Edgerrin James / Photo: Newscom

It was Edgerrin’s wish to be released by the team last season when his playing time had dwindled to a mere backup role behind Tim Hightower. But later in the season, he would eventually regain a starring role with the team and he was a major contributor in helping the Cardinals get to Super Bowl XLIII. Nevertheless, the handwriting was already on the wall and when the Cards drafted Ohio State RB Chris “Beanie” Wells this past weekend, it became obvious — Edgerrin would finally get the freedom he had been seeking.

My feeling is that Edge can’t possibly serve anything more than a dual role with another running back, no matter what team he plays for. As much as he has been a great running back during his career, it’s been ten years and he’s at the end of his road. Edgerrin James doesn’t have a whole lot of mileage left. But I think he can and will contribute a valuable role to whatever team takes a chance on him.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Cardinals Release Edgerrin James

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On the surface, Super Bowl XLIII has been touted as the Cardinals offense vs. the Steelers defense. The Cards had the NFL’s 4th best offense (in total yards) and the Steelers had the NFL’s top defense (fewest yards allowed). But there are so many other storylines and, of course, sports writers and fans have spent the past two weeks dissecting all the possibilities.

Certainly, I believe strength against strength is the most intriguing of tonight’s matchups. But, a few others quickly come to mind. I think the Cardinals are a completely different football team when they get off to a quick start (meaning getting an early lead). And they need to have a balanced attack — running the football with Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower to compliment their high-octane passing game that features the NFL’s two best receivers, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, as well as Steve Breaston. I think both teams will have some trick plays up their sleeves. And I wonder about the familiarity of the Cardinals coaches (Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm) with the Steelers defensive personnel — if that will have any affect on the outcome of this game. Those are all things to examine when the game is over. But I believe this Super Bowl boils down to turnovers. And that may sound very obvious, but keep in mind this game is no different than any other NFL game in that regard. If you win the turnover battle, there’s a good chance you’ll win the football game. To say the Cardinals have been an opportunistic defense during this postseason would be a severe understatement. They are an incredible +9 in turnover ratio in three playoff games. They will need to remain disciplined in their assigned responsibilities while trying to force Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger into making mistakes. The Steelers, on the other hand, will focus on forcing Cards QB Kurt Warner into turnovers. Kurt has been known to put the ball on the ground in the face of a frenzied pass rush. Kurt has been outstanding in these playoffs, but you know the Steelers understand his weaknesses and tendencies and will attack them accordingly.

I want to say that defense wins championships — which would lead me to pick the Steelers tonight — but something about Arizona tells me that destiny beats defense. I would be crazy to pick the Cardinals, but…..

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Steelers seek unprecedented sixth Super Bowl title; they won championships after 1974, ’75, ’78, ’79 and 2005 seasons … Steelers lost once in Super Bowl, after 1995 season to Dallas … Before Super Bowl era, they never made a championship game … Mike Tomlin is only third Steelers coach since 1969. Chuck Noll won four Super Bowls before being replaced in 1992 by Bill Cowher, who won one title … Eleven starters remain from 2005 champion, including Super Bowl MVP WR Hines Ward … Latest version of Steel Curtain, led by Defensive Player of Year LB James Harrison, allowed fewest points in league (223), to go with high rankings in yards allowed … Pittsburgh swept Baltimore in three games this season, including AFC championship, to get to Super Bowl … RB Willie Parker has rushed for two touchdowns and 193 yards in two playoff games. His 75-yard run in 21-10 win over Seattle three years ago is longest in Super Bowl history … Cardinals are in first Super Bowl. Their last title was in 1947 while representing Chicago. Their three postseason wins this year surpass previous total for playoffs (2) … Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt was offensive coordinator for Pittsburgh’s 2005 title team. He was passed over for head coaching job when Cowher retired two years ago for Tomlin, and is 1-0 vs. Steelers since … QB Kurt Warner won Super Bowl with Rams and was MVP of game after 1999 season. He was league MVP in ’99 and 2001 and lost Super Bowl to New England in February 2002 … RB Edgerrin James has been reborn in playoffs after losing starting job to rookie Tim Hightower during season. James has 203 yards rushing in playoffs … All-Pro WR Larry Fitzgerald already has set playoff record for yards receiving (419) and has five TD receptions.

Source: NFL Media

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Super Bowl XLIII Preview

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Ten games into the 2008 season, Edgerrin James wanted out of Arizona. Five days from now he’s starting in the Super Bowl. What a difference two months makes. Can you imagine? Edge actually wanted to be released by the Cards. And this was before the team lost four of their final six games. He might have ended up in Detroit or Cincinnati. Which would put him at home on his couch this weekend. Or in a depression clinic. He persevered, though, and he’s back in the starting spot he lost to Tim Hightower.

Edge has been a key component to the Cards’ playoff success, touching the ball 55 times for 237 yards in wins over Atlanta, Carolina and Philadelphia. During Super Bowl XLIII Media Day this morning, Edge was thankful for the opportunity to contribute after suffering through a frustrating eight game stretch where he only carried the ball 11 times for 34 yards. And thankful to finally play in the game that has eluded him during his impressive career:

“It means a lot. For 10 years I’ve been playing, and to finally get here, that’s big. I’ve tried to put myself in a position to be in games like this, and it didn’t happen. It’s not that I didn’t do something, or that I didn’t work hard enough, or that I didn’t put up enough numbers, it’s just that everything has to work out. To get to the Super Bowl is something I’ve never accomplished. You want a taste of everything the NFL has to offer and this is a goal of any player.”

