Cardinals’ Boldin reaps rewards of his hard work
By Darren Urban, Tribune
The air miles have piled up for Anquan Boldin since the NFL season ended, leaving lots of time to think while flying to Houston and Hawaii, Portland and Philadelphia.
Yet Boldin’s mind stayed in Arizona, with the Cardinals.
Boldin was anticipating this busy offseason. It’s what happens when you become a star in the NFL, a Pro Bowl wide receiver on a team starving for an identity.
Boldin promised himself and anyone who asked last year that he wouldn’t let such a season be a fluke. It’s easy to work hard when no one knows who you are — and when plenty of people doubted he could make much of an immediate impact. That motivation is gone.
Yet the work ethic has remained.
"I have not seen one instance of let-up from him since the end of the season," Cardinals vice president of football operations Rod Graves said. "He is more driven now than when he came in as a rookie."
Boldin has been to Houston for the Super Bowl. He went to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl and, after returning to the mainland, went back to Hawaii for an autograph signing. He went to Santa Monica, Calif., for the made-for-TV quarterback challenge and then over to Los Angeles for some studio time with the NFL Network. He went to Philadelphia for a Reebok photo shoot.
He still has plans to go to his brother’s high school graduation in Pahokee, Fla., Chicago for another autograph signing, and San Diego to speak at the NFL rookie symposium.
But he has still impressed his new coaching staff when participating in the three minicamps already held, and he’ll take part in the three weeks of practices coming up in June.
"I don’t think you can work hard and have things not go well," Boldin said. "For me, it is staying hungry, staying humble and doing what it takes to win. I want to win."
NO FLUKE
Young players have had breakout years recently for the Cardinals, only to follow with flops.
Quarterback Jake Plummer got a new contract and national endorsements after his huge 1998 season, then suffered through a ninetouchdown, 24-interception season in 1999. Simeon Rice had 16 1/2 sacks in 1999 but was unhappy with both his contract and his endorsement opportunities in Arizona, and he had only 7 1/2 sacks the next year before fleeing as a free agent. Receiver David Boston made the Pro Bowl in 2001 after a 98-catch, 1,598-yard season, and then stopped his extra work and slumped to 32 catches in an injury-riddled 2002.
"Unfortunately, we have had instances of (letdowns) in the past," Graves said. "But I think Anquan is a different cat. He’s the type that championship teams revolve around."
The idea that Boldin, who had an NFL-rookie record 101 catches for 1,377 yards last season, would let his game slide brought a smile to Josh McCown’s face. The Cardinals quarterback has spent enough time around Boldin — and has played enough basketball with him — to know "he takes it to another level."
"It never crosses my mind he wouldn’t compete out here," McCown said.
And at 23, Boldin is now the leader of the receiving corps, if not the entire offense.
"He’s already a mentor to me," said receiver Larry Fitzgerald, the team’s firstround draft pick. "I don’t know how old he is, but there are still a lot of things I can learn from him. I just want to get to that standard he set around here."
GOING HIGH PROFILE
Rice may have been concerned that being a Cardinal limited his endorsement possibilities, but Boldin has had his share of companies courting him.
He has signed with Motion DNA, a company that uses computer technology to detect strengths and weaknesses in athletes to help their training. He is also working on a deal with a mineral water company and has done the work for Reebok.
In Philadelphia, Boldin teamed with fellow young receivers Peerless Price, Santana Moss, Laveranues Coles and Ashlie Lelie to shoot pictures for Reebok’s new "2 the Zone" shoe campaign. Boldin, who already went to Portland, Ore., for one sales meeting, will also make appearances for the company.
"A lot of people say the market is slow out here," Boldin said. "I guess if you are a player it doesn’t matter where you are. Hopefully, we can change the perception."
The Reebok people found Boldin at the Pro Bowl, falling in love with his quiet, wellmannered personality.
"This isn’t your dad’s NFL," said Reebok’s Eddie White, vice president of team properties and sports marketing. "It’s about marketing and sponsorship. How he interacted with people. . . the kid is just a great kid."
"People know who Anquan is," McCown said. "You can’t hide it."
Boldin’s most important events, he said, are charity functions in which he speaks to kids. He remembers being young and hearing an NFL player speak in person, and he wants to give children the same thrill.
But Boldin insists he didn’t have commercials or speaking engagements in mind when he was racking up his stats last season.
"I really don’t care about all the endorsements or anything else," Boldin said. "As long as I am winning I am happy. To be honest, I am going to stay hungry even if we win the Super Bowl. I don’t think I will ever go out there and not compete. That’s just my mentality."
Contact Darren Urban by email, or phone (480) 898-6525 ADVERTISERS...
