Immokalee's Edgerrin James hoping to get out of Arizona

NAPLES — Edgerrin James could just watch Friday night, much like the night before.

The All-Pro running back stood along the fence near the Dunbar sideline, watching the Tigers’ tilt against the Naples High Golden Eagles at Staver Field.

The night before, Thanksgiving night, he stood on the sideline with an imaginary fence, that felt more like bars, surrounding him as the Arizona Cardinals were drummed by the Philadelphia Eagles, 48-20. The man who has seven 1,000-yard rushing seasons didn’t make it on the field. He didn’t get a single carry.

The lack of playing time is becoming a trend, which has James wanting out of Arizona.

The former Immokalee High and Miami Hurricanes standout may have lost his starting job but he still has a sense of humor. James joked that his situation in Arizona is like prison.

“I’m just waiting for my release ... like an inmate,” said James, pausing to give the punch line.

James, who was at the high school game to watch two of his relatives play for the Tigers, isn’t frustrated. The 30-year-old actually understands the situation. He said he doesn’t fit into Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt’s one-dimensional passing offense. The Cardinals only had 25 yards rushing on Thursday night.

“I don’t fit into their system,” said James, who stood out Friday night wearing a multi-colored striped shirt and a Yankees cap. “That’s all it is. So now I am just waiting for my release. I know I can still play. I’m not any different than last season when I had over a 1,000 yards, so I know it’s not me.”

James has one year remaining on a four-year contract signed in 2006. He is scheduled to make $5 million. He’d prefer to go to another team and try to show that he is worthy of the Hall of Fame.

James is only 9 yards shy of 12,000 career yards. But this season, he’s only run for 384 yards with 112 carries. Not exactly numbers associated with Canton.

“You don’t get this far and lay down,” James said. “I know I still belong in the league and I still believe I will be in the Hall of Fame.”

Across the sidelines at Staver Field, former Naples High standout and former NFL running back Fred McCrary could feel James’ pain. This is McCrary’s first season out of the NFL. And while he doesn’t miss it, enjoying time with his three boys, McCrary understands why James is disappointed.

“It’s frustrating when you can still play and want to play and you can’t get on the field,” said McCrary, who won a Super Bowl ring in his one season in New England, “especially when you know you are better than the other guy who took your spot.”

McCrary has no doubts that James’ 10-year career is far from over.

“He’ll definitely be playing next season,” McCrary said. “I’m not worried about him.”

To make it to Naples for Friday night’s high school tilt, James boarded a 6 a.m. flight to Miami and drove across Alligator Alley. Watching his nephew E.J. German, a defense end, and his cousin Davouris Mean, a wide receiver, play for the Tigers, James didn’t seem to have a care in the world.

“It’s a good time to be around family,” James said. “I try to get home as much as possible. It helps me keep my mind of other things.”

During halftime, a young boy approached James to remind him that he’s still a star. The boy told James that he is his favorite player.

“Last night, I used you as my running back when I was playing Xbox,” the boy explained. “And I won.”

James’ smile grew bigger and he rubbed the kids’ head as a form of gratitude. For James, at least someone’s giving him some love. At least, he’s getting playing time somewhere.

(naplesnews.com)