As far as his future in Arizona, Edge just wants to put all his energy into playing now, in Super Bowl XLIII — “that’s all I want to think about,” he said. But next week he’ll start thinking about full-time work in a new destination and I’m not sure there will be any takers. There’s simply not a huge market for 30-year-old running backs in this league, no matter what their history. His best bet is to stay put and share duties with Tim Hightower and J.J. Arrington.

Source: NFL Media, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

What a Difference For Edgerrin James

How about the play of Arizona Cardinals running back Tim Hightower today? While he didn’t produce eye-popping numbers like Larry Fitzgerald and Kurt Warner, he did make several crucial plays that helped the Cards come away with the NFC Championship. On the team’s final, game-winning drive, Tim converted a 4th-and-one from the Eagles’ 49 and then scored the go-ahead touchdown on third down from the Eagles’ eight. The veteran play of Edgerrin James has been invaluable for the Cards this postseason, but Tim is obviously quicker, faster and stronger than Edge and should have ample opportunity to make his mark in Super Bowl XLIII.

Source: AZCardinals.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Tim Hightower Makes Clutch Plays

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I guess the Arizona Cardinals were saving Edgerrin James for the playoffs. After demoting Edge back in November in favor of a younger and faster Tim Hightower, the Cardinals gave their veteran second team running back 16 carries for 73 yards in a 30-24 Wild Card playoff win over the Atlanta Falcons this afternoon. It’s pretty obvious Edge is playing his final games for the Cards, but he was all smiles during and after the win:

“They (teammates) were telling me they’re not ready for me to go yet. They said, ‘Edge, we know you’re ready to go, but not yet.’”

It’s obvious Edge isn’t all of the running back he used to be (and I don’t see any other team making him their featured back next season), but he can still get the job done. He ran hard and looked strong. Obviously, the Cards are happy to have the fresh legs and they’ll need all the running game they can muster to have any chance to get through January. As explosive as Arizona is with quarterback Kurt Warner and receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston, it will be their ground attack that wins games on the road in foul weather. It might take a minor miracle to get past the Panthers and Giants to Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, but Edge’s experience and smarts will certainly help the Cardinal cause.

Source: AZCardinals.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Cardinals Dust Off Edgerrin James

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Now that Arizona Cards running back Edgerrin James is second on the depth chart behind Tim Hightower, he wants to be released by the team rather than sit and watch most of the rest of the season. Edge has carried the ball three times for five yards in the past three games and he isn’t happy about it. This after starting the first seven games of the season. Not surprisingly, the Cards declined his request. Edge’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, weighed-in:

“We spoke with (general manager) Rod Graves because Edgerrin still believes he is a 1,000-yard back and he is healthy and he is still capable of being a 1,000-yard back for a team. He is not playing now, and there are teams that are banged up at the running back position that he could help. We didn’t get the answer we were hoping for ….. Edgerrin isn’t trying to cause any problems. He has had a Hall of Fame career and he has enjoyed his stay in Arizona. But it’s apparent that he’s probably not going to back with the Cardinals next season. If that’s the case, he can move and help another team and get a start now.”

I don’t know why Edge would want to leave Arizona right now. He’s being paid a base salary of $5 million this season. The weather’s nice. And the Cards are winning. If he were to hit the waiver wire now, a team like Detroit or Cincinnati could claim him. I can’t understand why Edge would want something like that to happen. His best bet is to wait out this year, collect his money and try to convince another team they need a veteran running back in the offseason. Hall of Fame career or not, he won’t make $5 million in ‘09 (which is what he’s scheduled to make in Arizona), but he might be able to find more playing time.

Source: ESPN.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Edgerrin James Wants Out of Arizona

The Arizona Cardinals are fazing out running back Edgerrin James. Why? Because they need to improve their 29th rated rush offense. A running back’s shelf life in the National Football League is a short one and Edge’s expiration date is apparently soon. He started 135 straight games until today when rookie Tim Hightower took his place in the starting lineup and gained 109 yards (on 22 carries with a touchdown) in a 34-13 win over the St. Louis Rams. Edge never saw the field, but Cards head coach Ken Whisenhunt insists he still has a place and purpose on this team:

“We are going to need Edge ….. A lot of that is the responsibility of the player and how he deals with it. Edge has tremendous credentials, he’s been an important part of this team and he still is. For us to win — the thing that has to be the most important in our players’ minds is the team. I’ve seen tremendous signs of that. They understand we will need everybody.”

That was a nice way of saying Edge has been officially demoted. Facing the facts, the guy has carried the ball almost 3,000 times in his career. Add up those body shots and you can understand why he’s lost a step. In his prime, Edge was one of the best to carry the football. But sadly, his time appears to be dwindling with Tim showing all the burst and acceleration Edge showed when he came into the NFL ten years ago. As cold as it sounds — out with the old, in with the new? Welcome to life in the NFL.

Source: AZCardinals.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Cardinals Demote Edgerrin James