ASSOCIATED PRESS
Arizona Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin threw the ball during an NFC practice Wednesday.
Rookie exceeds
expectationsArizona receiver Anquan Boldin
never thought he'd make the
Pro Bowl after his first season
Sometimes Anquan Boldin surprises even himself.
When the Arizona Cardinals picked the Florida State receiver in the second round of last year's NFL Draft, a trip to Hawaii wasn't how he envisioned finishing his rookie season.
"I just expected to come in and contribute to my team. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to make the Pro Bowl in my first season," Boldin said. "I attribute that to hard work and my coaches giving me opportunities and getting me prepared to play week in and week out."
The Cardinals' lone Pro Bowl representative set a rookie record with 101 catches going for 1,377 yards and eight touchdowns. He opened his professional career by catching 10 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns against Detroit. He also posted a 10-catch, 122-yard outing against Seattle late in the season.
Boldin has proved to be a quick learner in the NFL and as the youngest player on the NFC roster, he's continuing to pick up tips from the veterans.
"I'm out there just trying to learn from them," he said. "Although it's an all-star game, guys still work on their technique and things like that."
Boldin, an All-Atlantic Coast Conference receiver at Florida State, actually ended his college career on the other end of passes.
With Florida State's top two quarterbacks either suspended or kicked off the team and the third-stringer ineffective, Boldin stepped in behind center during the 2003 Sugar Bowl. He had a hand in both of FSU's scores, throwing a touchdown pass (a 40-yarder) and catching another in a 26-13 loss to Georgia.
"It was fun, but those days are over," Boldin said with a laugh. "I'm a receiver now and I'm going to try to be the best at that."
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Peyton Manning (Colts) and Todd Heap (Ravens) joked around during an AFC practice yesterday.
Tickets available, blackout lifted: As of yesterday afternoon, tickets were still available for tomorrow's Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium, as some were released back to the NFL by players, coaches and their families.
Also, the game will be televised live in Hawaii, starting at 2:30 p.m. by ESPN, as the NFL lifted the TV blackout yesterday.
Ticket prices range from $30 to $150. They can be purchased by phone at (877) 750-4400, online at www.ticketmaster.com or in person at Aloha Stadium and Ticketmaster outlets at Times Super Markets, Blaisdell Arena and Brigham Young-Hawaii.
Still picking: While Boldin and 39 other first-year Pro Bowlers soak in the island experience, veteran defensive back Aeneas Williams is enjoying watching the newcomers blend into the all-star gathering.
"It's always good to see their reaction, see how they walk around a little gingerly at first," the St. Louis Rams safety said. "It's one thing to get into the NFL, but now being recognized by your peers, fans and coaches that you're one of the best at your position and to be here is quite a blessing. It still might not hit them until they get on the plane going home."
Williams, a former walk-on at Southern University and the only Pro Bowler born before 1970, is finishing up his 13th season and participating in his eighth all-star game. He had four interceptions this season, giving him 55 in his career. He established himself as one of the league's all-time best cornerbacks with the Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, but this year made the Pro Bowl in his first season as a safety.
"I've always just went after reaching my potential. I just happen to be at another position," he said. "All the other stuff has been extra. You're pursuing reaching your potential and these awards come along with that."
Williams said he's gotten past the disappointing ending to St. Louis' season, as the Rams watched Carolina's Steve Smith sprint to the end zone to end a double-overtime classic in the NFC playoffs.
"There's only one team where it ends correctly," Williams said. "You understand that and are able to get over that and get prepared to go at it again next year."
Gotta be the shoes: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck makes an impressive footwear fashion statement at NFC practice when he shows the sole of his shoe. Along with the more traditional football spikes, the bottom of his foot is adorned with Hibiscus aloha print and the official Pro Bowl logo.
Now they even have Pro Bowl shoes?
"Reebok did a special make-up," Hasselbeck said. "They did the bottom like this to look like a Hawaiian shirt."
Hasselbeck said all Reebok clients got a new pair of shoes for the Pro Bowl. "Some of the fast guys," he said, reaching into St. Louis quarterback Marc Bulger's locker (he may or may not be a fast guy), "got them (spikes) dipped in silver."
Hasselbeck was visibly thrilled with his new shoes. He was asked if they needed to be broken in.
"Naw," he said. "These shoes are nice. These fit my feet better than any shoes I've ever worn. I don't even need to wear socks."
And so he didn't.
Short yardage: More than 30 Hawaii non-profit organizations will receive a combined $100,000 as part of the NFL Charities Pro Bowl Grant Program, the NFL announced yesterday. ... Tomorrow's halftime show, "25 Years of Aloha," features Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Willie K, along with 200 local hula dancers, traditional drummers, conch shell blowers, fire knife dancers and Hawaii's "Ambassador of Aloha," Danny Kaleikini. ... Kiley Dean will perform the national anthem.
The Star-Bulletin's Jason Kaneshiro, Dave Reardon and Kalani Simpson contributed to this report.
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