Anquan Boldin set to fire agent Drew Rosenhaus

My Commentary:

Well Anquan, looks like you got Boldin after all, as in Bold. As we the Arizona Cardinals fans, we might finally get to see Anquan Boldin move on to a new chapter and a different outlook. The nagging contract fly that just keeps buzzing around and won’t go away, might be gone for good, hopefully. Come on Anquan, all the fans here in Arizona who refer to you as Q, want you to be here.

You’re a team leader with the fierce determination of a gladiator and warrior. We will never forget the way you came back after the Jet’s game, with no complaints about pain or the hit itself. Heck, the guy refused to use any pain killers. So let’s start off fresh and anew and look forward to seeing you in the Cardinals uniform for many more years to come.

And the Arizona Cardinals take yet another defensive player again, in the 6th round. Ok, we can hear the coaching staff loud and clear on this, we couldn’t get the stop on that last drive of the super bowl. You have one camp that says, “Defense Wins Championships”, you have another camp that says, “Special Teams Win Championships”. Whatever, all I know is we came up about a hair short of taking home the Lombardi Trophy and it’s because the D didn’t get the stops at the end of the game.

I said it before and I’ll say it again, it all starts in the trenches my fellow football fans. You either protect the quarterback or you get to the quarterback. So here we have Will Davis, and I hope he can bring some heat on opposing QB’s this season. The Cardinals finished up tied for 14th in the league for team sacks, but they only had a paltry 31 sacks total. That is not good enough for a defense in my opinion, it’s real simple, they just aren’t putting enough pressure on the QB. OK, we have that out of the way. I see Will Davis as something of a tweener just like our second round draft pick, Cody Brown. Not quite big enough for true defensive end but a little more bulk than a typical linebacker.

Which again leads me to believe that the Cardinals will really try to implement more of the 3-4 defense this season. The 3-4 only works good if you have the exact personnel that can pull it off, and especially being able to apply pressure from the edges. A former wide receiver and tight end, Davis has good quick feet. His initial burst is ok and nothing spectacular and his straight-line speed is also decent. He didn’t drop to the second day of the draft for nothing.

Stats for Last Two Years at Illinois:

• 2008 - 7 tackles for loss - 3.5 sacks
• 2007 - 12.5 tackles for loss - 9.5 sacks

You can see he had a real drop off in production in 2008 as compared to 2007, probably attributed to some nagging ankle injuries. Some of the things I like about Davis are his abilities to force runners to the outside and neutralize inside running lanes allowing containment pursuit. He has decent lateral coverage and makes a good effort on the pursuit. His lower body strength is just adequate from what I’ve seen and his upper body strength is not one of his strong points as well. Because of the lack of overall strength it has been easy for offensive lineman to hook into him and take him right out of the play early. His coverage skills are almost nill and he basically just relies on his speed to rush the passer.

• 40 Yard Dash : 4.94 seconds
• Bench Press : 27.0 reps
• Vertical Jump : 33.0 inches
• Broad Jump : 115.0 inches
• 3 Cone Drill : 7.38 seconds
• 20 Yard Shuttle : 4.45 seconds

That doesn’t cut it in the NFL, it might for awhile but you have to have technique instilled into you. The thing I do like about him is that he plays well within his system and doesn’t try to be a freelancing kind of guy. I think that’s what caused Rey Maualuga’s draft stock to drop from 1st to 2nd round. So what we have in Will Davis is a raw athelete that is going to have to work with strength and conditioning coach John Lott, and work to add some much needed bulk and strength. Hopefully with some good work, Davis can help put some heat on opposing QB’s this season and we’ll end up with more than 31 sacks this year.

At the Big House in Ann Arbor Michigan, Steve Breaston flashed some big-play capability. The area where he really shined was on special teams though, owning school records for punt return and kick-off return yards, with 5 touchdowns to add into that mix. His 156  career receptions are fifth most in Michigan history. He also owns the Rose Bowl record which was set on January 1, 2005 with 316 all purpose yards.

When Steve Breaston was drafted by the Cardinals, you and I were probably thinking the same thing, all purpose kind of player, a utility guy, jack of all trades. The Cardinals were probably thinking the same thing. But sometimes fortunes have a funny way of turning and changing quickly, and that’s what occurred with Steve Breaston, it happened to be called an opportunity. In all professional sports, sometimes a player has to wait for an opportunity to really showcase his talents, sometimes it may be due to another players injury, it could be another players contract, it could be a host of reasons.

Steve Breaston - Super Bowl 43

Some players really never get that opportunity to shine. Steve Breaston had an opportunity last season to shine and he jumped at it, made the most of it. He did it in big time fashion, I never thought, and I don’t even think the Cardinal coaching staff thought Steve Breaston could be that accomplished of a receiver in only his second year. Make no mistake he was drafted to come in and give the special teams a spark with his return abilities, but not to come in and play an integral part at receiver, no way. He exhibited fantastic hands with good body control, even his route running was good. He was actually considered to be a bit raw for wide receiver at the NFL level when he was drafted.

