Unhappy Campers Come Through for Cardinals

The Cardinals had 100 percent attendance at their recent minicamp, but that doesn't mean everyone is happy. Receiver Anquan Boldin, who wants a new deal, didn't practice because he said he "tweaked" a hamstring just days before. Defensive end Darnell Dockett, who thinks he's underpaid, practiced but didn't seem thrilled to be there.

The Cardinals have several players who want new contracts, but all of them said all the right things. The contract problems aren't going to create dissension in the locker room, they said.

"I think when it's all said and done, we'll be intact," Anquan Boldin said.

One thing is for sure, the players' contract situations should make the Cardinals' locker room an interest workplace this fall, said running back Edgerrin James.

"I love a little controversy," James said. "You come to work and you don't know what to expect, makes you want to come to work. You don't know what the (expletive) will happen."

James thinks the situation will work out, and viewed it as a good sign that everyone showed up for minicamp.

"As long as everybody is here, they'll get it all worked out," James said. "You don't see one team where everything is going good for them. If everything was going good I'd probably get scared."

PLAYER NOTES

--Receiver Larry Fitzgerald didn't hesitate to use his 44-pound weight advantage against rookie cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in minicamp. He pushed off and shoved the rookie a couple of times. But that wasn't done just for the rookie's benefit.

"Larry's working on getting better on some of things where he needs to be," said coach Ken Whisenhunt. "One of things we've talked about before is being a little bit more physical, whether it's run after catch or some of those situations in games. So it's nice to see Larry working on some things."

--Rookie receiver Early Doucet used mutual friends to get in touch with receiver Anquan Boldin last season. Doucet models his game after Boldin, and the two spent a lot of time together at minicamp.

"It's cool having the younger guys coming in, looking up to you, but in that comes responsibility," Boldin said. "You have to carry yourself as a professional every day. Whenever you are on the practice field, same thing, you have to work that way. That's what guys really look at.

"It's always about helping the next guy," he said. "Along the line, all of us had help somewhere. Whether it's been in high school, college or at this level. To turn your back on a young kid, it's not right."

--The Cardinals' pro scouting department will be empty by the end of the month. GM Rod Graves fired pro scout Rashaan Curry and pro scout Jim Stanley will retire at the end of May. There likely will be a restructuring in the department. Steve Keim could receive a promotion from director of college scouting. Scout Lonnie Young might be in for a promotion. Graves also has talked to Charles Bailey, a former executive with the Jaguars, and Ted Sundquist, former Broncos general manger.

--Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was happy the team could get his whole name (a combination of father's and mother's surname) on the back of his jersey.

"I thought I was going to have to pick one," he joked, "either Rodgers or Cromartie," he said.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm outgoing, very lovable, fun to be around. A man of great character, just a lovable guy." -- Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.