Former Immokalee High School football standout Javarris James was arrested Thursday afternoon by Lee County sheriff’s deputies for failure to appear in court.

This comes a month after NFL suspended the running back for four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

In June 2011, James, 25, was been arrested and charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession at a routine traffic stop in Fort Myers.

James is currently a member of the Arizona Cardinals’ organization. He injured a knee ligament in the preseason finale last year and missed the entire season. He played with the Indianapolis Colts as a rookie in 2010, but was out of the league in 2011.

As junior in high school, James rushed for 1,656 yards and 25 touchdowns in leading the Indians to the 2004 state title. He was named Naples Daily News Offensive Player of the Year in both 2004 and 2005.

For his high school career, James scored 65 touchdowns and rushed for 4,778 yards.

James followed in the footsteps of his cousin Edgerrin, playing for Immokalee, the University of Miami, and the Colts.

At Miami, James rushed for 2,162 yards and 18 touchdowns, though his best season came as a freshman with 802 yards. He went undrafted in the 2010 NFL draft.


(naplesnews.com)

If running back Javarris James ever returns to an NFL field, it will be only after serving a four-game suspension.

James has been suspended four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports.

The 25-year-old James is probably a long shot to make it back to the NFL. He missed the entire 2012 season after suffering a serious knee injury while playing for the Cardinals in the preseason, and he wasn’t expected to be part of the Cardinals’ offense this season even before this news broke.

In 2010 James showed some promise as a short-yardage back when he ran for six touchdowns with the Colts, but Indianapolis cut him in 2011.

James was arrested in 2011 for possession of marijuana. There is no word on the nature of his substance abuse policy violation this time around.


(nbcsports.com)

It is being reported that proCane Javarris James of the Arizona Cardinals who was vying for a roster spot tore his ACL last night and is done for the season. Best of luck to Javarris in his recovery.

Running back Javarris James #45 of the Arizona Cardinals carries the football against defensive back Matt Giordano #27 of the Oakland Raiders during the NFL preseason game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 17, 2012 in Glendale, Arizona.

James (hip) may be losing ground in his battle to make the Cardinals' final roster after both William Powell and Alfonso Smith played well during Friday's preseason game.




(fantasysp.com)

Cardinals RB Javarris James will be sidelined a "week or more" with an abductor muscle injury.

It's a hip injury for the third-year runner, who spent 2011 out of football after appearing in 10 games for the Colts as a rookie. If James' timeline holds to its "or more" portion, his already slim chances of cracking the Cardinals' 53-man roster could be toast.


(rotoworld.com)

Javarris James has the connections with the Arizona Cardinals. Now the running back must make good use of them.

With the NFL preseason in full swing today and James one of seven running backs invited to the Cardinals’ 90-man training camp roster in Flagstaff, Ariz., James will have donned a football uniform for every one of his older cousin Edgerrin James’ programs.

From Immokalee High School to the University of Miami to the Indianapolis Colts and now the Cardinals, Javarris James, 24, has followed his older cousin’s path.

In the near future, he just hopes to avoid following Edgerrin James, who turns 34 on Aug. 1, out of professional football.

“I’ve been used to that since high school,” Javarris James said of following Edgerrin James’ path. “It’s completely coincidence. Honestly.”

Javarris James said he blamed nobody but himself when the Indianapolis Colts cut him last summer, less than two months after his June arrest for marijuana possession in Fort Myers.

The Colts signed Javarris James as a free agent two years ago and inserted him into the lineup as a goal-line back. He responded by leading all rookies in 2010 with six rushing touchdowns.

“I really learned a lot through everything that was going on,” James said of being out of football last season. “I had some things off the field that messed things up. I learned how to appreciate everything and to enjoy the moment. Some things you take for granted. When you lose them, it makes everything different.

“I have a completely different approach now. Completely different.”

Retired Immokalee coach John Weber called this a “golden opportunity.”

James helped Weber and the Immokalee Indians win the 2004 Class 2A state championship.

“I’m glad he got another chance,” Weber said. “A lot of kids don’t get that chance. I hope he takes advantage of it. He was such a solid high school player. He didn’t have the great speed, but he has as good of instincts on the goal line of anybody I’ve ever seen.

“With Baby J’s work ethic, I’ve just got to believe he’s going into training camp in great shape. He was never a kid who ever slacked off with the work.”

Arizona running backs coach Tommie Robinson coached James while on Randy Shannon’s staff at the University of Miami. Arizona wide receivers coach Frank Reich knew James while on the Colts staff as the receivers coach two years ago.

