Cardinals News

"Anquan Boldin and Darnell Dockett, who missed the Cardinals’ voluntary offseason workouts because of unhappiness with their contracts, showed up as expected for the start of training camp. Boldin did not speak to reporters. But Dockett, after pulling up in a green Mercedes shortly after 6 p.m., issued his first public comments on his contract dispute. He said he never considered a training camp boycott, saying his previous absence was “just business.” “I’m here. This is what I’ve been looking forward to: continuing my career where I left off last year,” Dockett said. “Right now, I’m here. I’m just trying to do whatever I can to help this team win. “I’m excited to be here. I know my ..."

"The first-round draft pick didn%u2019t make it to camp on time because the Cardinals have yet to sign him. Just like last year. And oh, so many previous years. But coach Ken Whisenhunt says this year has a different feel than last year when first-round pick Levi Brown missed about a week of camp. This year, plenty of first-round picks all around the NFL have been slow in signing, including cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who was the Cardinals%u2019 choice at No. 15. %u201CThat%u2019s what%u2019s really holding things up,%u201D Whisenhunt said. %u201CI%u2019m optimistic it will get done fairly quickly. We%u2019ve had some productive talks. A lot of times, its%u2019 more about ..."

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It's the beginning of coach Ken Whisenhunt's second season with the Cardinals, so most of his players should be familiar with how things operate as training camp begins at Northern Arizona University. Shouldn't they? "They should make this road down here a two-way street," right tackle Levi Brown said after having a little difficulty navigating on NAU's campus. "A lot of guys are stuck over here somewhere." Brown, a first-round draft pick in 2007, can be forgiven. This is only his second season with the Cardinals, and he missed the first six days of camp last year before he signed. So Flagstaff is fairly new to him. Other than a few misguided drivers, the Cardinals arrived Wednesday ..."

"Kurt Warner is unlikely to reach an agreement on a contract extension with the Cardinals before the start of training camp, his agent suggested on Tuesday. "That's what I would guess," said the Chicago-based Mark Bartelstein. And that would mean the veteran quarterback might well play out the remaining year of his contract with the Cardinals and then become a free agent. Warner has said he wanted a deal done by the start of training camp so that negotiations don't interfere with football."

"Cardinals general manager Rod Graves told on XTRA-910 this morning that the pace of negotiations with the agent for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has slowed and it's questionable if the team%u2019s first-round pick will be under contract by the start of training camp Wednesday. Graves said the pace has slowed because Rodgers-Cromartie's agent, Eugene Parker, has been traveling. Parker has four first-round picks, so his time has been divided among them."

"Let the hard work begin. The Cardinals open training camp when players report to Flagstaff for a team meeting Wednesday, then a conditioning test Thursday. Practices, which are free and open to the public, start Friday. The first question should be answered Wednesday as players report to camp. Receiver Anquan Boldin and defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, both of whom want new contracts, bypassed the team’s voluntary workouts during the offseason. But both are expected to arrive on time Wednesday."

"The Cardinals and the sport of college football have much in common. Both stubbornly resist the notion of a playoff game. The condition is so acute in Tempe that the P-word should be banned from the premises, just like beer sales in the fourth quarter. And yet… “Last year was a glimpse of what this team can do, finishing 8-8,” Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart said. “We do feel like we can be a playoff team.” Whoa Nellie, here we go again, entering a new season with boatloads of hope. The Cardinals are once again a popular pick among football experts, a team that could win a ragged division and actually host a playoff game. And right about now, cynics and longtime desert dwellers ..."

"They’re almost all staying on board. After two years in the Cardinals’ new stadium, fans seem happy enough with their new surroundings and the on-field product to give the club a shot at selling the place out for a third straight season. The Cardinals say that, although they’re running slightly behind their sellout pace of the past couple of years, they’ve sold about 57,000 to 58,000 season tickets. They’d like to sell about 60,000 and have about 3,000 or so in reserve to sell on an individual-game basis. The Tribune talked to several season-ticket holders, some picked at random at various parts of the stadium and others whose names were provided by the Cardinals."

