Running back James gives Cardinals an Edge

Running back James gives Cardinals an Edge
January 16
Philadelphia Daily News columnist Sam Donnellon
"It's been a season of learning for Edgerrin James. He's learned that a big contract doesn't assure you of playing time. He's learned, or relearned, the value of ball possession. He's learned how to take his little victories when he can get them, whether it's a 1-yard gain, or just getting on the field again after a forced semisabbatical of nearly 2 months.He also learned this, for the first time in his life:"Sideline etiquette," the Arizona running back said after practice yesterday. "When to get up, when to move, where to stand."It's a new world."And an unwelcome one to the four-time Pro Bowler, who came to the desert in 2006 from Indianapolis to forever etch his name among the greats like his idol Walter Payton - not to become a glorified cactus. James signed a 4-year, $40 million deal with the Cardinals, then ran for more than 1,000 yards in two straight seasons.Expecting to be the featured star, James carried the ball about as much or less as he had with Indianapolis in his first two seasons here. But his productivity decreased, from an average well over 4 yards a carry to one well under 4 yards per carry. He is 30 now, and when he creaked through October, the league noted the odometer.So did the Cardinals' coaching staff, no matter what the rewrite is now. James gained 29 yards against the Jets on nine carries, a game in which Kurt Warner threw for 426 yards - and lost, 56-35. He gained 57 yards on 21 carries the following week against Buffalo, then repeated his 9-for-29 against Dallas. Again, Warner threw for a zillion yards. This time, though, the Cardinals won in overtime.The following week, though, a 27-23 loss to Carolina, James had 17 yards on seven carries and his third-quarter fumble enabled the Panthers to forge a tie. Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt sent him to the bench, replacing him with rookie Tim Hightower. In the weeks that followed, the Cardinals went pass-happy. They got a couple cheap wins, but down the stretch lost to every playoff team they faced, three times by embarrassing scores."
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