“I didn’t just bring him in because I had him at the University of Miami,” Robinson said. “It doesn’t work that way. I brought him in because he has the opportunity to make this team.

“We feel like he can come in and give us some goal-line work, and we feel like he can come in and be a special teams guy. We brought him in. It’s going to be totally up to him whether or not he comes in here and makes this team.”

Although NFL teams have yet to release depth charts, Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams are the de facto No. 1 and No. 2 backs.

That leaves James competing against rookie Jared Crank (Purdue), second-year pro William Powell (Kansas State), fourth-year pro LaRod Stephens-Howling (Pittsburgh) and second-year pro Alfonso Smith (Kentucky) for running back roster spots. Most NFL teams keep four to five running backs.

“I’m not thinking about anybody else’s situation,” James said. “My focus is on me. Being in the NFL is a grind. I’m ready for the grind.”

Robinson, asked about James’ goal-line instincts, shrugged them off. None of those instincts matter now, Robinson said. The only thing that matters will be how James performs during training camp and preseason games.

“They all know where to run,” Robinson said of his team’s seven running backs. “They all understand how to play. It’s just a matter of how much tenacity you have in that situation. You know it’s going to be a tight window. Do you have the tenacity to put your head down and go get it?”


(news-press.com)

With Arizona Cardinals RBs Beanie Wells (knee) and Ryan Williams (knee) likely to see limited touches during the preseason, RBs Javarris James, LaRod Stephens-Howling and Alfonso Smith are likely to see an extended look during training camp and the preseason. James is considered a long shot to make the team, while Stephens-Howling and Smith will both have a role with the team.


(kffl.com)

Free agent running back Javarris James, the younger cousin of Edgerrin, was waived by the Colts last offseason following a June arrest for marijuana possession.

James received an invite to Cardinals rookie minicamp over the weekend on a tryout basis, though, and was officially added to Arizona’s 90-man offseason roster on Monday.

The Cardinals announced the additions of James, cornerback Larry Parker, kicker/punter Ricky Schmitt, and safety Eddie Elder.

Elder and Parker are undrafted rookies. Schmitt is a camp leg. James, 24, spent the 2010 season with Indianapolis, appearing in ten games. He managed just 112 yards on 46 carries (2.4 average), but scored six touchdowns operating as the Colts’ short-yardage and goal-line back.


(profootballtalk.com)

Javarris James has long admired his uncle, Edgerrin. He followed in Edge”s footsteps when he attended the University of Miami, and did it again when he played in 2010 with the Indianapolis Colts and now — at least potentially — has a chance to follow him with the Arizona Cardinals.

Javarris James is one of 16 players working with the Cards during minicamp on a tryout basis. The Cards could probably use another running back this offseason, with both Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams coming back from leg injuries. He gained 112 yards on 46 carries for the Colts a couple of years ago in 10 games, and even if he were signed would be an incredible longshot to make the roster.

But right now, that’s not what he’s thinking about.

“I feel like I’ve been through worse,” James said. “I’m just happy to have this opportunity. The decision isn’t up to me. I need to study my playbook and execute my assignments, and that’s all I can do.”

Edgerrin James’ time in Arizona ended bittersweet. Edge was benched for a chunk of 2008, although he was the main running back in the playoffs as the Cards made their memorable Super Bowl run. James was then released the following offseason when Wells was drafted. Still, Javarris said “when we have talked, he had nothing bad to say about Arizona.”

Javarris James said it was “kind of crazy” how he has followed Edgerrin to college and then to the Colts and now the Cards. “I’m just happy I have someone like that I can get advice from,” Javarris said. “I just want an oppotunity to showcase my skills and hopefully take advantage.”


(azcardinals.com)

One practice in — and with just rookies — it’s impossible to know what will happen with any of them.
“It was interesting,” coach Ken Whisenhunt of the Arizona Cardinals said. “The enthusiasm was great, the effort was great. I didn’t know quite what they were doing all the time.”

But it was clear Whisenhunt was enjoying the idea of being back on the field, in a totally teaching aspect, knowing that games are months away. That part of his job was lost last year with the lockout. “It makes you appreciate being on the field again,” Whisenhunt said.

There are nine “veterans” taking part, guys who were already on the team’s roster before the draft. That, Whisenhunt said, is everyone on the roster who is eligible to do so. There are others that wouldn’t mind getting the extra work, Whisenhunt said (and I’m sure the coaches wouldn’t mind it either), but the collective bargaining agreement won’t allow it.

