The Cards were without a couple of key players during workouts on Wednesday, as both WR Anquan Boldin and DE Darnell Dockett were not in attendance.  Many say that Boldin not being there is a sign of wanting a new deal.  His current contract runs through 2010, and he’s making an average of $4 mil per season.  He just saw fellow WR Larry Fitzgerald rake in a new $40 million dollar deal for 4 years with $30 mil guaranteed.

As for Dockett, he signed a five-year, $22 million contract extension in October 2006, but is also thinking about new money, even though the team has been steadfast in not moving fast on either player, if they will at all.  “I’d prefer that they’d be here, but these workouts are voluntary,” said coach Ken Whisenhunt.

Cardinals wide out Anquan Boldin wants to make one thing clear.  He does not want to be traded from the Cardinals.  Taking part in the Cardinals mini-camp, Boldin went on record and made sure to tell reporters that he wants to stick with the Cards, and hopefully be part of a franchise that is ready to take a step to the next level.  “I went to sleep one night, woke up the next morning and was disgruntled, I wanted out of Arizona and all this stuff,” Boldin said.  “And I hadn’t even talked to anybody.  It was funny to see the reports going around, especially around the draft time.

“We were under the impression the whole time that [we were] just keeping things under wraps, like we usually do,” Boldin said.  “I don’t feel like going to the media every time something happens because I think the business between me and the ballclub is between us and that’s how it should stay.”  The first report said that it was Boldin that wanted a deal out of Arizona, but now it seems that things have been smoothed over between he and the team.

Boldin’s current deal is signed through 2010 at salaries of $2.5 million, $2.75 million, and $3 million over the next three seasons.

Cards first round draft pick Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie spoke out today as he gets set to take the field for the first time this weekend with the Cardinals in a mini-camp.  The corner says he wants to take each moment of what he and the Cardinals hope will be a long NFL career in before he hits the field for the first time.  “I was just going to sit in the locker room for a few minutes with the helmet on my head and close my eyes and just look back over all the things I’ve been through and just say, ‘I’m finally here,”’ Rodgers-Cromartie said Thursday, when the club formally introduced him to the media. “And then go to work.” Rodgers-Cromartie will be a welcome sight for the Cards if he works out, as they are a team that has needed help at the corner spot for awhile.  If he can come in and help the 28th ranked pass defense, the pick will be well worth it.

The Cardinals needed help in the corner spot, and Saturday they were able to secure what many think is the best CB in the draft, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from Tennessee State.  Last season in 11 games he had 37 tackles, and 2 picks.  He is a very solid cover guy and is very aggressive, meaning he can make plays, but sometimes does a little too much, which is something the Cards will have to work on.  Look for Rodgers-Cromartie to be a steal at this spot when it’s all said and done.

Here is a scouting report on Rodgers-Cromartie from NFLdraftcountdown.com

Strengths:
Naturally athletic and very smooth…Great height with long arms and some growth potential…Very good timed speed with a burst to close…Instinctive and breaks on the ball quickly…Terrific agility…Playmaker with exceptional ball skills…Aggressive and confident…Was pretty productive at his level…Also an excellent kick returner.

Weaknesses:
Needs to add weight and bulk up…Not very physical and has to get stronger…Did not play against top competition…Still raw and will need to work on his technique and footwork…Struggles to shed blocks…Doesn’t really offer much in run support.

Notes:
Attended four different high schools and didn’t play football until his senior year..A Division II All-American…Also participated in track for the Tigers, winning the Ohio Valley Conference championships in the 60 yard dash, the long jump and the high jump…Needs to put some time in at the training table and in the weight room but has the talent to make the NFL leap…One of the top sleepers prospects available.

And here is ESPN’s take on Rodgers-Cromartie:

Rodgers-Cromartie isn’t as strong against the run as teams would like and he needs to add some weight to his frame. On the flip side, he quieted concerns about facing small-school competition with an excellent showing during Senior Bowl week and an outstanding performance at the combine. There’s little question about his upside; he’s fast enough to run with any receiver and he can cut on a dime. In addition, he can line up at free safety and he has the range to play a center fielder type role.