:: proCanes

Cardinals' James set to do 'business'

Jul/17/07 10:41 AM | Permalink

Football is coming, and change is in the air. Edgerrin James has even ditched the gold teeth.

"It was time to take them out," the Cardinals running back said. "I had them for a long time, but I took off my mask. Now the real 'Business Edge' will surface."

Rejoice, Cardinals fans.

Even if his smile no longer is capable of blinding innocent bystanders, your starting running back is happier than he has been in months. Even after enduring the year from Hades, in which his game turned pedestrian and his ex-teammates won a Super Bowl.

And if you didn't notice, new salt keeps pouring into old wounds. This time, another Colts player not named James just hit the jackpot. This time, it was defensive end Dwight Freeney, who snagged a $30 million signing bonus from Indianapolis.

It must hurt to be so not missed.

"Man, I am so over that," James said. "When the Super Bowl was done, we were all hanging out again. They know I was a part of what they did. They know I helped build what they became. And all throughout the year, (Colts running back Joseph) Addai and I became really close friends. He was calling me for advice like every day, all day long."

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Will Edge be sharp in 2007?

Jun/19/07 09:54 AM | Permalink

Will the real Edge please stand up?

Last year was a tale of two seasons for Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James, who was inked to a lucrative deal with expectations he would be the showpiece in the team's retooled offense.

In the first half of the season, James rushed to the tune of a meager 2.8 yards per carry, punctuated by the most inefficient single-game performance in Cardinals history in the team's fateful Monday night loss to the Bears last October. In that contest James rushed 36 times for 55 yards, adding to the woes of then-head coach Dennis Green.

Clearly, the dreadlocked one missed Peyton Manning and the open lanes the high-powered Colts offense provided him. Eventually, the ascension of Matt Leinart and presence of stud receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald helped some of those avenues open up again. In the second half of the campaign, the Cards' offense jelled in garbage time and James turned his season around, averaging 4.2 yards a carry while breaking the 100-yard mark in three of his last five games.

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Edgerrin James Returns to Cardinals Practice

Jun/01/07 11:05 AM | Permalink

Despite some conflicting reports on his whereabouts, Cardinals running back Edgerrin James did return to organized team activities earlier this week as expected. His arrival came shortly after Coach Ken Whisenhunt got him on the horn and said that he needed him in the Valley.

"He said, 'I am going to be there at some point,' and I said, 'Edgerrin, I need you here,' " Whisenhunt said. "He said, 'I'm gonna be there Coach, I've got my calendar.' I said, 'Bring it in and we'll talk about it.' And that's all I can ask for."

It's really nice to see James answer the call. Although he would probably prefer to be in Florida working out with the Giants Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey, the team comes first and rhythm with teammates is extremely important.

By all accounts, James is expected to return next Monday and spend the entire week (Thursday) with the team as they round out their OTA's. From there he'll likely go back to Florida and workout until training camp begins on July 30th.

(aolsportsblog.com)

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EDGE, LEINART ABSENT

May/23/07 09:48 AM | Permalink

Quarterback Matt Leinart and running back Edgerrin James both were missing from Tuesday’s voluntary workout. Whisenhunt, who spoke to both, said Leinart will return today. James, who returned home to Florida, will be back for next week’s work beginning Tuesday.

(eastvalleytribune.com)

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Cardinals notebook: Whisenhunt happy to see sharp Edge

May/14/07 12:33 PM | Permalink

Running back Edgerrin James was back Sunday, after missing Saturday’s minicamp opening practices because of a family funeral.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said James looked “sharp” and in shape, which was really little surprise.

Whisenhunt also said the two had discussed how many of the voluntary organized team activities James will attend.

“I don’t know exactly,” Whisenhunt said. “He’s probably not going to be there for all 14, but it is my understanding he will be there for a number of them.”

The Cards’ organized team activities begin Wednesday, with the 14 workouts spread over four weeks and ending June 7.

(eastvalleytribune.com)

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James will miss 1st day of camp

May/10/07 12:38 PM | Permalink

Running back Edgerrin James will miss the first day of the team's upcoming minicamp to attend the funeral of a relative in Florida, team officials said Wednesday.

The camp, which starts Saturday and runs through Monday, is mandatory unless the player is excused by coach Ken Whisenhunt.

" 'Edge' called and let me know about the death in his family," Whisenhunt said in a statement. "Obviously, it's more important for him to be there Saturday for the services and for his family."

