--General manager Rod Graves is likely to spend the next few months acting like a father whose teenage sons are constantly asking for money. Somehow, Graves is going to have to tell people that he doesn't have any and hope the answer doesn't affect their behavior.
The Cardinals have a handful of key veterans who want new contracts. The club couldn't come to agreement on a long-term deal for inside linebacker Karlos Dansby, their franchise player. Now, the two sides must wait until the end of the year to sign a multi-year deal.
Receiver Anquan Boldin and defensive end Darnell Dockett skipped voluntary workouts because they want new contracts, even though Boldin has three years left on his deal and Dockett has four. Strong safety Adrian Wilson is in line for an extension, and Graves is negotiating an extension with quarterback Kurt Warner's agent.
There won't be money, or the required cap space, to make everyone happy. Warner's deal most likely is to happen first, and Graves will be lucky to re-sign another of his veterans before the end of the season.
The Cardinals plan to enter this season around $3 million to $5 million under the cap, and Graves wants to keep a good cushion in order to deal with possible injuries. So it's hard to envision the team resigning Warner, Boldin and Wilson all in 2008.
While pleading financial prudence, Graves needs to keep an eye out on the future. Salaries are not going to decrease. Last year, the Cardinals could have signed Dansby for far less than he asking for now -- around $9 million a year average.
But the cost of linebackers skyrocketed when the Jets signed Calvin Pace to a deal that pays him about $26 million in the first three years.
CAMP CALENDAR: Players report July 23 and undergo a conditioning test July 24. The first practices are July 25 and camp ends Aug. 21.
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