Rookie receives rave reviews
Poll: Should Hawai'i keep the Pro Bowl?
By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
Arizona Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin proved in his rookie season that he can get open and catch the ball.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
He finished third in the league with 101 receptions, which tied the Cardinals' franchise mark and broke the NFL rookie record of 90.
Arizona receiver Anquan Boldin was third in the NFL with 101 receptions, but it was his blocking that impressed one foe.
But Boldin's precise routes, grabs in traffic and ability to get separation aren't what impressed St. Louis Rams cornerback Aeneas Williams.
"He wasn't in awe of the situation and he seemed to be ready at each stage not only to catch the ball, but to be a tremendous blocker," said Williams, a 13-year veteran and seven-time Pro Bowl selection. "Not just a token block, but certainly a decisive block, and if he didn't get the block he seemed to be upset.
"So I was impressed that you had a young guy able to pay attention to the details of the game."
Boldin, who started all 16 games, also finished with 1,377 yards, eight touchdowns and was a unanimous choice as The Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year.
"It's a great compliment to him as a football player," said NFC coach Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles. "It's very well deserving. He had a great year."
Boldin, who is 6 feet 1 and 216 pounds, was the only rookie selected to play in this year's Pro Bowl, which will be played Sunday at Aloha Stadium.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
"It's an honor for me, just coming out here and playing with guys I've watched over the last couple of years," said Boldin, a former Florida State standout. "It's a privilege to be out here as a rookie."
Aeneas Williams of the St.Louis Rams shook hands with fans Michael Freeman, 3, left, and brother Ikaika, 4, at the NFC practice yesterday at Aloha Stadium. The NFC takes on the AFC in the annual Pro Bowl on Sunday.
When asked if he was surprised to make the roster, he said: "Never in my wildest dreams. Growing up you probably imagine playing in the Pro Bowl, but not as a rookie."
Boldin was selected in the second round (No. 54 overall) in last April's draft because he didn't time well in the 40-yard dash at combines and workouts, and teams were wary of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee suffered during his junior season.
He finished with 65 receptions and 1,011 yards in his senior season and was a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection.
Boldin thinks scouts overemphasize how prospects perform in workouts.
"My true feeling about it is a lot of it is overrated," he said. "You can measure how high a guy can jump or how fast he can run, but you can't measure his heart."
Despite Arizona finishing 4-12 this past season, Boldin said he was disappointed to be the only Cardinal selected to the game.
"I feel like a couple of my teammates should have been here, but hopefully we can have four or five Cardinals out here (next year)," Boldin said.
He said tight end Freddie Jones, linebacker Ronald McKinnon, and safeties Dexter Jackson and Adrian Wilson are Arizona teammates who should have been in this year's game.
The Cardinals fired coach Dave McGinnis shortly after the season and replaced him with Dennis Green, who previously coached Stanford and the Minnesota Vikings. Green was 97-62 in 10 seasons with Minnesota.
"I think everyone is real excited to get started with Coach Green," Boldin said. "His past track record speaks for itself. He's a very successful coach. Where ever he's been he's won."
Boldin thinks if the Carolina Panthers can go from 1-15 in 2001 to the Super Bowl in 2003, the Cardinals can do the same.
When asked if the Cardinals will turn things around next season, he said: "I think so with a new coaching staff and new attitude. We have the guys in place to do it so I think next year we'll be the success story of the NFL."
Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8041.
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All events and practice times, subject to change. For complete up-to-the-minute information contact the Pro Bowl hotline at 233-4635. Admission free for all Aloha Stadium practices. Enter through Gate 4. Today 10 a.m. — AFC practice at Aloha Stadium. Tomorrow 10 a.m. — AFC practice at Aloha Stadium. Friday 10 a.m. — NFC practice at Aloha Stadium. Noon to 6 p.m. — Pro Bowl Football Festival at Kapi'olani Park, presented by the Paradise Yellow Pages (admission free). Features local bands, free autographs from NFL players and Pro Bowl cheerleaders, NFL mascots, interactive football games and prize giveaways. 12:30 p.m. — Pro Bowl Charity Golf Tournament at Waialae Country Club. To register, contact Nick Nicolosi at (201) 489-0049 or n.nicolosi@verizon.net 3 to 5:30 p.m. — NFL Military Challenge at Kapi'olani Park (admission free). Features football skills competition of the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy. 7 p.m. to midnight — Pro Bowl Block Party at Aloha Tower Marketplace (admission free). Features live bands, free autographs from NFL players and Pro Bowl cheerleaders, NFL mascots and fireworks. Saturday 9 a.m. — NFC practice at Aloha Stadium. 10 a.m. — AFC practice at Aloha Stadium. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Pro Football Festival and Fan Appreciation Day at Kapi'olani Park, presented by the Paradise Yellow Pages (admission free). 6 p.m. — Sunset at the Beach at Queen's Beach, Waikiki. See football movie "Radio" on the beach. 8 p.m. — 25th Anniversary Pro Bowl concert and party at Waikiki Shell, featuring K.C. and the Sunshine Band and Papa Doo Run Run. Tickets available at the Blaisdell Arena box office and Ticketmaster.com (877) 750-4400. Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Official NFL Tailgate Party, "Surfin' NFL," at Richardson Field. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com, (877) 750-4400, and at all Ticketmaster ticket centers. Features free autographs from NFL players, Pro Bowl cheerleaders and mascots, and music and entertainment. 2:30 p.m. — 2004 NFL Pro Bowl Game. AFC All-Stars vs. NFC All-Stars at Aloha Stadium. Pro Bowl facts Where: Aloha Stadium When: 2:30 p.m. Sunday Tickets: $30 to $150 Ticket purchases: Aloha Stadium box office, or through Ticketmaster (877) 750-4400, or at ticketmaster.com Parking: $5. Television: ESPN, live. Radio: CBS radio, live. |