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Cardinals notebook: Edge feels good after surgery

Apr/15/07 11:32 AM | Permalink

Edgerrin James laughed when asked about his recent minor right knee surgery, no surprise after he had just completed the Cards’ first practice of the offseason without any problems.

“It was a scratch,” James said of the surgery. “I was in and out. The same night I was hanging out at the clubs. Everything is normal.”

The surgery took away some swelling that had bothered James last season, but he emphasized — with a smile — it was no big deal by pointing out that if he hadn’t been able to practice, he probably wouldn’t have shown up to the voluntary minicamp.

“I had an opportunity to get out of practice, and I should have used my pass,” James said, before adding, “Nah, I like to practice. I don’t want to stand around.”

After carrying the ball 337 times last season, James said he wants 350 carries this year. Contrary to needing more help toting the load, James said, “I am in the good years right now. That’s why I have been taking good care of myself.”

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Cards not ruling out shopping for another back

Feb/25/07 05:58 PM | Permalink

INDIANAPOLIS • Adrian Peterson, Arizona Cardinal? It’s a crazy notion. Running back would seem to be far down the list of draft needs for the Cardinals, especially after handing Edgerrin James a four-year, $30 million contract last offseason.

But new coach Ken Whisenhunt has talked about the need for another back to step in and lighten James’ load after James piled up 337 carries last season. With the explosion of successful teams with two good halfbacks — think New Orleans with Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, Chicago with Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson, Indianapolis with Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes — teaming Peterson with James isn’t far-fetched.

Subtly feeding into the idea is Cardinals vice president of football operations Rod Graves, who said his goal of free agency is “take the pressure off feeling we have to address a certain position with our No. 1 pick.”

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Dear Edgerrin James...Don't Let the Colts' Win Get You Down

Feb/06/07 10:08 AM | Permalink

Dear Edgerrin James,

How are you holding up? Sunday couldn’t have been much fun for you. And my guess is you’re about to have a pretty rough week.

After all, everyone you come into contact with is wondering how you feel about your former team, the Indianapolis Colts, winning the Super Bowl. Most people probably won’t ask. They won’t even want to bring it up. They’ll steer clear of the subject entirely. But some will inquire. And when they do, I’m sure you’ll say all the right things. You’ll tell them how happy you are for your former teammates. How you were cheering for them all along.

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Edge parties, watches friends play

Feb/05/07 09:09 AM | Permalink

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- It's 5 a.m. a day before Super Bowl XLI and Edgerrin James is as fresh and enthusiastic as if he was about to play with his old teammates.

The former Indianapolis Colts running back is chillin' after three hours of clubbing at Spirits, a popular dancing nightspot at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Time for breakfast, but he blows it off to talk about his team's chances Sunday against the Chicago Bears at Dolphin Stadium.

"The Colts are still my team," said James, who ran for a franchise record 9,226 yards in a horseshoe helmet through 2005 before signing with Arizona last offseason. "I've been telling everybody that since midseason, it's the Colts' year."

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Edgerrin James is Homeless in Arizona

Feb/02/07 12:09 AM | Permalink

It's amazing to think that a $30 million Cardinals running back doesn't have a place in Arizona to call his own but that is precisely the case for Edgerrin James. Obviously this is not to say James doesn't have a personal residence. In fact he owns an extremely nice home of his own in Miami, Florida. At any given time James could likely buy our own homes with the cash he carries in his pocket, yet he chooses to live at the Cardinals facility in Arizona during the season.

During a short Q&A session with AZCentral.com, Edge explained why he doesn't own a place in the desert.

"I live at the Cardinals facility. That's my address. I don't have nothing to do but work. That's all I want to do" James said

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Edge in middle of action with Colts

Feb/01/07 10:53 PM | Permalink

MIAMI - Much of the time, the Indianapolis Colts talk of Edgerrin James like he is a fallen soldier. A man lost on the arduous journey to Super Bowl XLI.

They wouldn’t have gotten here, former teammates such as Peyton Manning and Dominic Rhodes say, without Edge’s contributions. James isn’t dead. He just isn’t a Colt, toiling instead for the Cardinals after trading any chance to stay with his Indianapolis buddies for $30 million in the desert.

And no one understands that more than Edge.

“I got what I wanted, and (the Colts) got what they wanted,” James said without a hint of regret. “It is business. It is football.”