The biggest name among the tryout players: running back Javarris James, who played for the Colts and who is the nephew of former Cardinals running  back Edgerrin James.


(azcardinals.com)

The Texans worked out former Colts RB Javarris James yesterday, per a league source. James seems to have left Houston without a contract. The Colts could have injury problems at running back as well with Joseph Addai nursing an injury which could bode well for James resigning with the Colts. We will keep you posted.

The Philadelphia Eagles cut rookie running back Graig Cooper. The Eagles are deep at the running back position, so look for Cooper to sign as a free agent with another team, he looked quite good this pre-season. The Eagles also cut WR Sinorice Moss. Moss had another great training camp, but was a victim of a deep crop of WRs. Moss has the talent and has shown it when given the opportunity and when healthy. WRs go down due to injury quite often, look for a team to pick him up.

The Miami Dolphins cut TE Dedrick Epps. Epps was cut last year as well but eventually made the Dolphins practice squad. Look for him to latch onto the practice squad again considering how thin the Dolphins are at the TE position.

WR Darnell Jenkins was cut by the New England Patriots. Most scouts seem to think he will find a spot on someone’s roster.

S Jared Campbell, brother of Arizona Cardinal Calais Campbell was cut by the Cardinals. Campbell played well in limited action in the preseason. He may be able to make a practice squad.

The New England Patriots, in a surprise move, cut safety Brandon Meriweather. Meriweather who has been to two consecutive Pro Bowls reportedly freelanced too much in the Patriot backfield and was underperforming. It’s not clear as to whether it was also money issue, but Meriweather is definitely still an elite talent at safety in the NFL. Look for teams thin at that position like the Dolphins and Chiefs to go after Meriweather.

Baraka Atkins LB/DE who had been signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason was cut as well. Atkins was one of the final cuts of the Denver Broncos last year after spending the beginning of his career with the Seahawks.

10-year veteran DL Damione Lewis was cut by the Houston Texans. Lewis was a late addition to the Texans squad last year and played very well both last year and this preseason. What didn’t help Lewis this year was the fact that the Texans changed to a 3-4 defense and Lewis is much better suite as a DL in the 4-3.

Brett Romberg who was a surprise signing by the Atlanta Falcons only a couple of days ago, after not playing at all during the 2010 season, was cut by the Falcons as concerns over their starting center’s health subsided. Don’t be surprised to see Romberg get signed if the Falcons sustain an injury there.

Running back Damien Berry was cut by the Ravens. Berry was slowed by an ankle injury that he suffered in the first game of the pre season, and as a result didn’t play until the fourth game. Berry has NFL skills. BERRY WAS SIGNED TO THE RAVENS PRACTICE SQUAD.

LB Tavares Gooden. Gooden was drafted by the Ravens to eventually replace Ray Lewis at the MLB position, but injuries have really slowed his career. Gooden, if healthy, can start for most NFL teams, but this pre season was no different as he continued to deal with injuries. THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SIGNED GOODEN TO A 1-YEAR DEAL.

Rookie defensive back Ryan Hill was waived by the Minnessota Vikings. Hill didn’t play a lot this pre season but when he did, like in the final pre season game for the Vikings, he performed well leading the team in tackles. The Vikings had Hill listed as a safety. He has the size and speed to play both corner and safety which gives him the type of versatility a lot of teams look for.

Javarris James, RB who led the Indianapolis Colts last year in rushing touchdowns after playing only about half the season was cut by the Colts.

Second-year defensive lineman Dwayne Hendricks who was on the NY Giants practice squad last year and was called up and played in a regular season game last year for the Giants was cut. Giants did have a very good pre-season. THE GIANTS SIGNED HENDRICKS TO THEIR PRACTICE SQUAD.

Rookie DB Corey Nelms was cut by the 49ers. Nelms was a surprise free agent signing and did get playing time in the preseason. THE 49ERS SIGNED NELMS TO THEIR PRACTICE SQUAD.

Rookie Fullback Patrick Hill was cut by the Tennessee Titans. Hill didn’t get any carries in the preseason for the Titans.

IMMOKALEE — In its third year, the now annual Edgerrin and Javarris James Youth Football Camp has grown every summer since its inception in 2009.

This year's edition, Monday at the Immokalee Sports Complex, was the biggest yet, and the namesake cousins were on hand again to give advice from their years of experience as NFL running backs. But no matter how big the camp gets -- and there were more than 1,000 kids this time around -– the Jameses want to make sure the event stays true to its mission.