"Defensive end Calais Campbell, a second-round draft pick out of Miami, agreed to terms Monday on a four-year contract, Cardinals officials announced. That leaves cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the team's first-round pick from Tennessee State, as its only unsigned player. The financial terms of Campbell's deal were not released, but the player drafted behind him, the Redskins' Malcolm Kelly, signed a four-year deal worth $3.36 million, about half of which is guaranteed."

"Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin and defensive lineman Darnell Dockett plan to report to training camp in Flagstaff on time Wednesday, their agent said, but their presence is not an indication they are pleased with their contract situations. “Anquan is not the type of guy to hold out,” said Drew Rosenhaus, who represents both players. “He’s a very principled guy. It’s just not in his makeup.” And Dockett? “Darnell is a man who is going to honor his commitment to come to camp,” Rosenhaus said. Both players want new deals and more money, but there has been little progress in Rosenhaus’ talks with Cardinals General Manager Rod Graves."

"Here are the times for Cardinals training camp sessions at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Practice times are subject to change:"

"Everybody has questions. How soon can quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco start in Atlanta and Baltimore? Where does Brett Favre play in 2008, if he plays at all? Is there another team such as the New York Giants that will come out of the shadows at playoff time to seize the Super Bowl? There are no ready answers in July and August. Training camp is a time to grind, but it's also a time for optimism. Let's set the stage for the NFL's 89th season."

"The Cards have been a trendy pick in recent years to accomplish that goal, but this may be the season they have actually made enough improvements to justify those expectations. Coach Ken Whisenhunt, now in his second year, said the Cards are “much further along at this point this year than we were last year. “Everything is running much smoother. Guys are faster, quicker. They understand what we’re doing.” The team has much greater depth on defense, addressed a glaring need at cornerback with first-round draft pick Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and returns star players at the skill positions on offense. But the biggest question, as always, comes under center where Matt Leinart and ..."

"The Cardinals' practice schedule at Flagstaff (the team reports on Wednesday):"

"Yes, the Bears have some issues as they head into training camp this week. But they are not alone. Each of the 32 teams in the NFL will be trying to answer deep questions, tie together loose ends and bury ghosts of the past. Here is a look at the other 31:"

"Single-game tickets for Cardinals home games will go on sale to the general public on July 26, though season-ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase them the day before through an exclusive pre-sale. In anticipation of strong demand for the Oct. 12 contest against the Dallas Cowboys, tickets to that game will only be available through a special “Protect the Nest Plan.” Those tickets will be available for purchase starting later this week."

"The Cardinals are trying to "protect the nest." This means they'd like University of Phoenix Stadium to continue to sell out, and to do so with as few opposing fans as possible. In the past two seasons, there was little concern about this since the team sold out every home game. But with ticket sales a bit slower as the third season approaches, the Cardinals are requiring fans who want to buy tickets to the Dallas game on Oct. 12 to also buy tickets for the Aug. 7 exhibition opener vs. New Orleans."

"The Cardinals' third-round pick this year almost certainly will work out better than last year's selection. At least he'd better. The Cardinals on Tuesday signed receiver Early Doucet, who led Louisiana State's BCS title team last season with 57 catches for 525 yards and five touchdowns. Doucet signed a three-year deal with a signing bonus in the range of $600,000, the Tribune confirmed. He is expected to compete for playing time this season."

"The Cardinals signed wide receiver Early Doucet, the team's third-round pick from Louisiana State, to a three-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Doucet (6-foot, 211 pounds) led LSU’s national championship team with 57 receptions for 525 yards and five touchdowns in nine starts as a senior in 2007."