He also displayed some incredible downfield catches, he wasn’t burner fast, but provided Kurt Warner with a bona-fide downfield threat. I think it was that 40 yarder he caught when he hooked up with KW for the sideline pass against the 49ers in the first game of the season that set the tone. It gave him confidence and it gave KW confidence in Steve Breaston. Right now Steve is the closest thing we have to a deep threat, with the All World tandem of Fitzgerald and Boldin not known as being speedy. With the unexpected growth and development of Steve Breaston at the third receiver spot, makes the Cardinals depth at the position deadly on opposing defenses.

He enjoyed a fantastic year last year and ended up with 77 catches for 1006 yards and had three touchdown catches. Not bad for the tall skinny kid who once electrified the Big House in Ann Arbor. Thank you Steve, just keep us rocking at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

Defensive End Leonard Little appears to be back all the way from a prior hamstring injury. Wide receiver Donnie Avery continues to improve and is looking better and better. But man, the Rams have got to be missing the once dynamic duo of Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, Holt is now with Jacksonville. Word is Tye Hill appears to be finally adapting to NFL coverage and his confidence is growing, hope so Tye with this being your fourth NFL season. Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa was released recently because new head coach Steve Spagnuolo wants bigger linebackers, has interests from the Bills, Bears and Eagles. Hmm….Bigger linebackers? Pisa had 135 tackles, 3 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2008.

Looks like our old friend cornerback Rod Hood payed a visit to Rams Camp and met with Steve Spagnuolo, there was some small talk between the Rams and Hood’s agent Marvin Demoff, but no deal is on the table, just some parameters. The Rams top pick in this years NFL draft, Jason Smith has been getting work at right tackle, with Alex Barron getting the nod at left tackle. Seems Strange to me, they usually put the better tackle on the left side, if the QB’s right-handed that is. Spagnuolo also seems impressed by second year defensive end Chris Long, saying he could be someone special. He could be right judging by the fact he’s worked with Mike Strahan, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora.

I was shocked when I looked up running back Stephen Jacksons’s stats and noticed he hasn’t played a full season since 2006. I know he’s had various injuries but didn’t notice that glaring stat till now. But, he’s going full bore now and sticking his head in the new offensive playbook. Rookie linebacker James Laurinaitis is supposedly looking pretty good and is picking up on their system showing he could be the real deal.

As with Mike, word is he had already gotten on his team midway through their first OTA and told them to pick up their intensity level. Like I said in my first breakdown on the 49ers, Mike Singletary doesn’t mess around and will have this team prepared come opening day. And guess who we play on opening day? You guessed right, the 49ers. This will be a statement game right off the bat. It’s a division game, we just came off the Super Bowl and the 49ers feel they can contend for the division title. Hey, it’s on.

Rookie linebacker Scott McKillop supposedly has looked pretty solid as well as rookie running back Glen Coffee. Running back Frank Gore looks like he is completely healthy from the severe ankle injury he suffered last season. Frank Gore is a dangerous back and I always cringe when he touches the ball, thank goodness he didn’t get the call for the last carry of the game during the Monday Night Football game last season. So, thank you again Mike Martz for the play you called. Maybe that’s why the 49ers have a new Offensive Coordinator in Jimmy Raye. He’s more of a Singletary kind of guy, I think Mike Martz was a little too creative and wild on offense for Singletary’s tastes.

High priced free-agent Nate Clements was overheard doing some light-hearted trash talk, glad he’s not backing it much on gameday when he playing against the Cardinals. Nothing has changed in the battle for the starting quarterback position between Shaun Hill and Alex Smith, it will probably go the whole distance between now and through training camp and pre-season games. Kind of reminds me of the Cardinals last season when it was between Kurt Warner and Matt Leinart. Like I said before, I’d like to see Alex Smith get the nod just because I think that Shaun Hill is the better player.

Cornerback Walt Harris will be out for some considerable time after suffering an injury to his ACL, he’s going to have surgery in a couple of weeks. What most fans don’t realize or that they take for granted, is that the road to the Super Bowl starts now. As soon as you start the mini-camps, OTA’s and training camp, it all matters. A part of the success required to get to the Super Bowl is luck as well, it’s having players being able to stay healthy and avoiding injuries, especially with key players. An old friend dropped by the 49ers facility and it was none other than Jerry Rice. He gave the whole team an inspirational talk and even passed around his Super Bowl bling (rings). I just want to say Hi Jerry and I’m glad to not have to see you on the field anymore.

With the loss of Walt Harris the 49ers gave cornerback Dre Bly a one year deal. To me that’s a definite bolster to their defensive secondary, Dre Bly is good and is a ball hawk too. You definitely have to be aware of his presence on the field. Since his rookie season in 1999, his 40 interceptions ranks as fourth highest among NFL players and his 18 forced fumbles rank as highest during that time. He is a force to be reckoned with, let’s hope he’s not on his A game when they play the Cardinals.