“I wanted to make it a fun day,” said Edgerrin James, 11-year NFL veteran who last played in 2009. "It's structured to where we do some work, then have fun, then (get in) the pool. It's kind of a nice family atmosphere. For people that aren't from here, it's to make them feel welcomed. They can come to Immokalee and take part in everything just like they grew up here.”

“This is an opportunity for the kids in Immokalee to see what it takes to make it to the next level,” Javarris James said. “We're out there working with them, too. This is good for the town of Immokalee.”

A 1996 graduate of Immokalee High School, Edgerrin James started the camp two summers ago as a way to teach and mentor kids from his hometown. Since then, the youth camp has blossomed into a statewide event with buses bringing players in from as far as Orlando on Monday.
Players were put through drills, taught techniques, and got to compete in a flag football tournament. More than that, seeing the James cousins, who came from the same humble roots as the campers, served as inspiration for the participants.

The camp started with a morning ceremony in which Collier County commissioner Jim Coletta named the day in honor of Edgerrin James and the work he's done giving back to the area's youth.

“Whereas children are the future of Florida, and it is important to take action to ensure they are provided a positive start in life,” Coletta read from a written proclamation, “... and whereas NFL star Edgerrin James will share his love for football and teach fundamentals and communicate the importance of hard work and respect … we are pleased to welcome the inspiration for our youth for the third year in a row.”

Edgerrin James is 11th on the NFL's all-time rushing list, but his cousin Javarris might have drawn more attention Monday from the young campers. Last summer Javarris James was an undrafted free agent who was preparing for Indianapolis Colts training camp.

After starting the season on the New England Patriots' practice squad, James finished the year with the Colts – Edgerrin's former team – and scored six touchdowns in the final seven games.

When he arrived on the field Monday, the younger James was mobbed by younger players wanting to shake his hand and ask for an autograph.
“It's different this year from what it was last year for me personally,” Javarris James said. “Now I can actually say I've played in the NFL. All these guys have seen me on television, where last year I was just getting into it.”

NFL free agent running back Clinton Portis, a product of the University of Miami like the James cousins, was on hand at Immokalee on Monday. Fort Myers High grad and former NFL receiver Jammi German also worked the camp.

The players were split almost equally among high school, middle school and younger age groups. While the little ones learned fundamentals and techniques, the older players participated in a mini combine that tested their football skills, including the 40-yard dash.

The day ended with a cookout for the campers and their parents and a pool party at the Immokalee Sports Complex aquatics center.

The most popular part of the day, though, was the 7-on-7 games that came in the afternoon. Some players traveled to Immokalee specifically to compete against teams they wouldn't otherwise see.

“The kids love it,” Edgerrin James said. “They love that there are kids from other places. That's what they like the most because they get a chance to come out and compete, measure themselves up against each other. See where they stand. They're always looking forward to the flag football game at the end.”

Jameel Jackson, 17, came to the camp with four of his Fort Pierce Central teammates. He said he enjoyed learning from the pros, but the biggest reason his team was there was to test itself against other squads.

“We try to go to a lot of different camps,” Jackson said. “We came out here for the 7-on-7. It's what we're best at.”

Many of the high school players shared the same sentiment. Jimmy Bayes, a sophomore receiver who was one of more than two dozen Immokalee players at Monday's camp, said the Indians always look forward to the afternoon games.

“It's competition,” said Jimmy Bayes, 16, a sophomore wide receiver at Immokalee. “That's why you play football. It drives everybody.”

While Edgerrin and Javarris James emphasized their camp was all about fun, there were lessons the hosts hoped to impart on the youngsters.
By coming home to a small, often underprivileged Immokalee, the Jameses want to show the players that anything is possible with hard work and determination.

“Immokalee – this is the root of everything.” Edgerrin James said. “This is where I started out, where I played. If somebody like myself doesn't come back here, who will come here? It's just natural for me to come back here and give these guys the same opportunity I had or an even better opportunity than I had.

“For me, it's natural to come out here and be a part of something like this. I love dealing with the kids, I love having fun. This is easy. It's a matter of having a free schedule. This is where I want to be. I like dealing with these kids.”

Click here to order Edgerrin James’ proCane Rookie Card.


(naplesnews.com)

NAPLES — Former Immokalee High School football and NFL star Edgerrin James will host his annual football skills camp Monday at the Immokalee Sports Complex. The camp is free for children ages 6-18 and is co-hosted by James’ cousin and current Indianapolis Colts running back Javarris James.

“This is something that the community looks forward to every year,” Immokalee High head football coach Jerrod Ackley said. “I’m excited to be able to take part in it, and I know a lot of our kids are as well.”