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Taking the Edge off: James not bitter at Colts' success

Jan/31/07 07:02 AM | Permalink

MIAMI -- Edgerrin James is a better man than I, at least when it comes to athletic ability, energy (the man views sleep as an occasional indulgence) and decency.

James is the star running back whom the Colts would not pay like one, and last March, after seven successful years in Indy, he signed a four-year, $30-million deal with the Arizona Cardinals. James promptly struggled behind a dubious offensive line and suffered through the worst season of his life; the Colts, meanwhile, plugged in rookie Joseph Addai and James's former backup, Dominic Rhodes, and finally won a conference championship.

Wouldn't you be at least a tad bitter? I know I would. But not James who, each of the 30 times I've asked him, smiles and swears he's rooting for Indy without a trace of ambivalence.

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James happy to see Colts in Miami, forecasts Bears loss

Jan/30/07 08:17 AM | Permalink

MIAMI — Edgerrin James' cellphone has been blowing up. Some good friends have a bit of Super Bowl XLI business, but before buckling down, there's sightseeing to do.

James, who attended the University of Miami, lives here during the offseason and knows all the hot spots. No wonder he was eagerly awaiting the Monday night arrival of the Indianapolis Colts, who finally advanced to the Big Game — without him.

"This is like the only night we'll have to hang out," James said Monday afternoon before heading to the Colts hotel. "It's like I told them, I don't have a curfew, but they do. I'm going to make sure that my boys won't get in trouble."

After six seasons in Indianapolis, James signed a free agent deal with the Arizona Cardinals last spring. He doesn't sound bummed the Colts reached this point in their first season since his departure.

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Edgerrin James Update

Jan/28/07 11:28 AM | Permalink

Edgerrin James, Cardinals running back: Had he just returned for an eighth season with the Colts, he'd likely be packing for Super Bowl XLI. Instead, he had a different strategy: Take the Cardinals' money and run. He ran for a respectable 1,159 yards in 2006 and could run for even more with the addition of coach Ken Whisenhunt, who's now at the controls of a potentially dynamic offense. One problem: They're still the Cardinals. Potential Super Bowl: Post-2009, when his Cardinals contract expires.

(contracostatimes.com)

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James ‘super excited’ for ex-teammates

Jan/24/07 07:45 AM | Permalink

Edgerrin James is in Miami. Soon the Indianapolis Colts will be, too. And that’s fine with the Cardinals running back, who left the Colts to sign with Arizona as a free agent almost a year ago — and a year before his original NFL team finally made it to the Super Bowl.

Echoing similar thoughts he repeated all season, James said rather than feeling he is missing out he instead is “super excited” his former team has reached Super Bowl XLI.

“I’ve always said I wanted to see the Colts in the Super Bowl,” James said in a phone interview from Florida. “All the pieces were there.”

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Cards notebook: James surpasses 1,000 yards

Dec/25/06 10:15 AM | Permalink

SAN FRANCISCO - For both the Cardinals and Edgerrin James, reaching the 1,000-yard rushing plateau is somewhat remarkable. Even James, who normally downplays such things, understands that.

“Under the circumstances, it means a lot,” James said Sunday, after he ran for 105 yards on 29 carries.

James has 1,093 yards this season, the highest total for a back since the franchise moved to Arizona, besting the 1,070 Garrison Hearst gained in 1995.

The Cardinals have had just three previous 1,000-yard rushers since moving to Arizona in 1988, the last being back in 1998 when Adrian Murrell ran for 1,042 yards.

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Despite struggles, James nears 1,000

Dec/15/06 12:42 AM | Permalink

TEMPE, Ariz. - Despite all his struggles in his first year in Arizona, Edgerrin James is closing in on a 1,000-yard season.

That's no big deal for James. He topped 1,000 in each of his last three seasons in Indianapolis and five times in his seven NFL seasons. But the Cardinals haven't had a 1,000-yard rusher since Adrian Murrell in 1998.

With three games to play, James has 925 yards and is coming off consecutive 100-yard efforts in victories over St. Louis and Seattle.

"Anything that's good for the franchise is good for me," James said after Thursday's practice. "It would be something that shows that the offensive line has improved. It would be a nice accomplishment, but me, I'd like to be in the playoffs and play for that Super Bowl ring. I've had 1,000 yards."

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James, Alexander struggling after stellar seasons

Dec/10/06 12:24 PM | Permalink

SEATTLE - A year ago, they were two running backs approaching free agency at full speed.

