Posted on 03/12/2006 12:21:46 PM PST by mainepatsfan
Cards agree to deal with free-agent RB James ESPN.com news services
The Cardinals made a big splash in the free-agent market Sunday, agreeing in principle to a contract with running back Edgerrin James, a source close to the team told ESPN.com.
James' deal is for four years, the Arizona Republic reported, although financial terms were not immediately available.
The Colts, who believed they had a "50-50" chance of retaining the two-time rushing champion, were faced with salary-cap restrictions.
Along with league MVP Shaun Alexander, who re-signed with the Seahawks, and Jamal Lewis, who helped lead Baltimore to a Super Bowl title, James was one of the top running backs on the market.
Colts president Bill Polian could have kept James by using the franchise tag on him for the second straight year after receiver Reggie Wayne agreed to a new six-year, $39 million contract. The Colts also signed defensive lineman Raheem Brock to a five-year deal Friday.
Instead, Polian decided against using the tag, which would have increased James' salary next season to more than $10 million.
In recent months, James said he believed his tenure in Indianapolis was over. At the Super Bowl, he said he hoped to play for a team that wanted him.
James holds Colts franchise records for attempts (2,188), yards (9,226) and touchdowns (64). Indianapolis has reached the playoffs six times in James' seven seasons, missing the postseason in 2001 when James sat out the final 10 games after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.espn.go.com ...
WOW! That pretty much leaves the Cards loaded for Bear so far as the offense goes. Admittedly, the O line was better several years ago before Dennis Green started screwing around with it, but with Bolden, Fitzy, and Johnson out wide and the up and coming Adam Bergen, there's no shortage of weapons for Warner or McNown to throw to. Add in Edge's rushing, receiving and pass blocking skills, and this could be a team fast on the rise.
Draftwise, the D line can and should be addressed and you're looking at what should be a playoff caliber team.
The one nagging concern is that this IS the Cardinals, but hey, maybe they're due.
Owl_Eagle
"You know, I'm going to start thanking
the woman who cleans the restroom in
the building I work in. I'm going to start
thinking of her as a human being"-Hillary Clinton
(Yes, she really said that
Peggy Noonan
The Case Against Hillary Clinton, pg 55)
Warner might not get killed this year.
Please ping me before you place a bet on the Cardinals... I want to take the other side.
Edge may have a little bit more left in the tank than Emmitt did.
I think it be great if Arizona can become competitive. Turnaround in the NFL can be very quick.
Oh he sure he does.
It'd be strange to see the Cardinals sell out a home game and have most of the fans in the stadium routing for them.
As a long time St Louis Card's fan, anything bad that can happen to the Bidwells is fine by me. I supported them for years and years and was rewarded with the move to Arizona so they can ESAD.
I do wish the best for Warner though, as he is a class act.
I do wish the best for Warner though, as he is a class act.
I always thought so too.
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