"The Cardinals have until Tuesday to sign linebacker Karlos Dansby, who has been designated the team's franchise player, to a long-term contract. Kirk Wood, Dansby's agent, said Monday he doesn't expect a deal to be completed. "I don't think it's going to happen," Wood said. Though the two sides likely will talk one last time Tuesday, "There's a very significant difference in the two business positions. ... We're quite far apart.""

"The Cardinals and linebacker Karlos Dansby remain far apart in contract negotiations, and it's unlikely a deal will be reached by Tuesday, the NFL's deadline for signing franchise players to multiyear contracts. Dansby will play for the Cardinals in 2008, making the franchise tender of $8.065 million. After Tuesday's deadline, Dansby cannot sign a long-term deal until after the season. Cardinals General Manager Rod Graves was not optimistic on Monday."

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"The Cardinals signed seventh-round draft pick Brandon Keith to a three-year contract on Wednesday. Keith becomes the third member of Arizona's 2008 to sign a contract, joining fourth-round pick, defensive lineman Kenny Iwebema, and running back Tim Hightower (fifth round). Keith, a 6-foot-5, 343-pound offensive tackle from Northern Iowa, earned All-Gateway Conference first-team and Associated Press third-team All-America honors as a senior. He began his college career at the University of Oklahoma before encountering off-field troubles and transferring to Northeastern Oklahoma A"

"Bob Ackles, the British Columbia Lions' first water boy, who went on to become the Canadian Football League team's president and CEO, died after having a heart attack Sunday. He was 69. Ackles was the Arizona Cardinals director of college scouting and assistant general manager from 1992 to 1994. In an interview this year with The Republic, Ackles said, "(I) enjoyed my time in Arizona, other than one year I spent with (former head coach) Buddy (Ryan, 1994). The other two years were great with Larry (Wilson) and Buges (Joe Bugel). I enjoyed (owner) Bill Bidwill but, as you know, he's different.""

"The Cardinals announced the hiring of Tom Reed, who joins the team from the Atlanta, where he was a Falcons assistant athletic trainer for nine seasons. Reed, 37, replaces John Omohundro, who retired last Thursday after 41 years with the club. Reed began his full-time training career the University of Miami (Fla.) from 1996-99 before joining the Falcons for the 1999 season."

"Cardinals offensive tackle Brandon Keith, the team's seventh-round draft pick, pleaded guilty earlier this week to two misdemeanor charges that resulted from a disturbance in Cedar Falls, Iowa, last March. Keith pleaded guilty to rioting and interference with officials. He was sentenced to one year of probation for the interference charge, according to the clerk's office of the Black Hawk County District Court in Waterloo. He received a deferred judgment on the rioting charge, meaning the charge will be taken off his record if he successfully meets terms of his probation."

"It's official. The Cardinals will have a new head athletic trainer this year for the first time since 1971. The team announced Thursday that John Omohundro has stepped down from the job he's held for the past 36 seasons. He will remain affiliated with the team as Senior Advisor to Sports Medicine. Omohundro had the longest tenure of any athletic trainer in the NFL. He had been with the team 41 seasons, serving as an assistant athletic trainer his first five years. He worked 814 Cardinals games."

"Cardinals kicker Neil Rackers will practice with Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls on Tuesday at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Red Bulls are in the Valley to play Chivas De Guadalajara at University of Phoenix Stadium at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Rackers also will attend the match to participate in the opening coin toss and present the MVP trophy afterward."

"When the pads go on and the hitting begins next month, look for the young guns to draw the most fire. If quarterback is the most demanding position in any team sport, inexperienced passers face the toughest challenge of all - especially if the franchises they represent are poised to make some noise. Oakland's JaMarcus Russell and Kansas City's Brodie Croyle won't be under that degree of pressure because the Raiders and Chiefs are afterthoughts behind San Diego in the AFC West. But for Trent Edwards, Jason Campbell, Matt Leinart and Tarvaris Jackson, fans and teammates are ready to analyze every training camp snap to judge whether these young quarterbacks are the real deal or merely ..."

