By BOB BAUM
AP Sports Writer
TEMPE, Ariz.(AP) -- Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin says he's
"moved on" after Sunday's critical comments directed at coach
Ken Whisenhunt and his staff.
Boldin said he has no regrets about those comments.
"I said what I had to say and I'm done with it," Boldin said on
Wednesday. "For me, it's not even an issue. That was Sunday and
I've moved on."
The three-time Pro Bowl receiver was held out of Sunday's 41-21
victory at Chicago because of a sprained right ankle and
complained afterward that "no one was man enough" to tell him he
was inactive.
He said he felt good enough to play and only found out he wasn't
when he returned to his locker after warmups and discovered his
gear was gone.
Whisenhunt said after the game that he told Boldin he would not
be playing shortly after the inactive list was submitted.
The coach did not want to revisit the incident.
"I have no issues with Anquan," Whisenhunt said. "He's a good
football player and I'm just glad to see him back out there
practicing today."
Boldin was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and
Whisenhunt said he expected him to play in Sunday's home game
against Seattle.
"My injury's fine. It's not even an injury," Boldin said. "I'm
feeling great. I can make every cut without hesitation, so I'm
good."
Boldin injured his ankle on Oct. 11 in the Cardinals' 28-21
victory over Houston. He still played in the subsequent games
against Seattle and the New York Giants, but took a direct hit
on the ankle Nov. 1 in Arizona's home loss to Carolina.
He sat out practice last Wednesday and Thursday but was able to
go on a limited basis in last Friday's workout. Whisenhunt said
he decided to sit Boldin because of the soft conditions of the
turf in Chicago, which he felt could lead to aggravating the
ankle injury.
Boldin's post-game criticism was just the latest in a series of
issues for the receiver, who remains upset that Arizona has not
signed him to a new contract, something he insists management
promised to do. He has one more year after this season left on
his deal.
Boldin has been plagued by injuries, including the nasty facial
fracture that came at the end of last year's loss to the New
York Jets. The injury required reconstructive surgery, but he
only missed one game.
Boldin also injured a hamstring during a 71-yard touchdown pass
play in the first-round playoff victory over Atlanta and sat out
the team's second-round win at Carolina.
Then came the NFC championship game, when he had a nationally
televised shouting match with then-offensive coordinator Todd
Haley on the sidelines because he was not in the game during
what turned out to be Arizona's winning touchdown drive. He
immediately left that game, not celebrating with his teammates.
Against Carolina this season, Boldin broke Larry Centers'
franchise record for career receptions. Afterward, he said the
record doesn't mean anything to him.
Despite his off-field attitude, Boldin has played with his usual
effort and intensity. No one has accused him of letting his
feelings toward the organization affect his performance on the
field.
"Anybody who plays football risks injury," Boldin said. "Every
play you're out there risking not only injury but your life.
That's just football. You have to take the bumps and bruises and
get back as quickly as possible, and that's what I try to do
whenever I'm injured."
The 29-year-old receiver, in his seventh season with Arizona,
disputes the notion that his hard-nosed style makes him more
susceptible to injuries, a perception that could affect the
Cardinals' or any other team's desire to sign him to the
big-money, long-term deal he desires.
"People always have an opinion, no matter how you play the
game," he said. "People talked about Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce
for sliding on the turf, not taking hits. Guys that do mix it up
a little bit, people have a problem with that. You just have to
be you. I'm comfortable with who I am. I'm comfortable with the
way I play the game, and that won't change."
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