around 80 percent.
"Trying to get into game shape when it’s the middle of the season where everybody has 12 weeks advantage on you, it’s tough," Boldin said. "I never was able to catch up."
Now, Boldin feels better than he ever has. He even has trimmed down to 219 pounds, the first time he has been under 220 since he left college.
"Now I am in shape, moving laterally the way I want," Boldin said. "I’m back."
POWER OF THREE
Although coach Dennis Green insists that backup defensive tackle Ross Kolodziej can play defensive end if needed, the Cardinals have only one legitimate reserve defensive end — Calvin Pace — behind starters Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor.
Last season, Green often criticized Pace and there was a possibility the former first-rounder would be dumped before 2005.
"I think he just has more confidence in me," Pace said. "I’m not stupid, Chike and Bert are the main guys. Wherever I can spell them, I’ll do what I can. I always tell them, if you need a break, look for me.
"I’m not going to lie. I have never been more nervous, just because I feel I have a lot to prove."
READY TO ROLLE
Starting cornerback Antrel Rolle said he can tell already the difference between the NFL and the college game.
"Everything is a lot more technical," the Cards’ firstround pick said. "Talent is great, it can only benefit you, but at the same time, if that is all you use, it can hurt you."
The 6-foot, 206-pound Rolle has been the physical player the Cardinals had hoped for, and both his tackling and cover skills have been impressive in the preseason. Teams have picked on veteran David Macklin, listed at 5-10, on the other side of the field.
"That’s part of why we went after Rolle, he’s got size," Green said. "When we find a smaller corner against our receivers, we will try to take advantage of it."
EXTRA POINTS
Defensive tackle Kenny King, on injured reserve, had surgery again on his right wrist. Instead of the pins he had inserted last year, King now has a sturdier plate that will stay in his wrist permanently. King said he chose to go with pins originally because he wanted the movement it provided. Now, the movement in the wrist will be limited. . . . Center Alex Stepanovich (hand) and linebacker Gerald Hayes (knee) were the only players that didn’t practice Friday.Contact Darren Urban by email, or phone (480) 898-6525
