Insists dispute isn't factor for his arrival
Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
May. 11, 2005 12:00 AM
For the past few weeks, Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin's only Valley appearances were on billboards promoting the team.
That changed Tuesday when he showed up for his first off-season workout at the team's Tempe facility.
Boldin, who skipped a mandatory minicamp two weeks ago, didn't return to Arizona from his home in Florida because of anything coach Dennis Green said, or as a gesture of good faith in contract negotiations, or because a new deal is imminent. He just missed the game.
"Me not being around football is pretty tough," Boldin said.
Boldin missed the minicamp because of stalled contract talks, and team officials won't say if they will impose the maximum $3,000 fine.
Skipping off-season workouts is a common negotiating strategy, especially for players who have Drew Rosenhaus as an agent, but Boldin found it harder than he expected to stay away.
"Just not being around my teammates, knowing the opportunity that we have this year, it's pretty tough," he said.
There will be no holdout when the Cardinals report to training camp July 31 in Flagstaff, Boldin said.
"No, I'm here," he said. "If I was going to do that, I wouldn't be here right now. That's the plan."
Boldin, who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2003, promised to attend camp even if he is still on his contract, which runs for two more seasons.
"If they get something done, good, if not, good," he said. "I'm going to be here playing football."
While Boldin insisted his off-season debut was not a conciliatory gesture, Cardinals officials took it as such, and they plan to speak to Rosenhaus soon for the first time in weeks.
Rod Graves, the team's vice president for football operations, hinted that the team was not eager to negotiate if Boldin stayed away.
"I really believe they may have concluded that the best course of action for them is to be back and working and allow the negotiations to take place," Graves said.
Green didn't hide his displeasure at Boldin's minicamp absence, saying he wasn't going to be patient with players who didn't buy into his program.
Green declined comment Tuesday. Boldin said he had heard only "little buzzes" about Green's comments.
The Cardinals and Rosenhaus have discussed extensions ranging from four to six years, and the Cardinals have offered bonuses in the range of $8 million to $10 million.
Rosenhaus has said he will not comment on negotiations.
Several Rosenhaus clients are seeking contract extensions, including receivers Terrell Owens of Philadelphia and Javon Walker of Green Bay.
Boldin's situation is different, Boldin said, because the Cardinals have expressed interest in extending his deal.
"It's a situation where we've been going back and forth, as far as my agent and management," he said. "With those guys, I don't think teams are even talking to them."
Boldin is different from those guys, too, because he has chosen to attend voluntary workouts, calling himself just a "piece of the puzzle.
"No one man can win the game. I'm pretty aware of that," he said. "I'm excited about this year. I think we had a pretty good draft. I think we did a great job in free agency, picking up some guys who can help us win. It's important for me to get back out here and work with those guys."
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardina ... n0511.html
Lord, please allow for Anquin Boldin and Sean Taylor to have a little chat in the near future. Perhaps Boldin can talk some sense into him. Thanks.
is in the fact that Boldin was one of the many players represented by Drew Rosenhaus that are holding out this offseason. His voluntary return is simply amazing. It proves he's his own man, and he is not solely follwoing Drew's advice.