Cardinals Release RB James

I agree with Mosley that james would be a good fit here. Of course, the price would have to be right, but i can't imagine anyone paying a very high price for James as a RB his age. I'd love to land James and have he and Portis split carries close to 50/50... keep Portis fresh and extend his career. I love Betts, but even at this age, Edge is way better.

His starting days are over and at this point I would even question how effective he can be as a backup over the course of a season. I don't see where he would offer any significant improvement over what we've already got.

Edgerrin James Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JameEd00.htm)

Ladell Betts Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BettLa00.htm)

Shaun Alexander Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlexSh00.htm)

I'll put some analysis in a post below, I just wanted to throw these up there.

Edgerrin James Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JameEd00.htm)

Ladell Betts Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BettLa00.htm)

Shaun Alexander Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlexSh00.htm)

I'll put some analysis in a post below, I just wanted to throw these up there.I put these guys up here because one is the control (Alexander) who obviously will never play in the NFL again. Betts is the guy currently under contract here. And Edge is the best the FA market has to offer.

All three of these guys have something in common: that their days as a quality starter are clearly in the rear view mirror. But Portis is what, a year or two from that himself? The presence of a complementary back is more important this year than ever before.

Edge is clearly the better player than Betts at this point in their careers, and he's historically less of an injury risk (1 game missed due to injury in last 5 years), and he's coming off a year where the Cardinals did not at all abuse his legs, and he was effective in limited action.

I say this because Football Outsiders has him as the perfectly average back last year while backfield mate Tim Hightower was one of the worst in the league behind the same line, which ranked 30th in adjusted line yards and 29th in power rushing success. As riddled as our line was last year, it was unquestionably better than that, even in it's worst form.

Going back a season, Edge was still an average runner, even while JJ Arrington was one of the least valuable players in the league.

Bottom line is: I don't think Edge can still be a starter, but even at age 31, he's still a more effective runner behind a worse OL than what Betts (age 30) is behind ours. I think he's a better runner for our scheme than Betts is, and ultimately, we'd be a better team with Portis and Edge splitting carries than with Betts and Portis.

Goddamn it. I don't want two smash mouth backs. We desperately need a home run hitter- and Edge, Mason or Betts are not the answer. Skins need a guy in the mold of Leon Washinton, Jerrius Norwood or DeAngelo Williams. We could have spent a draft pick on a dynamic young RB, but I guess a lying, half-assed LB who played one season would be the better fit.

Goddamn it. I don't want two smash mouth backs. We desperately need a home run hitter- and Edge, Mason or Betts are not the answer. Skins need a guy in the mold of Leon Washinton, Jerrius Norwood or DeAngelo Williams. We could have spent a draft pick on a dynamic young RB, but I guess a lying, half-assed LB who played one season would be the better fit.And three seasons of RB!

Just sayin'.

Goddamn it. I don't want two smash mouth backs. We desperately need a home run hitter- and Edge, Mason or Betts are not the answer. Skins need a guy in the mold of Leon Washinton, Jerrius Norwood or DeAngelo Williams. We could have spent a draft pick on a dynamic young RB, but I guess a lying, half-assed LB who played one season would be the better fit.

Well while you want a 5th, 6th, 7th round RB, I'm happy with us picking up a 1st or 2nd round RB next year.

Well while you want a 5th, 6th, 7th round RB, I'm happy with us picking up a 1st or 2nd round RB next year.

I don't necessarily want a guy in the later rounds, but you can get a good back in these rounds. I wouldn't be opposed at all to taking a guy high next year.

And three seasons of RB!

Just sayin'.


Huh??

I don't neccessarily want a guy in the later rounds, but you can get a good back in these rounds. I wouldn't be opposed at all to taking a guy high next year.

Which I think it is better off waiting to pick a higher round guy next year. I think people would want Edge b/c he may be a better back than Betts. Personally, I want whoever (Edge, Betts, etc., etc.) who's going to contribute to the running game, so it improves from last year (i.e. keeping Portis fresh) and allow JC to have a good season and convince the FO keep him. This way, we can focus on a stud RB in the first round next year.