That’s it for some info on the 49ers camp and what they’ve been doing to prepare for the 2009 season. I’ll keep the Arizona Cardinals fans updated on our division foe.

Position: CB - 5′11′ - 200 lbs, College: Southern

Aeneas Demetrius Williams, born on January 29th 1968 in New Orleans, LA. When you talk about Arizona Cardinals history, you have to talk about Aeneas Williams. I remember watching Aeneas in his first pre-season game and I knew he was going to be a special player. With players like these you just know right away, there’s no mistaking the talent. Some players stroll right from college to the NFL without a struggle, that’s Aeneas.

Impact players with a positive impact. Not only was Aeneas Williams an impact player as far as football and playing the game, he was the consummate team player and team leader. All class on and off the field. When you watched him he kind of reminded me of Marshall Faulk just in the way some players have that extra sense of the game, football intelligence. Just knowing where to be on the field, anticipation and knowing where the ball was going to. Like I’ve written in some of my other posts, Aeneas had talents that are hard to teach and they are just naturally blessed.

Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals: 1991-2000

St. Louis Rams: 2001-2004

Heck in his rookie season he already established himself as a shutdown corner and was second in the league in interceptions right behind Ronnie Lott, that’s good company to keep in your first year. Sophomore Jinx? Not here, he just got better and better as the years wore on. Aeneas was the complete cornerback, not really any weaknesses that I can think of about in his game, I do know he brought his A game each and every week because he only missed 4 games in his entire NFL career. Just another notch on his long and Hall of Fame type of career. I honestly hope he gets voted into Canton one day.

Aeneas Williams Career Stats and NFL Honors and Awards - Jersey  #35

• 55 career interceptions - 17th all-time
• 23 Fumble recoveries
• 12 Touchdowns
• 795 Tackles
• 8 Time Pro Bowl selection (1994, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 2001, 2003)
• 4 Time First Team All Pro Selection (1995, 96, 97, 2001)
• Selected to the NFL’s 1990’s All Decade Team
• Inducted into the Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor

Some people feel that Aeneas Williams is the greatest Cardinal of all time, I think that’s hard to say because the game still goes on. There have been some great Cardinals players, but they might have a point. I’ll leave that up to someone else, I’ll just say he was definitely one of the greatest cornerbacks to ever play this game that I have ever seen.

Aeneas retired from the NFL after the 2004 season and is currently very active in his church and serves as it’s Pastor.

Did you say Big? No, I’m not talking about Big, as in Leonard Davis, but this man is BIG. First thing is we need to come up with is a nickname for Herman Johnson, it is only befitting we do so. He makes Big Leonard look like someone who needs to add some bulk. Maybe Herman “House” Johnson? Come to find out, he already has had that nickname since high school. Finally the cycle is broken, the buck stops here and the Cardinals take an offensive player again after round 1.

It all starts in the trenches, wars and won and lost in the trenches. It’s no different in the NFL. It all starts with the Offensive and Defensive lines. The offensive line needs improvement especially on run blocking, I’m talking about blowing people off the ball and eating up real estate. We need better running lanes for our running backs, no doubt. So, that’s why Herman Johnson was taken in the 5th round to help in that area.

2009 NFL Combine Results:

40 Yd dash: 5.51 sec

Bench Press: (225 lbs):  21 reps

Herman be nimble Herman be quick. For a big man, Herman Johnson is known for being very quick on his feet, that is a great attribute to have on the offensive line and for having that size, well, it’s hard to teach something like that. He had 16 downfield blocks while at LSU to back that up, pretty impressive. He also brings a natural explosive first move off of the ball and uses his arms to jack up the opposing D-Lineman and has the ability to set back down in a lower position for superior leverage. People don’t realize just how much leverage comes into play at this level, but it makes or breaks you as far as player development.

Credit: Louisiana State University Atheletics

Another thing I like about Herman Johnson is he’s also a  pretty good pass blocker and has good lateral movement and balance. His straight ahead drive blocking is scary at times and with his huge set of hands he just locks and “holds” onto people. But at this level he is going to still have to work on and develop technique wise, and Russ Grimm is the tutor, one of the best. The big question is, where are the Cardinals going to see a fit for him on the O-line? Offensive tackle or guard, left tackle or right tackle. That is yet to be seen and like I just said it will depend on his maturation and development. But just by his size and height you would think tackle, in my opinion.

He’s has a reputation for being mentally tough and still plays hard in the 4th quarter, the Cardinals need players like that, it’s all part of the Ken Whisenhunt vision and plan. You build a tough team with tough and mentally strong players. In this his third season with the Cardinals, Coach Whiz is slowly getting rid of the players who don’t have the fight till the end mentality. Yeah, I agree, couldn’t agree more on that. We don’t need any more of those Monday Night meltdowns around this town. I just can’t see it….

I couldn’t imagine Coach Whiz on a podium and saying, “We lost the game to the Seahawks and they were who we  thought they were!”  Those times seem like a long time ago.