Shaun Alexander set the league's season touchdown record, and Edgerrin James surpassed 1,500 yards rushing for the fourth time in seven NFL seasons.

They were two Cadillacs headed toward the open market with one caveat: their mileage. Each was well past the average career span of an NFL player, but Alexander and James were anything but average.

They run into each other today, the second intersection of their star-crossed seasons. Alexander was stopped for six games by a broken foot, while James has been battered behind a busted line after going from Indianapolis to Arizona.

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Edge's advice: Just take care of Matt

Dec/08/06 06:59 AM | Permalink

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Edgerrin James has some simple advice for those who are plotting the Arizona Cardinals' future.

"If around here they do right by Matt, we're going to be all right," he said.

Enduring a losing season and often running into a brick wall on game day, James said that the future of the franchise is in the hands of Matt Leinart, the rookie who has coolly taken control of the Cardinals' offense.

He compares Leinart to Peyton Manning, his quarterback in much more successful times.

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Running backs find their legs in St. Louis

Dec/05/06 08:22 PM | Permalink

ST. LOUIS - Edgerrin James ran the ball most of the time, and then Marcel Shipp came in to score the touchdowns. And that was fine with James. “I told Shipp to go get all the touchdowns,” James said. “I want to get some yards.”

There was some irony that, after tying an NFL record for the fewest rushing attempts in a game the week previous, the Cardinals had two different running backs smiling after Sunday’s 34-20 win.

James finally got to his coveted 100-yard plateau, gaining 115 yards on 26 carries. Shipp had a threetouchdown day — the first touchdowns Shipp has scored since running in two and catching a third Dec. 15, 2002, in the same Edwards Jones Dome against the Rams.

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'Edge' finally tops 100-yard mark

Dec/04/06 12:32 PM | Permalink

December 4, 2006) — The Arizona Cardinals had the NFL's worst rush offense (67.7 yards per game) and the host St. Louis Rams had the league's worst rush defense (allowing 154.8 yards rushing per game) entering Sunday's game.

If Edgerrin James ever was going to break the ice with his first 100-yard rushing game with Arizona, this figured to the spot. It was. James had 26 carries for 115 yards in a 34-20 win.

James had 49 100-yard rushing games in seven seasons with Indianapolis, including 237 yards in two games vs. the Rams. He was 0-for-11 this season with Arizona.

(democratandchronicle.com)

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‘Rested’ James ready to roll

Nov/30/06 08:10 AM | Permalink

Edgerrin James was back at practice Wednesday, after the Cardinals’ running back had missed Monday’s walk-through tending to a sick relative in Florida.

And he kept his sense of humor in the aftermath of his four-carry day Sunday in Minnesota, the first time in his career he had been used so little for virtually no reason.

“Hey,” James joked, “they’re saving my career.”

James’ 28-year-old legs don’t need the rest, of course. He started strong against the Vikings, rumbling for 14 yards on the Cards’ fourth offensive play, and was barely seen again.

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James skips walk-through

Nov/28/06 09:41 AM | Permalink

A day after sitting out most of the second half against the Minnesota Vikings, Cardinals running back Edgerrin James didn't participate in a scheduled walk-through session at the team's facility in Tempe.

A team spokesman said James was visiting a sick relative in south Florida. He's expected to return for Wednesday's practice, five days before the 2-9 Cardinals visit the St. Louis Rams.

James, the team's prized off-season acquisition, rushed only four times for 15 yards in Sunday's loss. He caught two passes for 10 yards but spent most of Arizona's late comeback watching from the sideline.

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James gets to edge of 100 yards

Nov/20/06 11:35 PM | Permalink

Edgerrin James was glad to break a two-month losing streak, but there was still a bit of an edge to the Edge on Sunday.

James set his Cardinals high with 96 yards rushing in a 17-10 victory over Detroit, although he was a typical carry short of reaching his personal goal for every game, 100.

The Cardinals killed the final 4:35 with eight running plays, including five by James for 24 yards, before Matt Leinart took a knee on the final two scrim--
mage plays.

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Rollin' With Cardinals running back Edgerrin James via IM

Nov/08/06 05:16 PM | Permalink

The last time I hung out with Edgerrin James, he was the Prince of the Desert, the hottest thing to hit Arizona since ... well, you know what I mean.
After the former Indianapolis Colts halfback signed a four-year, $30 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals last March, he became the symbol of the rampant optimism surrounding the long-suffering franchise.

