HONOLULU -- In his third season in the NFL, David Boston emerged as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. Boston, who bulked up to close to 240 pounds for the 2001 season, caught 98 passes for an NFL-best 1,598 yards and eight touchdowns.

"This year, the coaches really decided to utilize me and get me the ball in the situations where I needed it and I worked hard to get my body in shape over the offseason, so everything worked out well," said Boston.

Now, Boston is hoping for bigger things from the Cardinals the Cardinals in 2002. Arizona improved from 3-13 in 2000 to 7-9 in 2001 and the team appears ready to take another step forward.

Boston has established himself as a star and quarterback Jake Plummer played his best football since 1998.

"I'm looking forward to next year," said Boston. "We're all young players, we just need to get the help around Jake (Plummer) to make everything work."

Boston admitted that making the playoffs is a realistic goal for the Cardinals.

"Yeah, no doubt," said Boston when asked if making the playoffs is possible. "We have draft coming up and we have an early pick. If can get some help around Jake. As long as we get some help around Jake, we have a chance."

Weis is nice for Patriots
Tom Brady and Troy Brown each breathed a sigh of relief Thursday when they were informed that Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weiss was returning to New England. Weiss, whose contract was up at the end of the season, was retained for two more years.

"He's a guy that's a great innovator, as smart as they come, motivating. He's a great friend too," said Brady, who attributed much of his success this season to Weiss.

Brown who has emerged the last two seasons with Weiss calling the plays on offense for New England was equally excited.

"It's good to know he's coming back," said Brown. "He's been good for our team the last few years. He's doing a great job calling the plays and I'm glad they got him signed back up -- it'll be good for us.

Holmes hands off praise to Vermeil
Priest Holmes says that all he needed was a chance to show what he could do. For that chance he's extremely grateful to Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil, who signed Holmes as a free agent in the offseason and handed him the keys to the Chiefs starting running back position.

Holmes responded by leading the NFL in rushing with 1,555 yards rushing and 2,169 yards from scrimmage.

"I owe it all to coach Vermeil. He brought me in for one thing and that was to run the ball," said Holmes. "We started off with Tony Richardson and myself switching in and out. But then the Washington game (Week 3) was the game when I actually got over 25 carries and that's when the opportunities came."

Peter Lawrence-Riddell is the assistant NFL editor for ESPN.com