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By Darren Urban, Tribune
The air miles have piled up for Anquan Boldin since the NFL season ended, leaving lots of time to think while flying to Houston and Hawaii, Portland and Philadelphia.
Yet Boldin’s mind stayed in Arizona, with the Cardinals.
Boldin was anticipating this busy offseason. It’s what happens when you become a star in the NFL, a Pro Bowl wide receiver on a team starving for an identity.
Boldin promised himself and anyone who asked last year that he wouldn’t let such a season be a fluke. It’s easy to work hard when no one knows who you are — and when plenty of people doubted he could make much of an immediate impact. That motivation is gone.
Yet the work ethic has remained.
"I have not seen one instance of let-up from him since the end of the season," Cardinals vice president of football operations Rod Graves said. "He is more driven now than when he came in as a rookie."
Boldin has been to Houston for the Super Bowl. He went to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl and, after returning to the mainland, went back to Hawaii for an autograph signing. He went to Santa Monica, Calif., for the made-for-TV quarterback challenge and then over to Los Angeles for some studio time with the NFL Network. He went to Philadelphia for a Reebok photo shoot.
He still has plans to go to his brother’s high school graduation in Pahokee, Fla., Chicago for another autograph signing, and San Diego to speak at the NFL rookie symposium.
But he has still impressed his new coaching staff when participating in the three minicamps already held, and he’ll take part in the three weeks of practices coming up in June.
"I don’t think you can work hard and have things not go well," Boldin said. "For me, it is staying hungry, staying humble and doing what it takes to win. I want to win."
NO FLUKE
Young players have had breakout years recently for the Cardinals, only to follow with flops.
Quarterback Jake Plummer got a new contract and national endorsements after his huge 1998 season, then suffered through a ninetouchdown, 24-interception season in 1999. Simeon Rice had 16 1/2 sacks in 1999 but was unhappy with both his contract and his endorsement opportunities in Arizona, and he had only 7 1/2 sacks the next year before fleeing as a free agent. Receiver David Boston made the Pro Bowl in 2001 after a 98-catch, 1,598-yard season, and then stopped his extra work and slumped to 32 catches in an injury-riddled 2002.
"Unfortunately, we have had instances of (letdowns) in the past," Graves said. "But I think Anquan is a different cat. He’s the type that championship teams revolve around."
The idea that Boldin, who had an NFL-rookie record 101 catches for 1,377 yards last season, would let his game slide brought a smile to Josh McCown’s face. The Cardinals quarterback has spent enough time around Boldin — and has played enough basketball with him — to know "he takes it to another level."
"It never crosses my mind he wouldn’t compete out here," McCown said.
And at 23, Boldin is now the leader of the receiving corps, if not the entire offense.
"He’s already a mentor to me," said receiver Larry Fitzgerald, the team’s firstround draft pick. "I don’t know how old he is, but there are still a lot of things I can learn from him. I just want to get to that standard he set around here."
GOING HIGH PROFILE
Rice may have been concerned that being a Cardinal limited his endorsement possibilities, but Boldin has had his share of companies courting him.
He has signed with Motion DNA, a company that uses computer technology to detect strengths and weaknesses in athletes to help their training. He is also working on a deal with a mineral water company and has done the work for Reebok.
In Philadelphia, Boldin teamed with fellow young receivers Peerless Price, Santana Moss, Laveranues Coles and Ashlie Lelie to shoot pictures for Reebok’s new "2 the Zone" shoe campaign. Boldin, who already went to Portland, Ore., for one sales meeting, will also make appearances for the company.
"A lot of people say the market is slow out here," Boldin said. "I guess if you are a player it doesn’t matter where you are. Hopefully, we can change the perception."
The Reebok people found Boldin at the Pro Bowl, falling in love with his quiet, wellmannered personality.
"This isn’t your dad’s NFL," said Reebok’s Eddie White, vice president of team properties and sports marketing. "It’s about marketing and sponsorship. How he interacted with people. . . the kid is just a great kid."
"People know who Anquan is," McCown said. "You can’t hide it."
Boldin’s most important events, he said, are charity functions in which he speaks to kids. He remembers being young and hearing an NFL player speak in person, and he wants to give children the same thrill.
But Boldin insists he didn’t have commercials or speaking engagements in mind when he was racking up his stats last season.
"I really don’t care about all the endorsements or anything else," Boldin said. "As long as I am winning I am happy. To be honest, I am going to stay hungry even if we win the Super Bowl. I don’t think I will ever go out there and not compete. That’s just my mentality."
Contact Darren Urban by email, or phone (480) 898-6525 ADVERTISERS...
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Last edited:
Oh, I just read that Quan invented water purification. 