This year’s camp will mark the third year that Edgerrin James, who last played in the NFL with Seattle in 2009, has hosted the camp free of charge. Registration is from 8-9:30 a.m. and the camp runs until 3:30 p.m.

“Some of the kids on our team have been going to this camp since they were in middle school,” Ackley said. “They get a chance to see Edgerrin and see that it’s possible to make it and be successful if you’re from Immokalee.”

Rodelin Anthony, a former high school teammate of Javarris James who attended the University of Nevada-Las Vegas to play football, will be working at the event for the first time. He said he’s excited to get a chance to be part of an event he’s heard so much about.

“This isn’t just about the kids, it’s about the whole city of Immokalee coming together,” Anthony said. “It’s a huge event that everyone looks forward to and it’s a great thing.”

After the camp ends, James and the city of Immokalee host a pool party and barbeque from 3:30 to 8 p.m. at the Sports Complex. Last year, 1,100 children participated in the camp.

According to James’ foundation website, the camp will include other NFL players and members of NFL coaching staffs. On Sunday, Javarris James said on his Twitter feed that Sam Shields, a former University of Miami teammate who is a cornerback for the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, and Jeremy Ware, a defensive back for the Oakland Raiders, would be at the camp.

Campers are broken down and placed into groups based on age, size and skill level. The camp emphasizes basic fundamentals and skill development. In addition to football fundamentals, teamwork, sportsmanship and educational life skills are also emphasized.

Prior to the start of the camp, James will be honored by Collier County Commissioners who will proclaim Monday “Edgerrin James Day” in the county.

District 5 Commissioner Jim Coletta also will present a proclamation to James. The ceremony is scheduled for 8:15 a.m.

Click here to order Edgerrin James’ proCane Rookie Card.


(naplesnews.com)

Javarris James has gone from locked out to briefly locked up.

James, a former Immokalee High football star and current Indianapolis Colts running back, was arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession Thursday in Fort Myers during a routine traffic stop. He is scheduled to appear in court June 28 after posting $1,000 bond on one count of possessing less than 20 grams of marijuana.

Fort Myers police officers pulled over the 23-year-old at about 6:45 p.m. over concerns about the level of tint on his windows. Upon approaching James’ black Audi, officers smelled marijuana and found several pieces of pot on the floorboard between the passenger seat and the center console, according to the arrest report.

The report states James had 0.4 grams of marijuana in his car.

Online records show he was booked about 9:30 p.m. Thursday and released on bond one hour later.

With the National Football League owners and players at odds over a new collective bargaining agreement, players have been locked out since March. In past years, the Colts have scheduled offseason minicamps intermittently throughout May and June, sessions that aren’t taking place during the lockout.

Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney told the Associated Press that some of the team’s players are gathering for private workouts, but it isn’t known whether James is included in the group.

James followed in the footsteps of his cousin, Edgerrin James, who also played at Immokalee, Miami and for the Colts.

After going undrafted out of the University of Miami in 2010, James signed a free-agent deal with the Colts.

Indianapolis cut James before the season’s start but signed him for the final 12 games of the year after injuries depleted its backfield. He carried 46 times for 112 yards and six touchdowns, recording a pair of scores twice during the season.

At Miami, James rushed for 2,162 yards and 18 touchdowns, though his best season came as a freshman with 802 yards. James led Immokalee in 2004 to a state title under head coach John Weber.

“I am extremely disappointed,” Weber said Friday of James’ arrest. “I would have never expected this to happen but I guess a lot of things happen.”

Indianapolis Colts officials could not be reached for comment Friday, though NFL teams haven’t been commenting on player arrests during the lockout.

The arrest report lists a local Fort Myers address for James. He could not be reached for comment Friday.


(naplesnews.com)

Registration is now open for the third annual Edgerrin and Javarris James Youth Football Camp on Monday, July 25 at the Immokalee Sports Complex.

The inaugural camp in 2009 drew 400 youngsters. There were 500 last year. Registration is from 8 to 9:30 a.m. The free camp is in conjunction with Collier County Parks and Recreation, as well as the Edgerrin James Foundation. The camp is from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and for ages 6-18. Instructors include some of the best players from college and the NFL, as well as members of NFL coaching staffs.

Among those who have helped out over the past two years are sports agent Drew Rosenhaus, former NFL players Robert Bailey, Jammi German and current running back Clinton Portis.

Click here to order Edgerrin James’ proCane Rookie Card.


(immokaleetoday.com)