Cardinals' Boldin set to fire agent Rosenhaus

[May 27, 2009]  PHOENIX (AP) -- Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin is in the process of firing his agent Drew Rosenhaus.

Boldin, in a long contract dispute with the team, informed the NFL Players Association in a letter that he intended to replace the agent. The players association says it received the letter on Friday, so with the required five-day waiting period, Boldin can sign with a new agent on Thursday.

Rosenhaus issued a statement saying he has "great respect" for Boldin.

"I'm hopeful we can work things out and he will return to the Rosenhaus Sports family in the near future," Rosenhaus said.

Boldin, who has two years left on his contract with the Cardinals, is upset with the team's management over what he says was a failed promise for a new deal last offseason. He has asked for a trade. The Cardinals said they would listen to offers but on draft day said no team had proposed a deal that could be seriously considered.

The three-time Pro Bowl receiver sat out minicamp with what he said was a sore hamstring. He has not participated in any of the Cardinals' voluntary workouts the last two weeks.

Quarterback Kurt Warner has been outspoken in his desire to get Boldin back with the team.

"Maybe Anquan felt that there was a sticking point there and that this is going to free some things up and allow them to have a different approach coming forward and work better with the Cardinals," Warner said after the workout on Tuesday. "I really don't know. I don't want to speculate on the reasons behind it all but I think I've had hope from day one that they can get something done."

Boldin has been represented by Rosenhaus since being drafted out of Florida State in the second round by Arizona in 2003. He signed a four-year, $22.75 million extension with Arizona in August of 2006, a deal that keeps him under contract through the 2010 campaign. He has a base salary of about $2.75 million next season and $3 million in 2010.

Linebacker Karlos Dansby, who also has an unsettled contract situation, said for Boldin to part from an agent who has represented him his entire career is "huge for him."

"Hopefully the ball will get bouncing and hopefully he'll be back out here on the field and be comfortable that his situation will get handled," Dansby said.

The Cardinals had no comment.

General manager Rod Graves has said the team wants to re-sign the receiver, but has two other players -- Dansby and safety Adrian Wilson -- it wants to deal with first.

Dansby has been given the franchise tag for the second year in a row and Wilson has one year remaining on his contract.

Boldin's fellow Pro Bowl wideout in Arizona, Larry Fitzgerald, signed a four-year, $40 million contract, with $30 million guaranteed, before last season.

Boldin, who says Fitzgerald deserved every penny, said he is underpaid in the current market. At the start of training camp last season, he said he would never re-sign with the Cardinals.

But with the team holding him under contract for two years, his options are limited.

[Associated Press; By BOB BAUM]

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