By Eric D. Williams
FOX Sports activities NFL Author
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Victor Bolden Jr. is again on the backside of the depth chart after a powerful stint within the USFL.
Final month, the Oregon State product helped to guide the Birmingham Stallions to the USFL championship, incomes MVP honors within the title sport alongside the way in which.
Bolden parlayed that success right into a spot on the 90-man roster for the Arizona Cardinals, for whom he hopes to earn a job as a large receiver and returner.
Victor Bolden Jr. season highlights
Take a look at the highest highlights from Birmingham Stallions receiver/kick returner Victor Bolden, who was the MVP of the USFL title sport earlier than signing with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals.
For Bolden, it is a return to the NFL after first incomes a spot with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted rookie in 2017 and subsequently spending time with the Buffalo Payments and the Detroit Lions.
Now 27, Bolden is aware of the uphill climb he has in making an impression with restricted reps.
"I've an entire season beneath my belt, so I am seasoned so far as being in form," Bolden advised FOX Sports activities. "I am actually trying to make the most of that after I come out right here. I do know I can play on the highest degree, so I am simply going to proceed to indicate what I can do."
Bolden recorded 42 catches for 415 yards and a rating for the Stallions within the common season, incomes All-USFL honors on offense. Within the championship sport, which Birmingham received 33-30 over the Philadelphia Stars, he completed with six catches for 64 receiving yards and the game-winning rating.
"That child has actually caught out, to be sincere with you," Cardinals receivers coach Sean Jefferson advised reporters about Bolden. "He is one other man who can play each inside and out of doors. He is shifty. He could make guys miss on particular groups. So, now we have a battle occurring in that group throughout the board, after these first couple guys. I am anxious to see how it may shake out."
Bolden mentioned he has additional motivation throughout coaching camp: his 3-year-old son, Zaire Isaiah.
"When you've got a ardour to do one thing, proceed to chase it," Bolden mentioned. "That is what I plan on doing. That is what I wish to do. I've a younger son, and I simply wish to present him that for those who chase your ardour, good issues can occur."
Bolden is one in every of 36 USFL gamers at the moment in NFL coaching camps, with 24 of 32 groups signing not less than one participant from the spring league. Every of the eight USFL groups have not less than three gamers now in camps — numbers that present the league does certainly present gamers with one other shot on the NFL.
Nonetheless, they need to battle to make it on 53-man rosters.
"There's loads of expertise within the USFL," Bolden mentioned. "There's some guys proper now that also have not acquired calls that might be nice additions to any crew. So, in the event that they proceed to do what they're doing, they'll undoubtedly be a feeder for the league for years to return."
Bolden, who completed with 794 return yards for the Stallions through the common season, has gotten work as a punter returner throughout coaching camp. It is one other approach he might discover a approach onto the Cardinals' roster.
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Arizona can be with out star receiver DeAndre Hopkins for the primary six video games of the common season as a consequence of a violation of the NFL's efficiency enhancing medicine coverage. Marquise Brown is getting back from a hamstring damage, and big-bodied receiver Antoine Wesley is nursing a groin problem. So Bolden might get a while on Friday in Arizona's first preseason sport in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals.
"I've acquired to take accountability for studying the playbook, and that approach they'll belief me," Bolden mentioned when requested what he must do to earn a roster spot. "Simply achieve that belief from my teammates, to allow them to put me on the market and be snug that I could make performs.
"You have simply acquired to lean in your expertise. I have been taking part in professionally for about six years now, so I understand how the sport goes."
How the sport goes on Friday could possibly be telling for Bolden.
Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for greater than a decade, protecting the Los Angeles Rams for Sports activities Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma Information Tribune. Comply with him on Twitter at @eric_d_williams.
