Wide receiver Michael Floyd is all smiles after the first-round pick signed his first NFL contract Monday.
The rookies are all signed in early June, and once, that might have been thought impossible.
The Cardinals had their issues over the years, like many teams, getting their No. 1 selections to ink a contract by the time training camp started. Instead, there was top pick Michael Floyd – along with third-rounder Jamell Fleming – signing on the dotted line in a conference room inside the team's Tempe facility a day before the Cards began minicamp and weeks before training camp.
"I was really anxious to get this out of the way and just worry about football," Floyd said. "I'm glad it is done with."
Floyd, a wide receiver, signed a five-year contract. Fleming, a cornerback, got a four-year deal. As usual, terms of the contracts were not announced, but rookie contracts have been made much simpler with the new collective bargaining agreement that essentially slots each drafted player and basically dictates the terms of the deal.
Fleming has stood out in the team's 10 organized team activities thus far, looking comfortable after coming from the University of Oklahoma. Floyd has had some good moments too, although he is expected to stand out more once the pads are put on and his strengths – physical play, the ability to block – are on display.
Floyd, meanwhile, said NFL life has worked for him so far.
"It's been a smooth transition, on and off the field," Floyd said. "I like the team, I like the coaches. They want to win down here and I'm here to contribute."
The Cardinals also re-signed veteran defensive end Vonnie Holliday to a one-year contract Monday. Their roster stands maxed out at 90 players with two practices Tuesday and Wednesday, with the close of minicamp Thursday morning. The Cards then won't be back on the field until training camp in July 25.