"John Omohundro is stepping down after 36 seasons as the Cardinals head trainer, according to NFL sources. Omohundro, the NFL's most senior trainer, has been with the Cardinals for 41 seasons, serving as an assistant trainer his first five years with the team. It's unclear if Omohundro plans to retire immediately, or if he'll work in 2008 in a transitional role. Cardinals officials were not available for comment, but sources confirmed that General Manager Rod Graves spent much of this week travelling and interviewing potential replacements."

"Cardinals running back J.J. Arrington was among five people arrested after a fight at a nightclub in Rocky Mount, N.C. Police in Rocky Mount said an off-duty officer called for assistance around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday after the fight broke out at the D"

"Authorities arrested Arizona Cardinals running back J.J. Arrington overnight and charged him with disorderly conduct. He was involved in a fight at D & I Event Center, 2341 Raleigh Road in Rocky Mount (North Carolina), authorities said. Officials arrested five people for fighting. The 25-year-old, listed as Johnathan Jerome Arrington in police documents, was being held in the Nash County Jail."

"The Cardinals are expected to complete the restructuring of their scouting department later this week with the hiring of several new scouts. The most notable addition is expected to be Jason Licht, who was fired from his job as the Eagles vice president of player personnel shortly after the draft. Licht worked for the Patriots before joining the Eagles and was once regarded as a potential successor to Eagles General Manager Tom Heckert."

"The Cardinals have announced dates and times for training camp this summer at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Players are due to report on July 23 and will undergo a conditioning test the next day. The first of 30 training camp practices will be held on July 25, and the last one will be Aug. 21. There will be eight two-a-day sessions, including two night practices at Lumberjack Stadium."

"The Cardinals gained a player Monday, thanks to the NFL's International Practice Squad Program. Outside linebacker Eduardo Castaneda, who spent last year on Houston's practice squad, has been placed on the Cardinals squad. He will not count against the squad's eight-man limit."

"Cardinals General Manager Rod Graves was named to the NFL's new General Managers Advisory Committee. The Committee, which will be co-chaired by NFL executive vice president of football operations Ray Anderson and former Giants GM Ernie Accorsi, will provide advice and other feedback to the NFL Football Operations department and areas of focus for the committee will include:"

"The Cardinals signed Iowa defensive end Kenny Iwebema to a three-year contract Monday. Iwebema was the team's fourth-round (116th overall) selection in the 2008 NFL Draft. Iwebema (6 feet 4, 274 pounds) was named All-Big Ten honorable mention after starting all 11 games and collecting 28 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two blocked kicks as a senior in 2007. His best season at Iowa was in 2005 where as a sophomore, he was named All-Big Ten first-team by the league's media after collecting a career high 48 tackles and a team-high seven sacks to go along with 10 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and two blocked kicks."

"Drew Rosenhaus, the agent for wide receiver Anquan Boldin and defensive lineman Darnell Dockett, dropped by the team's Tempe training facility Monday amid rumors that something might be cooking regarding possible contract talks for the two disgruntled players. There probably was more smoke than fire, however, on that front. Both Boldin and Dockett are under contract and expected to report to training camp next month despite reportedly being unsatisfied with their present deals."

"The Arizona Cardinals signed the first member of their 2008 draft class, agreeing to a three-year contract on Thursday with fifth-round pick Tim Hightower."

"The Cardinals announced the signing Thursday of rookie running back Tim Hightower, a fifth-round pick out of Richmond, to a three-year contract. Terms were not disclosed. Hightower rushed for 1,924 yards and 20 touchdowns last season as a senior at Richmond, where he set 18 school records. Hightower is the first of the Cards' seven draft picks to agree to contract terms."

"The Cardinals and Kurt Warner said Monday they will try to work out a contract extension for the quarterback by the time training camp starts in late July. Warner, who would like a two-year contract, said, "I want to be in a situation where I'm comfortable. I kind of want to know my future. "A lot of it will be dictated by what kind of plans they have for me here. I think the contract is going to allow me to see what they're thinking for me moving forward.""

"NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has worked hard to bring his players' behavior under control. Or at least as much under control as possible. Now, he is turning his attention to fan behavior, saying last week he is working with teams on ways to bring out-of-line fans in line and make games more enjoyable for all fans. Details of how the commish plans to do this are forthcoming, but we thought we'd offer our help in the form of these 10 recommendations:"

"The Carolina Panthers took a big step toward mattering again in the NFC South last week. "It's nice to have your starting quarterback out there," Coach John Fox said. Fox and his players rejoiced at the sight of Jake Delhomme taking snaps, dropping and firing balls to receivers for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right, throwing shoulder last fall...With Delhomme in mind, here's a look at 10 players on the mend but on schedule to take the field in time for camp."

"A few hours after practice Thursday, Cardinals rookies left town for a history lesson. As part of a new NFL program, the rookies traveled to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. They will meet former Cardinals safety Larry Wilson, a Hall of Famer, who will join them for a tour. The group will return Friday night. "I'm looking forward to it a lot, because, hopefully, I plan to be in there one day," said defensive end Calais Campbell, a second-round draft pick. "I guess it's motivation to be in there one day.""

"Coaches and general managers throughout the NFL have complained about the 80-man roster limit instituted this year, but coach Ken Whisenhunt doesn't see it as a big deal. In previous years, teams received exemptions for players returning from NFL Europa, giving clubs an extra five or so players at training camp. Those exemptions went away when the league folded, and owners decided against raising the roster limit. "I don't anticipate (problems) unless we get a bunch of nagging injuries that are going to keep guys out," Whisenhunt said. "If we do, then you just have to adjust your practices accordingly.""

"It’s not quite precise to say somebody has been “promoted” to a position in which he’s already performed. But that’s the case with offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who will be assuming the play-calling responsibilities from head coach Ken Whisenhunt in the upcoming season. Then again, Haley called the plays late last season — when the Cardinals’ offense was rolling — though neither coach specified exactly when this took place. “It’s exciting to get to this year and be told we’re going to pick up where we left off,” Haley said. “That’s good stuff.”"

"Before the Cardinals' expected new punter for next season showed up for the second round of volunteer workouts Tuesday at the team's Tempe training facility, he had to make a quick pit stop back home in Colorado. Montrose High called and asked Dirk Johnson to deliver the keynote speech for graduation ceremonies Sunday. It was both poignant and pragmatic. "I was a little nervous, but it was pretty cool," Johnson said. "I just said, 'You're done with the easiest part of your life. You can still go home and have a place to sleep, there's probably food on the table, you've got gas money and Taco Bell money."

"National Football League owners' decision last week to award the 2012 Super Bowl to Indianapolis, rather than Arizona, might have a silver lining. It gives Valley aviation authorities at least another year to figure out whether they can minimize problems that left the planes of Super Bowl XLII high rollers sitting on the tarmac at Scottsdale Airport for more than six hours. Big names in the professional-football world, treated to a weekend of exclusive parties and perfect Arizona weather, left town Feb. 4 - the Monday after the NFL championship game - furious at delays that kept their private jets waiting for permission to take off."

"Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is handing off most of the offensive play-calling duties for the upcoming season to coordinator Todd Haley, fulfilling a promise Whisenhunt made when he took the job a year ago. "I feel an obligation to do that because I was given that opportunity to grow in that capacity," said Whisenhunt, who was the Steelers' offensive coordinator before coming to Arizona."

"In football, spring accomplishments and evaluations come with an asterisk and a warning. *These statements and observation might not hold true this fall, when regular-season games begin. The Cardinals know that in May every team is undefeated and no player has failed. With that caveat out of the way, everyone seems confident that switching Antrel Rolle from cornerback to safety could be one of the key moves of the off-season. "As far as purely playing the safety position, he's looked very comfortable and very confident," coach Ken Whisenhunt said."