The Cardinals played much like they did in the final two preseason games - sloppy. They needed to be sharp, because the 49ers' defense plays them as well as anyone.

Cornerback Nate Clements has been effective against receiver Larry Fitzgerald, and with Anquan Boldin hobbling and Steve Breaston out, the Cardinals alternatives were limited.
Running back Tim Hightower was effective as a receiver but gained just 15 yards on eight carries. Rookie Beanie Wells didn't receive a lot of work, but his performance (seven attempts, 29 yards) merits more playing time.

Right tackle Levi Brown struggled in pass protection against linebacker Parys Haralson.

There were times when quarterback Kurt Warner didn't seem to help his line much, holding onto the ball too long in an attempt to make plays downfield.

With six offensive penalties, three sacks and two interceptions, the Cardinals had far too many negative plays.

Defense: The Cardinals played well enough to win, despite giving up an 80-yard drive in the fourth quarter.

They shut down running back Frank Gore with a scheme that included some nice run blitzes by inside linebacker Gerald Hayes (10 tackles) and Karlos Dansby (six tackles).

End Darnell Dockett gave right tackle Adam Snyder problems all day, but then Dockett gives everyone problems.

The Cardinals also used a four-lineman look at times, moving nose tackle Bryan Robinson to end.

The Cardinals came up with only one turnover, and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie might have had another one. Early in the 49ers' 80-yard drive, he had his hands on a long pass but couldn't hang on. It was good coverage but an interception there would have been huge.

Right end Calais Campbell made a solid starting debut.

Special teams: The only blemishes were two penalties.

Neil Rackers made all three field-goal attempts, and the 49ers' return game produced nothing.

Punter Ben Graham was a big reason for that. He had a net average of 45.2 yards, and he had a 64-yard boot that pinned the 49ers at their 2-yard line late in the game. That punt helped give the offense one last shot to take the lead.

Antrel Rolle returned punts in place of Steve Breaston and did a solid job. His 27-yard return late in the game was the team's longest since 2007.

Quote: "It's hard when you miss throws, when you drop balls, when you (are) offsides, when you have holding penalties, when you get it third and 15s. It's hard to establish a rhythm."

- Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt

"I know from our perspective, nothing has changed," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "We're a much better football team with Anquan than we are without him. so nothing has changed from that perspective."
--Defensive end Darnell Dockett and outside linebacker Bertrand Berry have joined Boldin in skipping voluntary workouts. Dockett is also upset that he doesn't have a new contract, and Berry's reasons are unknown.

"That's part of the business," said quarterback Kurt Warner. You don't get mad at guys in those situations. (But) you don't want guys staying at home because they don't want to be here and don't have a reason not to be here."

--Warner is moving well in practices, but he still has some pain in his surgically repaired hip. "As far as functionally though, I feel great," he said. "I feel strong...It's just a matter of pain."

--In his younger days, Larry Fitzgerald wasn't the hardest working guy at practice. But he's grown up, and coaches often point to his work ethic as an example to younger players.

Mike Miller, the Cardinals' passing-game coordinator, has been impressed with Early Doucet's learning ability and work ethic. He sees a different player than he did six months ago and encourages Doucet to follow Fitzgerald's lead.

"Having Larry around is a great thing as far as the staff goes, because we don't have to police a lot of these guys," said passing game coordinator Mike Miller. "They can see it for themselves just by how hard Larry pushes himself and how he finishes every play in practice."

Miller points out Fitzgerald's effort during film sessions.

"I'll say, 'This is not an accident, guys,' " Miller said."Larry gets it. He understands how valuable practice is, how important it is to run after the catch and to attack the football. And it's carrying over."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "As a young player trying to make a name for yourself, you want to take advantage of those opportunities. It's all part of the game, too, because you never know when somebody is going to go down. You've got to be ready to step up whenever that time may be." -- Receiver Early Doucet on the advantage of extra reps in the absence of Anquan Boldin.

It may be wishful thinking.

Boldin, who has been at odds with the team over his contract and had expressed a desire to be traded, did not attend Wednesday's voluntary "organized team activities" at the club's Tempe training facility, and coach Ken Whisenhunt said it remained to be determined whether anything has changed.
"I know from our perspective . . . nothing has changed," Whisenhunt said. "We're a much better football team with Anquan than we are without him, and we have a high regard for him. So nothing has changed from that perspective."

Question is, has anything changed from Boldin's perspective? Until he names his new representation, the Cardinals aren't likely to know the answer. Whisenhunt said agent changes are just part of the NFL.

"You see that happen in this business, so I can't say I was surprised," he said. "But that was really more about what Anquan thought was best for him, I would guess. You'd have to discuss that with him."

