Alexander, Edge, Lewis...

[blindseyed]

For the sake of argument (and boredome) If all 3 RB's (Shaun Alexander, Edgerrin James, Jamal Lewis) hit Free Agency, do the Cards get any of the 3? And if they can bring any of them in, who would you rather have?

 

[Red Air Force]

1. Alexander

He's at the peak of his game and should have 3 - 4 great years left. Plus we get to weaken a division opponent.

2. James

James would be a nice consolation prize, but I just don't get the feeling that he has as much left as Shaun. He's had a great couple of seasons, but I worry he's on the downslope.

3. Lewis

A lot of question marks, and coming off injury. If he is able to bounce back though, it would be nice to see a real banger in action breaking tackles for the tough yards.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Edge, best all around player, blocks like a beast, catches like a Boldin out of the backfield, and runs like a friggen horse. Look at the numbers; this guy has consistently been a top 10, if not top 5 running back in the league. He would give the Cardinals instant credibility to other targeted free agents, but more importantly, help change the perception of the team. The battle cry of Michael Bidwill, the young, energetic leader, and creator of an amazingly innovative project, the new stadium. It would be a way for the Cardinals to steal the show, so spend the money, and get Edge. (and a few offensive linemen, a stud DT, an excellent attack player...)

 

[az jam]

Edge. Alexander is good but also a product of one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.

 

[Redsz]

1) Edge.

Best blocking and pass catching back avaliable. But also a constant and consistent threat on the ground pounding the rock.

2) Jamal Lewis.

Powerful runner who is dominant when given the ball 10 - 20 times a game. Third and short would not be a problem any more.

3) Alexander.

The best pure runner in FA. But is not good at catching out of the backfield and blitz pickup. Also heard many a rumble about how he has alienated his teamates and his an ego.

 

[slanidrac16]

The ironic thing here is that 2 of the backs we are talking about are guys we could of had instead of Thomas Jones.

Lewis would be the guy we could get at a bargain price and fill the short yardage and goal line guy this offense seems to lack. A gamble for sure and not my top selection, but sometimes a guys career can be energized by a change of scenery ala Thomas Jones.

I'm afraid Alexander and Edge would cost so much money that it might not be worth it if we don't fix the o-line. The current o-line situation could and would limit the success of either one of these guys.

 

[Redrage]

The ironic thing here is that 2 of the backs we are talking about are guys we could of had instead of Thomas Jones.

Lewis would be the guy we could get at a bargain price and fill the short yardage and goal line guy this offense seems to lack. A gamble for sure and not my top selection, but sometimes a guys career can be energized by a change of scenery ala Thomas Jones.

I'm afraid Alexander and Edge would cost so much money that it might not be worth it if we don't fix the o-line. The current o-line situation could and would limit the success of either one of these guys.

Almost, Lewis was picked before Jones. I liked Lewis and Alexander better (I also liked Dayne more ... ) but many draftnicks had Jones rated the highest.

 

[TRW]

Ditto

1) Edge.

Best blocking and pass catching back avaliable. But also a constant and consistent threat on the ground pounding the rock.

2) Jamal Lewis.

Powerful runner who is dominant when given the ball 10 - 20 times a game. Third and short would not be a problem any more.

3) Alexander.

The best pure runner in FA. But is not good at catching out of the backfield and blitz pickup. Also heard many a rumble about how he has alienated his teamates and his an ego.

My wish list would be in this order too

 

[overseascardfan]

People are probably going to criticize but what about Ahman Green? Does he still have anything left in the tank? He could also be in the mix.

 

[stewdog1]

People are probably going to criticize but what about Ahman Green? Does he still have anything left in the tank? He could also be in the mix.

I doubt he has anything left. Even before last season people were saying that he was done, and he proved that before he got injured.

 

[WisconsinCard]

I doubt he has anything left. Even before last season people were saying that he was done, and he proved that before he got injured.

I'm not so sure he's done. I belive that letting go of their 2 starting guards had as much to do with it as anything. I would put him up with as the third or fouth best FA running back out there.

 

[AntSports Steve]

I do not want A.Green as I feel his injury risk is much too high.

I don't want J.Lewis as I think he's done. He's been heading down hill for the last two years.

I'd want Edge, then Alexander. But, if the Cards do not get them, I expect the Cards to bid and push their final salaries for the teams that do sign them to a very high level.

I wouldn't mind J.Wells (Houston?) or perhaps a trade with Houston for D.Davis (assuming they draft R.Bush and Davis only costs a 3rd rounder. I'm not trading a second rounder).

D.Foster is probably too injury prone, but if he signs cheap or has bonuses based on playing time, then I'd like him.

C.Taylor would be an ok signing and not break the bank.

I'd consider M.Morris also as he has almost no mileage on him and would be better than Shipp.

If the Cards don't get one of those, it's probably L.White at #10, but I'd rather use FA on a RB and save the top pick for BPA.

 

[Red Hawk]

got to give the edge to Edge. better all around runningback.

 

[Totally_Red]

got to give the edge to Edge. better all around runningback.

Agreed! And he comes from an offensive system much closer to what the Cardinals are running than what Seattle has.

Rumor is that the Colts won't tag Edge even with the Reggie Wayne signing. They just don't have the cap space.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

The good thing with all these backs hitting the open market is that it will probably drive down their value and bargaining power. I think the backs will be in a hurry to sign so they can set the market and not have it the other way around. I'll bet Lewis takes the first decent offer he gets.

 

[blindseyed]

The good thing with all these backs hitting the open market is that it will probably drive down their value and bargaining power. I think the backs will be in a hurry to sign so they can set the market and not have it the other way around. I'll bet Lewis takes the first decent offer he gets.

Good point. I will aslo say that I think Alexander will be getting the bulk of the offers and then Edge only because of the MVP year and has stayed relitively healthy whereas Edge had that knee surgery a few years ago. That hasn't seemed to slow him.
I see both of these backs as good, I'm not on the Leweis bandwagon cuz I think he's slowed and has lost a few steps. Alexander is more of a 'name' where Edge is good all around. I don't think he's the Edge of 3-4 years ago but would be a huge asset to not only the running game but as a 'coach' to JJ

 

[AntSports Steve]

I don't think J.Lewis will take the 1st good offer he gets as I think he'll be too proud and be expecting a top offer, which he never gets.

What I think will happen with Lewis is both Alexander and Edge sign good top quality deals and Lewis goes on lots of trips. Then lots of the other RBs start signing and finally Lewis figures out that few teams are left that want him. He ends up signing a incentive filled 1 year contract and is unhappy.

 

[chickenhead]

Personally, I don't think Edge or Alexander are coming here. Maybe its just me being a jaded Cardinals fan, but I'd speculate they probably both want to be in higher-profile markets than Indy and Seattle, not a lower-profile one like AZ. Plus I don't see the Cardinals paying out the kind of money they want, either. Lewis doesn't have the leverage they do, which is why he seems like the real possibility to me at this point.