TEMPE, Ariz. - Few rookie receivers have had the kind of start Anquan Boldin has managed with the dismal Cardinals.
The second-round draft pick out of Florida State leads the NFC in yards receiving with 592 and is tied for second in receptions with 39. Not bad for a player whose 40-yard time was deemed too slow to make him a first-round pick.
"I expected to have success in this league. I didn't know when," Boldin said. "It's coming quite early, but that's because of the opportunities I've been given."
The Cardinals knew how good Boldin was shortly after training camp began, and he was kept under wraps for much of the preseason.
He burst onto the scene in the opener against Detroit, catching 10 passes for 217 yards, which broke a 56-year-old record for a rookie receiver's debut.
Boldin proved he is no one-game fluke with consistently strong play, even though defenses began to focus on him. His numbers:
Seattle - eight catches, 62 yards; Green Bay - five for 99; St. Louis - seven for 86; Dallas - three for 33; Baltimore - six for 95.
"Everybody leaguewide knows who he is now," coach Dave McGinnis said.
That's for sure. During September, Boldin's page on NFL.com received 101,568 views, more than any other player. Priest Holmes of Kansas City was 30,000 hits behind.
Giants drop Super bid
The Giants and their landlord have abandoned efforts to bring the 2008 Super Bowl to Giants Stadium and will offer a "far superior" bid for 2009. That leaves Tampa Bay, Arizona and Washington as candidates for 2008, which will be awarded Oct. 30.
The announcement by the Giants and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority came less than four weeks after they reached an agreement on renovating Giants Stadium with an eye toward landing the Super Bowl. On the field, cornerback Will Peterson might miss the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his lower back. He was hurt against Miami on Oct. 5, but didn't miss any action in that game or in Sunday's loss to New England.
BENGALS: The team changed backup receivers, waiving Lawrence Hamilton and signing Kevin Walter, a rookie from Eastern Michigan, off the practice squad.
BROWNS: Guard Shaun O'Hara had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and will be sidelined at least three weeks.
COLTS: Running back James Mungro had surgery on his right knee for a "loose body" and is expected to miss the Oct. 26 game against Houston. The team has a bye this weekend.
RAIDERS: Linebacker Bill Romanowski was sued by teammate Marcus Williams, seriously injured when they fought during practice. The suit seeks unspecified damages for alleged battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Romanowski instigated the fight Aug. 24 when he ripped off Williams' helmet and punched him in the face, breaking a bone around his left eye. That put Williams on injured reserve and ended his season.
RAMS: Robert Thomas will start at middle linebacker against Green Bay after missing a week with a groin injury.
ARENA LEAGUE: The Tampa Bay Storm re-signed free agents Clif Dell and Hurley Tarver. Dell, a wide receiver/linebacker out of USF, was the team's third-leading receiver last season. Tarver, a wide receiver/defensive back, played in just two games before injuring his knee.
