Boldin Hits the Books - Rookie Camp Practice Report #4 (With Audio!)

[Jim O]

http://www.azcardinals.com/press/pressdetails.php?sid=1242

Boldin Hits the Books - Rookie Camp Practice Report #4

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As the temperature soared close to a 100 degrees out, the Arizona Cardinals held their fourth practice for the rookies mid-morning on Thursday.

Rookie wide receiver Anquan Boldin is quickly agreeing with the boast of most Arizona residents that at least it’s a “dry heat.” After playing his collegiate career at Florida State, he’s already acclimated to hot weather, but with a lot more humidity involved.”


“The heat out here, I can definitely play in it,” said Boldin. “I guess you may have a problem if you are from up North, but coming from Florida I think I can bear with it. I prefer the dry heat to the humidity. It’s a lot better.”

McGinnis has been impressed with what he is seeing from his rookie receivers.

“The rookie receiver we have are all very capable. Bryant (Johnson) and Anquan are very, very bright people and they are working at it. You can tell they are going to be businesslike in their approach to it.”

Boldin, Johnson and the rest of the rookie class couldn’t tell you what they think about the Phoenix area yet as they’re all pretty much sharing that businesslike approach.

“We haven’t had enough time to do much of anything but football,” explained Boldin. “All the rookies pretty much have their noises in the book and when we leave the facility, we are pretty tired. We usually get something to eat, take a nap and get back into studying our books.”

Boldin clearly understands that with the competition at receiver, any edge will help and he’s doing his best to soak up a little bit of everything.

“Basically for me, I am just trying to gather everything and am learning on and off the field,” shared Boldin. “I am really getting in my books and trying to learn what is going on out here because I think that will be the determining factor of who gets out there in the end.”

The Cardinals will wrap up rookie mini camp Friday morning.

WR Anquan Boldin:

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Anquan Boldin on Jeff Blake Practicing with the Rookies:
http://helix.azcentral.com/ramgen/realvideo/azcardinalssite/boldinonblake.rm

Anquan Boldin Talks About Studying his Playbook:
http://helix.azcentral.com/ramgen/realvideo/azcardinalssite/boldinonplay.rm

Coach Mac:

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Coach Mac on Bryant Johnson and Anquan Boldin:
http://helix.azcentral.com/ramgen/realvideo/azcardinalssite/maconboys2.rm

Coach Mac on Jeff Blake practicing with the Rookies:
http://helix.azcentral.com/ramgen/realvideo/azcardinalssite/maconblake2.rm

Coach Mac on the Quickness of Calvin Pace:
http://helix.azcentral.com/ramgen/realvideo/azcardinalssite/maconpaceqk.rm

QB Jeff Blake:

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Jeff Blake on Jerry Sullivan and Bryant Johnson:
http://helix.azcentral.com/ramgen/realvideo/azcardinalssite/blakeonsullybj.rm

Jeff Blake on Practicing with the Rookies:
http://helix.azcentral.com/ramgen/realvideo/azcardinalssite/blakeonrookies.rm

Jeff Blake on the Arizona Heat:
http://helix.azcentral.com/ramgen/realvideo/azcardinalssite/blakeonazheat.rm

 

[Jim O]

For more sound and video, visit the following link:

http://www.azcardinals.com/broadcasting/interviews.php

 

[SweetD]

Thanks JIM-O you rock!

 

[hoopcoach]

jim...thank you..that is outstanding..with all this info, i think ive died and gone to heaven!
-hoopcoach

 

[Krangodnzr]

Johnson and Boldin (especially Boldin) are quickly becoming two of my favorite players, along with Pace!

 

[Russ Smith]

Originally posted by Krangthebrain
Johnson and Boldin (especially Boldin) are quickly becoming two of my favorite players, along with Pace!

Yep me too they say all the right things.

Blake of course too.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Originally posted by Russ Smith
Yep me too they say all the right things.

Blake of course too.

Very true. I was really getting sick of hearing Jake talking about how he needed to turn the ball over less and that he needed to fix his mistakes.

Blake could throw 20 ints this year, and I would still be happy to at least see someone else play. I like Blake and I have an good feeling about him.

 

[Dan H]

Blake could throw 20 ints this year

He could . . . but he won't.

 

[jw7]

Jim - great stuff.

I really like the attitude of the rookies. It kind of reminds me of what the Suns have done in getting hard-working, young team players.

BTW, the link to the Calvin Pace soundbit is typo'd...

Here is the correct link:

Coach Mac on the Quickness of Calvin Pace:

http://helix.azcentral.com/ramgen/realvideo/azcardinalssite/maconpaceqk.rm

 

[Jim O]

jw7,

Thanks for the catch on the audio file. It is corrected in my first post.

I'll owe you a beer at training camp.

 

[Solar7]

Speaking of training camp, when is it, and where is it in Flagstaff? I'm going to be in that area over summer, and I'd like to attend.

--Solar

 

[Metal Militia]

Originally posted by Solar7
Speaking of training camp, when is it, and where is it in Flagstaff? I'm going to be in that area over summer, and I'd like to attend.

--Solar

It is my understanding that the team will report on the evening of July 25 and the first practices will take place on July 26. They break camp on August 14.

 

[Duckjake]

Interesting to note that Anquan Boldin is included in the 2003 Fleer Ultra Football Card rookie set. He is one of 37. The set must have been made up prior to the draft because it includes QB's Chris Simms, Seneca Wallace and Kliff Kingsbury. So somebody must have thought that Boldin had real potential.

Bryant Johnson is also included but Pace is not.

Fleer also has the Emmit Smith Card where he is holding up his new Cardinal jersey. Coincidently my son got the Emmit Card and Jake Plummer, still in Cardinal uni but listed as a Bronco, in the same pack.

 

[JeffGollin]

What I Like Most About This Year

I've always felt that the most underrated part of pro football has been the offseason and that the key to the Cardinals breaking their losing cycle would be the development and improvement of their young players.

This year - more than ever before - I really get the feeling the Cardinal staff is "doing things right" and that the priorities (particularly classroom and playbook study) are in the right order.

I can't wait to see it pay off in the form of:

- a crafty pass rush move by Pace.

- Boldin or Johnson coming back on patterns to rescue Jeff Blake. Or making the right sight adjustment and breaking into the clear to snag a pass from Blake.

- Wells shocking everybody and breaking into the top 2 tiers of the depth chart because he picked up the pro game faster than anyone expected.

- Hayes or Gilbert not falling for play misdirection but nailing a ball carrier in the backfield because they picked up the right key.