The Arizona Cardinals no longer have an Edge. The team cut four-time Pro Bowl running back Edgerrin James today, a move that many had been expecting throughout the offseason.
Despite the seemingly imminent move, the Cardinals had ignored James' requests for an earlier release. Arizona finally acquiesced three days after using a first-round draft pick on "The" Ohio State running back Chris "Beanie" Wells.
Coming off a storied seven-year NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts, James was one of the league's top free-agent signings in 2006 when he landed a four-year, $30.5 million contract in Arizona.
James rushed for more than 1,100 yards in his first two Cardinals seasons, but was relegated to a complementary role for most of last year, playing alongside rookie Tim Hightower. James had a late-season resurgence, rushing for 100 yards in a Week 17 victory over Seattle and 73 yards in playoff wins versus Atlanta and Philadelphia. James started and had nine rushes for 33 yards in Arizona's loss to Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLIII.
No matter how well he played in the postseason, James had no future in Arizona. The two-time All-Pro selection wanted out of Arizona last fall after having his playing time slashed, while the Cardinals had no interest in paying James a $5 million base salary in 2009.
"E.J. is excited about signing with a new team," agent Drew Rosenhaus told FOXSports.com in a text message. "So far, several teams have expressed interest. We may have a deal in place in the very near future." Cincinnati, New Orleans, Kansas City, Cleveland and Seattle are teams that could use upgrades at running back.
James, who turns 31 in August, is one of the most productive rushers in league history. His 12,121 yards rank 11th on the NFL's all-time list. He is 123 yards from supplanting Marcus Allen in the Top 10
Despite the seemingly imminent move, the Cardinals had ignored James' requests for an earlier release. Arizona finally acquiesced three days after using a first-round draft pick on "The" Ohio State running back Chris "Beanie" Wells.
Coming off a storied seven-year NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts, James was one of the league's top free-agent signings in 2006 when he landed a four-year, $30.5 million contract in Arizona.
James rushed for more than 1,100 yards in his first two Cardinals seasons, but was relegated to a complementary role for most of last year, playing alongside rookie Tim Hightower. James had a late-season resurgence, rushing for 100 yards in a Week 17 victory over Seattle and 73 yards in playoff wins versus Atlanta and Philadelphia. James started and had nine rushes for 33 yards in Arizona's loss to Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLIII.
No matter how well he played in the postseason, James had no future in Arizona. The two-time All-Pro selection wanted out of Arizona last fall after having his playing time slashed, while the Cardinals had no interest in paying James a $5 million base salary in 2009.
"E.J. is excited about signing with a new team," agent Drew Rosenhaus told FOXSports.com in a text message. "So far, several teams have expressed interest. We may have a deal in place in the very near future." Cincinnati, New Orleans, Kansas City, Cleveland and Seattle are teams that could use upgrades at running back.
James, who turns 31 in August, is one of the most productive rushers in league history. His 12,121 yards rank 11th on the NFL's all-time list. He is 123 yards from supplanting Marcus Allen in the Top 10
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