There was speculation by some that Boldin might attend Wednesday's workout. The NFL Network even dispatched a crew just in case.

Asked whether he was hopeful that Boldin might appear, Whisenhunt said: "I'm hopeful that everybody shows up every day, but once again, this is not mandatory. This is voluntary and I'm very pleased we have such a large turnout."

Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett and defensive end Bertrand Berry also did not participate Wednesday.

Quarterback Kurt Warner said the team's veterans are trying to lead by example in attending the workouts, but he doesn't take issue with players in contract disputes sitting them out.

"We're behind those guys," he said. "Those guys are our teammates. We want them to get something done. And we know as soon as that happens and that stuff is solidified, they'll be out here with us and they want to be out here with us.

"That's part of the business we understand. You don't get mad at guys in those situations. (But) you don't want guys staying home because they don't want to be here and don't have a reason not to be here."

Notes

Warner on his surgically repaired left hip: "It's getting better, the pain is lessening - small increments, but it's lessening.

"As far as functionally though, I feel great. I feel strong. It doesn't feel like it limits me in anything I do out here. It's just a matter of pain. I'm waiting for that day when I'm completely pain free, but other than that I'm good."

• Whisenhunt on the opportunity for Steve Breaston with Boldin out: "What we saw last year, Steve Breaston really stood up and took the reins with that opportunity . . . and it paid off for him.

"It's still the second week and we still have two more weeks and a lot of stuff yet to go in, so it's hard to say who is going to step up or who is going to be put in that situation.

"But I know this, we have a lot of young guys getting reps at positions. Hopefully that will pay off for them and us at training camp because we're getting a chance for them to learn, to see situations, to actually experience getting the reps and hopefully when we get to preseason games or into camp they'll be a little better polished and better able to compete."

According to reports, the Pro Bowl receiver filed papers Friday notifying the NFL Players Association of his intent to dismiss Rosenhaus. Boldin, after waiting a mandatory five business days in accordance with union rules, can hire new representation Friday.

"You have to make the right decision for you and your future and I think 'Q' made a great decision," said Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby, who also recently changed agents in hopes of striking a new deal with the team.
"He was being (attacked) in the media because of the decisions he was making through his representation. For him to change his representation like that is big, man. That says a lot about him."

Boldin did not attend the start of this week's team voluntary workouts Tuesday and was unavailable for comment. There was speculation, however, that he might report to today's workouts as a show of good faith.

Rosenhaus left this comment on his Twitter page: "Regarding Anquan Boldin, let me say I have great respect for him. I'm hopeful that we can work things out and he will return to the Rosenhaus Sports family in the near future."

New blood

Boldin reportedly is considering several new agents, including fellow Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald's representatives, Eugene Parker and Paul Lawrence. Boldin also is said to be considering the agent tandem of Tom Condon and Ben Dogra.

Boldin is under contract for two more years with the Cardinals, at $2.75 million this year and $3 million in 2010, a deal Rosenhaus renegotiated in 2005.

Rosenhaus pushed for a new deal, however, after the Cardinals re-signed Fitzgerald to a four-year, $40 million extension before last season. The Cardinals told Boldin they would try to oblige but first had to attend to new deals for Dansby and Pro Bowl safety Adrian Wilson.

Boldin, under advice from Rosenhaus, demanded a trade last summer and said he would never re-sign with the Cardinals. His position softened in the ensuing months and, after helping the Cardinals reach Super Bowl XLIII, dialogue resumed about a new contract.

But through it all, Boldin's reputation took a hit, although his performance on the field never came into question. He finished the 2008 regular season with 89 receptions for 1,038 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Warner weighs in

"We understand public perception is a huge part of our business. But oftentimes, that public perception is wrong," Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner said. "You can't go out and dispute it all the time, but just thinking about a guy like 'Q,' the guy does everything right. He busts his butt, he's here every day, he's a great leader for us, and he just wants to be compensated fairly for what he's accomplished and what he brings to the table. None of us fault him for that. There's no way in our book that he should ever have a bad reputation because of that."

Firing Rosenhaus might help change perception, but it doesn't guarantee Boldin getting a new deal.

Warner sees the change as hopeful.

"I'm hopeful every day," Warner said. "Maybe Anquan felt there was a sticking point there and that this is going to free some things up and allow them to have a different approach moving forward and better with the Cardinals. I've had hope from Day 1 that they can get something done."

Dansby said he has been trading text messages with Boldin on an almost-daily basis, and although Boldin's decision to fire Rosenhaus caught Dansby by surprise, the linebacker said the move probably is a step in the right direction.

"Hopefully, yeah, the ball will get bouncing now and he can come back on the field and feel comfortable about his situation," Dansby said.