Before Giants, Cards Address Unhappy James
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Friday, November 21, 2008
TEMPE, Ariz., Nov. 20 -- Three days before the defending Super Bowl champions come to town, the Arizona Cardinals found themselves talking about Edgerrin James, who wants out of town.
No longer a significant part of Arizona's offense, the running back has asked for his release, a request the club has denied.
Now the question is whether the stir over James's request will affect the Cardinals as they race toward their first division title since they moved to the desert in 1988.
On Sunday, Arizona will play host to the New York Giants on the same field where the Giants won the Super Bowl last February. But the first four questions fired at Arizona Coach Ken Whisenhunt after Thursday's practice had to do with James, who has carried three times for five yards since being replaced by rookie Tim Hightower three weeks ago.
"Edgerrin, I'm sure, is unhappy," Whisenhunt said. "I understand that. But that happens a lot in the NFL. Shoot, that happens a lot in life.
"You know, the mark of being a professional is continuing to work -- and we expect Edgerrin to be a professional," Whisenhunt said. "And I think that's only reasonable based on the significant investment and financial obligation that we've made to Edgerrin."
Arizona General Manager Rod Graves reiterated Thursday that the club has no plans to release the 10-year-veteran. James, 30, has one year left on a four-year, $30-million deal, but it's widely thought this will be his last year in Arizona.
James worked out with the team on Thursday and flashed his usual smile when reporters approached him after practice.
"I'm just practicing and working and doing what I'm supposed to do," James said, declining to answer further questions.
James's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said James wants to go where he can play. James has topped 1,000 rushing yards each of the past five seasons. He ranks first among active players and 13th in NFL history with 11,992 career rushing yards.
"The reason is simple. Edgerrin is healthy, he's still in his prime and we know he can still play at the highest level," Rosenhaus said. "Quite frankly, he's not used to being a bench warmer and not playing and would like to go to a team where he can play."
