Cards Apparently in No Hurry to Dump Edgerrin James

All that talk about the Cardinals dumping Edgerrin James might've been premature. At least if you're willing to put your faith in one anonymous source above another.

Last week, it seemed like Edge's Arizona career was over, and he'd probably end up playing in Florida somewhere. Today, Yahoo.com's Michael Silver writes that James isn't going anywhere, at least for now.

A source familiar with the Cardinals' thinking says James is considered the team's top halfback and is unlikely to be released unless and until a suitable replacement is obtained, most likely via the draft in late April.

For James, however, the Cardinals are in the rear view; he hasn't stepped foot in the state since the Super Bowl, and as far as he's concerned, Arizona's offense doesn't fit his strengths.

"I never came to play in a passing system," James said. "I'm no scatback, and I'm not going to try to be one. I don't train to be a scatback – I train to be an RBI hitter. I've worked too hard to build this style of play I've got, and it works. People say I can't break off the big run anymore, but the funny thing is, when I won the rushing title (in 2000, with 1,709 rushing yards) my longest run was 30 yards. This year, it was 37. So have I gotten better?"

Um, no. You haven't. And while I understand Edge's concern -- as a running back he wants to run the ball -- he's also 30 years old and hasn't been productive since arriving in Arizona three years ago.

He's due $5 million from the Cards next season, and I can't envision him getting that kind of money elsewhere. Unlike recently released Fred Taylor, who still has the ability to routinely run over people, James is playing at nowhere near the level he was when he was in Indy.

Sure, part of that may be Arizona's scheme, but in running back terms, he's a geriatric. There are very few examples of rushers who have much success after hitting the big 3-0. Edge reiterated his desire to play closer to home (Florida), and isn't averse to sharing carries. And as long as he doesn't mind taking a sizable pay cut, he should eventually get his wish.

Who knows, maybe the Cards will sign Taylor and help James fulfill his life-long goal of playing in the Sunshine State. Hopefully, agent Drew Rosenhaus will help Edge make this dream come true.