Arizona Republic Article on Warner, Boldin, Dansby
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/2008/12/09/20081209cardsinsider1210.html
Key personnel can keep Cards high
by Kent Somers
In the NFL, the closer your job takes you to the playing field, the narrower your focus is during the season. The horizon usually is blotted out by the more immediate challenge of winning the next game.
At this time of year, long-range planning is left to the guys who work in shirts and ties, the general manager and the personnel department.
These are heady times for the Cardinals (8-5), who clinched their first division crown in 33 years Sunday. It's the job of General Manager Rod Graves to make sure there isn't a 33-year gap before the next one comes.
"I think we're positioned well," Graves said Tuesday from Indianapolis, where he is attending meetings regarding the annual scouting combine. "We're going to do it two ways. We're going to stay committed to our core players, even though there will be changes, as a whole, to our roster.
"And the second aspect of it is the quality of coaching this team will receive will make a big difference, as it has this year. You can have (good) players and not have success."
The process of sustaining success, however, is a lot more complicated than acquiring good players and coaching them up.
The Cardinals have a handful of key veterans with contract issues, and it won't be easy to keep them all.
Quarterback Kurt Warner,
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]inside l[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]inebacker [/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Karlos [/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Dansby[/FONT][/FONT], defensive Antonio Smith, running back J.J. Arrington, defensive end Bertrand Berry, outside linebacker
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Clark [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Haggans[/FONT],[/FONT] quarterback Brian St. Pierre and fullback Terrelle Smith are among the players due to be unrestricted free agents.
A few others currently under contract, including receiver
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Anquan [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Boldin[/FONT][/FONT], safety Adrian Wilson and defensive end Darnell Dockett, would like new deals.
Graves is reluctant to talk specifically about negotiations, because he said he doesn't want to take the focus off what is happening on the field. But there's little question Graves will be in the spotlight once this season ends.
Warner is contending for the MVP and is due a raise from the $5 million he's making this season. Dansby would like to be paid in the range of Calvin Pace, who signed a six-year deal that will pay him about $26 million in the first three years.
The $20 million or so that's guaranteed might be too rich for the Cardinals, however, and they might gamble that Dansby won't get that on the open market. There is also the option of placing the franchise tag on Dansby for a second consecutive year, but that would guarantee a 20 percent raise over the $8 million he's making.
Warner and Dansby likely are the most immediate priorities, but neither is likely to be re-signed before the end of the season. After this season, Wilson has one year remaining on his contract and Boldin has two.
Boldin said in
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]training [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]camp[/FONT][/FONT] he has no intention of re-signing in Arizona but politely has declined to discuss the subject.
Graves remains optimistic the club can re-sign the receiver, although the two sides have not negotiated since last summer. "He's made it clear he didn't want to talk until the end of the season," Graves said. "My sense is he's enjoying this team and likes playing with Kurt and in this offense."
Extra points
Inside linebacker Gerald Hayes was named the NFC's Defensive Player of the Week for his performance Sunday against the Rams.
Hayes had 11 tackles, a half-sack and forced two fumbles in the 34-10 victory. It's the first time Hayes has won the award in his six-year career.
• NBC decided to claim the Panthers-Giants game on Dec. 21, moving it from the afternoon to prime time. The Cardinals game against the Patriots that day was under consideration, but kickoff will remain at 11 a.m. Arizona time.
• The Cardinals haven't seen the last of the Giants. It's conceivable the clubs could meet in the playoffs, but it's a sure thing they'll meet next year. As division champs, the Cardinals will face the first-place teams from the NFC East and South next year. They will play the Giants in New Jersey and will play host to the NFC South winner, either Carolina, Tampa Bay or Atlanta.
The Cardinals' remaining home schedule includes the Packers, Vikings, Texans, Colts, Seahawks, Rams and 49ers.
The road schedule: Bears, Lions, Jaguars, Titans, Giants, Seahawks, Rams and 49ers.
