AZ Cardinals Sign Edgerrin James
- Thread starter D-Rose
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James' Arizona deal totals $11.5M in bonuses
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Less than a week after Cardinals coach Dennis Green declared that the team would not shop in the higher-priced aisles of the free agent market, Arizona landed one of the highest-profile players in the entire pool.
Edgerrin James, who played the first seven seasons of his career with the Colts, signed a four-year contract worth $30 million with the Cardinals.
In keeping with franchise policy, the Cardinals did not release contract figures. However, sources told ESPN.com that James receives an immediate signing bonus of $7 million and an additional roster bonus of $4.5 million later this week.
The two-time NFL rushing champion's base salaries are $3.25 million for 2006, $5.25 million ('07), $5 million ('08) and $5 million ('09), according to sources.
The deal will pay James $20 million over the first two years. By comparison, the $62 million contract signed last week by Shaun Alexander pays $18.5 million in the first two years.
Securing James should immediately upgrade an Arizona running game that for years has ranked among the NFL's least productive. In fact, the Cardinals ranked last in the NFL in rushing in 2005, averaging just 71.1 yards per outing.
There is some risk for James, however, since he will be running behind a suspect offensive line.
For the Cardinals to improve on offense, though, the team needed a back of James' caliber. Arizona has one of the most potent passing attacks in the league, with a pair of excellent young wide receivers in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, but their offense sorely needs more balance.
James, 27, has carried 2,188 times for 9,226 yards and 64 touchdowns and is the leading rusher in Colts history. He also has 356 catches for 2,839 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The former University of Miami standout has four seasons of 1,000 yards and five seasons of 1,500 or more rushing yards.
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Less than a week after Cardinals coach Dennis Green declared that the team would not shop in the higher-priced aisles of the free agent market, Arizona landed one of the highest-profile players in the entire pool.
Edgerrin James, who played the first seven seasons of his career with the Colts, signed a four-year contract worth $30 million with the Cardinals.
In keeping with franchise policy, the Cardinals did not release contract figures. However, sources told ESPN.com that James receives an immediate signing bonus of $7 million and an additional roster bonus of $4.5 million later this week.
The two-time NFL rushing champion's base salaries are $3.25 million for 2006, $5.25 million ('07), $5 million ('08) and $5 million ('09), according to sources.
The deal will pay James $20 million over the first two years. By comparison, the $62 million contract signed last week by Shaun Alexander pays $18.5 million in the first two years.
Securing James should immediately upgrade an Arizona running game that for years has ranked among the NFL's least productive. In fact, the Cardinals ranked last in the NFL in rushing in 2005, averaging just 71.1 yards per outing.
There is some risk for James, however, since he will be running behind a suspect offensive line.
For the Cardinals to improve on offense, though, the team needed a back of James' caliber. Arizona has one of the most potent passing attacks in the league, with a pair of excellent young wide receivers in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, but their offense sorely needs more balance.
James, 27, has carried 2,188 times for 9,226 yards and 64 touchdowns and is the leading rusher in Colts history. He also has 356 catches for 2,839 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The former University of Miami standout has four seasons of 1,000 yards and five seasons of 1,500 or more rushing yards.
THATS GOOD 4 THE AZ CARDINALS THATS THE REALLY ONLY TROUBLE THEY HAVE IN THEIR GAME IS THE RUNNING, IM FROM AZ AND WE GOT ALOT OF THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD 2, A NEW STADIUM, RUNNING BACK(ALL PRO),AS LONG AS THE O LINE KEEPS KURT WARNER OUT OF TROUBLE, THE AZ CARDINALS WILL DO DAMAGE!! WATCH OUT 4 AZ IN THE THE NFL NEXT SEASON
"shit the last thing 9ers need are some more backs. we already got barlow, gore, hicks and they don't know who to start"
haha thats why they need to draft a GOOD back, so they wouldnt have that problem
Edge in AZ is huge............with a solid running attack that is gonna give Warner the time he needs to hit the best wr duo in the game........nfc west better be stockin up on defense..........they gonna need it
haha thats why they need to draft a GOOD back, so they wouldnt have that problem
Edge in AZ is huge............with a solid running attack that is gonna give Warner the time he needs to hit the best wr duo in the game........nfc west better be stockin up on defense..........they gonna need it