Five months later, when I arrived to cover the team's first preseason game at its sparkling new stadium in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, James was large and in charge: scoring a Plasma TV for the locker room, shepherding a switch to black cleats and winning side bets from teammates on the sidelines and in local pool halls.

p1_edge

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James again at a loss

Oct/23/06 08:10 AM | Permalink

OAKLAND - Running back Edgerrin James again expressed surprise and dismay Sunday about his lack of production since joining the Cardinals this off-season.

He can't say he wasn't warned.

"I got a lot of warnings," he said.

He watched tape of the Cardinals games last year and was reassured. He didn't see a lot of defenders near the line of scrimmage, so he figured he would have plenty of room to run.

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Getting in Edgewise - Edgerrin James hopes new game plan opens running lanes

Oct/21/06 10:47 AM | Permalink

I'm staring at the duplicity that is Edgerrin James. No, seriously. He possesses adjacent locker spaces at the Cardinals practice facility, one that says, "Edge," the other, "Edgerrin James."

Justin Timberlake's SexyBack is spilling out of the running back's stereo, although he insists it's just a coincidence, not a statement of self-perception. James, with his dreads, gold teeth and expensive suits may be audacious, but he has earned that right, and the sooner the Cardinals find a way to capitalize on his talents, the better.

James suggested Thursday that the promotion of offensive coordinator Mike Kruczek would help his cause.

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'Edge' hopes for more room to run

Oct/20/06 07:11 AM | Permalink

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Perhaps no back in NFL history worked so hard for so little as Edgerrin James did Monday night.

After gaining 55 yards in 36 carries, no wonder he hopes a change in offensive coordinators this week will create at least a little more room to run.

James, who has yet to have a 100-yard rushing game since coming to the Arizona Cardinals, said teams have loaded up against the run, and a shift in tactics under new coordinator Mike Kruczek might change that.
"I'm looking forward to that," James said, "so I can play my game rather than running into these brick walls."

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Lay blame for Cardinals' breakdown at James' feet

Oct/18/06 08:19 AM | Permalink

When your big-ticket running back runs for 17 yards on 17 carries in the second half of an implosion for the ages, what's the next logical move?

If you're Dennis Green, you fire your offensive coordinator.

The Cardinals head coach canned offensive coordinator Keith Rowen this afternoon for Arizona's Monday night disintegration against the Bears. The move brings Tuesday's offensive coordinator casualty count to two.

Tuesday afternoon, Ravens head coach Brian Billick "removed" Jim Fassel from his spot as Baltimore's offensive coordinator.

195448_225X300

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Edgerrin James and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Oct/17/06 03:09 PM | Permalink

I think we can all agree that last night's Arizona-Chicago game was one of the most shocking games in NFL history. Shocking in how Arizona dominated the first three quarters, and shocking in the way they choked at the end.

How on earth did the Cardinals manage to blow their 23-3 lead? Sure, kicker Neil Rackers deserves some blame for missing the game-ending field goal, and everyone on the Arizona punt coverage team is wearing goat horns today. But the biggest culprits in this loss were running back Edgerrin James, the offensive linemen who couldn't block for him, and the coaches who kept calling his number.

Yes, normally it is a good idea to run out the clock with a lead, rather than stop the clock with incomplete passes or worse, risk an interception. But not every general statement applies to every specific situation. The Cardinals have not been able to run the ball against anyone this year, let alone the Bears. When asked why he suddenly started dominating, Brian Urlacher told reporters “First of all, they weren’t blocking me.” Matt Leinart, meanwhile, was killing the Chicago zone coverage in the first half. Every single play he'd find some guy open and ping, first down.

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James spinning his wheels in Arizona - Ex-Colt struggling to gain ground in 1st year with Cardinals

Oct/16/06 08:23 AM | Permalink

MESA, Ariz. -- The Chipmunks' song "Mr. Lonely" warbled through the Cardinals' locker room Thursday, courtesy of resident disc jockey Edgerrin James.

A statement, perhaps?

"No, man, it's just XM radio," James said.

Fair enough, but you can't blame James if he's feeling a bit forlorn these days.

The Cardinals are 1-4 and James has gone a career-high eight straight games without rushing for 100 yards.

