Wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who is looking for a new contract, has decided to change agents with his situation still unresolved.
Most of the principals in the story weren't talking much Tuesday, if at all, as the news broke that Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin – trying to get a new contract from the team – had decided to change agents.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt wasn't available after the team's organized team activity (he speaks on Wednesdays). Boldin still hadn't appeared to take part in the voluntary on-field work. The ousted agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did confirm the news via Twitter but that was about it. The Cardinals confirmed they had received written notification Boldin had terminated Rosenhaus but the team declined to comment further.
In the meantime, Boldin's teammates were hoping the development meant a start to a healing process between Boldin and the Cards.
"Oftentimes public perception is wrong," quarterback Kurt Warner said. "Just think of a guy like Q. The guy does everything right and he busts his butt and he's a great leader for us. He wants to just be compensated fairly for what he has accomplished and for what he brings to the table. None of us fault him for that and there is no way, in our book, he should ever have a bad reputation because of that."
There is little question Boldin's reputation has taken a hit throughout his contract issues with the team. Many fans traced Boldin's decisions to speak publicly or skip voluntary work back to Rosenhaus, who has represented multiple high-profile players using similar tactics.
It should be noted, however, that Rosenhaus has represented Boldin the bulk of his NFL career while Boldin was building his initial reputation as the face of the franchise, including when Boldin signed his current contract extension back in 2005.
"It is hard (to change)," said linebacker Karlos Dansby, who changed agents himself earlier this offseason while contract extension talks were on-going. "You have to make the right decision for you and your future.
"I think Q made a great decision. He was being (criticized) in the media and it was all because of the decisions he was making through his representation. For him to change, it's big. It says a lot about him and his character."
Dansby said he has texted Boldin "now and then," but had never talked to Boldin about agents. Dansby admitted he was surprised Boldin made the choice and expressed hope it meant good things between the team and Boldin.
"Hopefully the ball will get bouncing and he can be back out here and he can get comfortable that his situation will get handled," Dansby said. "A move like this, it's big. It's huge."
How much the change will aid in the relationship between the team and player remains an unknown. Part of that has to do with Boldin's choice for a new agent, although a player must wait five days after terminating an agent agreement before he can sign with a different agent. Boldin is eligible to hire a new agent Thursday.
For his part, Rosenhaus apparently hasn't given up on Boldin.
"Regarding Anquan Boldin, let me say I have great respect for him," Rosenhaus wrote on his Twitter page. "I'm hopeful that we can work things out and he will return to the Rosenhaus Sports family in the near future."
EXTRA POINTS
The Cardinals returned to begin their second week of voluntary OTAs Tuesday. Tight end Leonard Pope returned, although Boldin, defensive tackle Darnell Dockett and defensive end Bertrand Berry remain absent. …
Former Cardinals cornerback Rod Hood, released after the draft, signed with Cleveland.
Contact Darren Urban at askdarren@cardinals.nfl.net. Posted 5/26/09. Updated 5/26/09.