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James to make most of carries - Running back says Cards offense has to capitalize on ground game

Oct/14/06 11:46 PM | Permalink

Most of running back Edgerrin James' Sunday afternoons with the Cardinals have followed a similar pattern: He carries the ball fewer times than he wants, watches his team lose and then complains about how he is being used.

Tired of that rut, James said Thursday that he's changing.

"I just got to make use of what I get," James said of his carries. "I've come to that conclusion. Just to make use of what I get and whatever happens, just roll with it because talking about it is not going to do anything."

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Cardinals' James getting hit by reality in the desert

Oct/13/06 07:57 AM | Permalink

MESA, Ariz. - The Chipmunks' song "Mr. Lonely" warbled throughout the Cardinals' locker room Thursday, courtesy of resident disc jockey Edgerrin James.

A statement, perhaps?

"No, man, it's just XM radio," James said.

Fair enough, but you can't blame James if he's feeling a bit forlorn these days.

The Cardinals are 1-4 and James has gone a career-high eight straight games without rushing for 100 yards.

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James angered by lack of running plays

Oct/09/06 10:06 AM | Permalink

Running back Edgerrin James harshly criticized the team's play-calling after Sunday's 23-20 loss to Kansas City, saying the Cardinals didn't run the ball enough in the fourth quarter.

"We just got away from the run," said James, who gained 71 yards on 24 carries. "That's the stupidest thing. You have to be able to finish the game. You got to give us a chance, you know."

James carried four times for 10 yards in the fourth quarter.

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James might get more touches

Oct/06/06 09:54 AM | Permalink

A couple of weeks ago, Edgerrin James said he wanted to be a bigger part of the Cardinals’ offense. With rookie Matt Leinart starting at quarterback, James might get his wish.

The Cardinals are expected to use the running game and the short passing game more often with Leinart, which will mean more opportunities for James against a Kansas City defense ranked third in the NFL.

“Whenever they call my name, I’m ready,” James said. “If I have to carry it 50 times, I’ll be ready 50 times.”

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Cards' James Won't Play Blame Game

Oct/05/06 11:53 PM | Permalink

Edgerrin James is averaging 3.1 yards per carry through his first four games with the Arizona Cardinals - by far his career-low. He says there's no use blaming his offensive line.

"A lot of people want to point fingers here and there, and I just say there's no need to point fingers because this is what we've got," James said after practice Thursday. "We're not going to have a new offensive line, a new system. We're not going to have nothing new, and we've just got to make the best of it and do what it takes."

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Edgerrin James Update

Oct/04/06 05:46 PM | Permalink

When Cardinals RB Edgerrin James said last week that he thought he was being underutilized, our sources surmised that it wasn't so much that he wanted more carries but rather more receiving opportunities. We hear James would like to catch at least 4-5 passes per game.
(profootballweekly)

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James says mistakes keeping talented Cardinals from success

Sep/29/06 08:58 AM | Permalink

TEMPE, Ariz. -- End the mistakes and success will come.

That's the simple recipe Edgerrin James is offering after his first three games with the Arizona Cardinals.

"Go out and play the game and don't beat yourself," James said after Thursday's practice. "That's what it boils down to. We just go out and play and don't make mistakes and we do all right."

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James just wants the ball more

Sep/25/06 10:42 AM | Permalink

Running back Edgerrin James smiled while fielding reporters' questions after the Cardinals' 16-14 loss to the Rams Sunday, but he wasn't happy.

Despite having his best day with the Cardinals, James didn't think his number was called often enough.

"No, I'm not going to say anything about the play-calling," James said. "I just want to play. I just want to be a part of it. I want the ball in my hands. When you're in the game and you don't have the ball in your hands, that's hard. I can't question why this and that. It's always a reason, but I don't know what is."

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'Crazy and unnecessary' James frustrated with direction Cardinals are headed

Sep/25/06 10:35 AM | Permalink

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Edgerrin James leaned against the side of his locker after adjusting the brim of his brown San Diego Padres cap and placing his bling neatly over his matching caramel shirt. With his gold grill shining from the camera lights around him, he simply laughed in frustration as he tried to figure out how the Cardinals found a way to lose to the Rams, 16-14, in one if the wilder finishes the league has seen this season.

"It's ridiculous man. It's a joke," said James who had 24 carries for 94 yards and one touchdown. "It's crazy. We got to do something different if we want different results. It's something we're not doing right. I don't know what it is. I'm just trying to do my job."