Cards court James, sign 1st 2 free agents
Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 12, 2006 12:00 AM
Before free-agent running back Edgerrin James arrived in the Valley on Saturday afternoon, his agent and Cardinals officials made sure they were in the same monetary ballpark.
"It's hard, though, because it's a big ballpark," coach Dennis Green said, smiling. "It's like in the outfield, there's a lot of room between center field and the right fielder, and you just hope you can close it."
The Cardinals are expected to try to do just that this weekend.
James wasn't available for comment, but he and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, didn't fly in to catch a spring training game.
Rosenhaus has a history of successful dealings with the Cardinals, and another of his clients, receiver Anquan Boldin, has lobbied for the team to sign James.
While James, the two-time NFL rushing champion with Indianapolis, was the biggest name to visit Arizona on the first day of free agency, two other players became the first to agree to terms with the Cardinals.
Defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy agreed to a four-year contract worth $8.1 million, including a signing bonus of about $2 million and salaries of around $1.5 million each year.
Guard Milford Brown also agreed to a four-year deal, the terms of which were not available.
A six-year veteran, Clancy played with the Giants last season after spending five years with Pittsburgh. Last year was his first as a regular starter, and he finished with 39 tackles and two sacks.
Clancy, 6 foot 1, 305 pounds, turns 28 in September and is just reaching his peak as a player, Green said.
"He's like a lot of guys," Green said. "This is his (seventh year), now is when he really takes off."
His signing doesn't preclude the Cardinals from re-signing defensive tackle Russell Davis, but it makes it less likely. The Cardinals had been offering Davis a contract worth about $1 million a year, and Davis, an unrestricted free agent, is scheduled to visit Seattle on Monday.
Brown, 6-4 and 325 pounds, turns 26 in August and is also just hitting his prime, Green said. But Brown became a starter just last year, his fourth in the NFL. The Texans' offensive line has been weak the past four years and last season yielded 68 sacks.
While Brown and Clancy are expected to fill needs, James would be the biggest free-agent signing in team history. Several Cardinals players, including Boldin and quarterback Kurt Warner, have lobbied for James, and they also plan to help lure players to Arizona.
"Hopefully, we can make some moves and get some guys in who can really help us," Warner said. "He (James) would be huge for what we're trying to accomplish."
In addition, cornerback/returner R.W. McQuarters from Detroit and cornerback Kenny Wright from Jacksonville are expected to visit on Monday.
While some players are arriving, former Cardinals are planning their departures.
There is a pecking order among NFL quarterbacks looking for new homes, and Josh McCown knows just where he ranks: behind Drew Brees and Daunte Culpepper.
McCown isn't likely to sign with a new team until Brees, a free agent from San Diego, makes a decision, and Culpepper is traded by the Vikings.
McCown is scheduled to fly to Detroit today for a visit. New Orleans and Miami have also expressed interest, but each team is trying to sign Brees, too.
• The team has contacted Green Bay offensive tackle Kevin Barry, an unrestricted free agent, and it's possible he could visit this week. Barry has started eight games in four years. . . . Contrary to earlier reports, the Cardinals did not extend a tender offer to guard Jeremy Bridges, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 12, 2006 12:00 AM
Before free-agent running back Edgerrin James arrived in the Valley on Saturday afternoon, his agent and Cardinals officials made sure they were in the same monetary ballpark.
"It's hard, though, because it's a big ballpark," coach Dennis Green said, smiling. "It's like in the outfield, there's a lot of room between center field and the right fielder, and you just hope you can close it."
The Cardinals are expected to try to do just that this weekend.
James wasn't available for comment, but he and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, didn't fly in to catch a spring training game.
Rosenhaus has a history of successful dealings with the Cardinals, and another of his clients, receiver Anquan Boldin, has lobbied for the team to sign James.
While James, the two-time NFL rushing champion with Indianapolis, was the biggest name to visit Arizona on the first day of free agency, two other players became the first to agree to terms with the Cardinals.
Defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy agreed to a four-year contract worth $8.1 million, including a signing bonus of about $2 million and salaries of around $1.5 million each year.
Guard Milford Brown also agreed to a four-year deal, the terms of which were not available.
A six-year veteran, Clancy played with the Giants last season after spending five years with Pittsburgh. Last year was his first as a regular starter, and he finished with 39 tackles and two sacks.
Clancy, 6 foot 1, 305 pounds, turns 28 in September and is just reaching his peak as a player, Green said.
"He's like a lot of guys," Green said. "This is his (seventh year), now is when he really takes off."
His signing doesn't preclude the Cardinals from re-signing defensive tackle Russell Davis, but it makes it less likely. The Cardinals had been offering Davis a contract worth about $1 million a year, and Davis, an unrestricted free agent, is scheduled to visit Seattle on Monday.
Brown, 6-4 and 325 pounds, turns 26 in August and is also just hitting his prime, Green said. But Brown became a starter just last year, his fourth in the NFL. The Texans' offensive line has been weak the past four years and last season yielded 68 sacks.
While Brown and Clancy are expected to fill needs, James would be the biggest free-agent signing in team history. Several Cardinals players, including Boldin and quarterback Kurt Warner, have lobbied for James, and they also plan to help lure players to Arizona.
"Hopefully, we can make some moves and get some guys in who can really help us," Warner said. "He (James) would be huge for what we're trying to accomplish."
In addition, cornerback/returner R.W. McQuarters from Detroit and cornerback Kenny Wright from Jacksonville are expected to visit on Monday.
While some players are arriving, former Cardinals are planning their departures.
There is a pecking order among NFL quarterbacks looking for new homes, and Josh McCown knows just where he ranks: behind Drew Brees and Daunte Culpepper.
McCown isn't likely to sign with a new team until Brees, a free agent from San Diego, makes a decision, and Culpepper is traded by the Vikings.
McCown is scheduled to fly to Detroit today for a visit. New Orleans and Miami have also expressed interest, but each team is trying to sign Brees, too.
• The team has contacted Green Bay offensive tackle Kevin Barry, an unrestricted free agent, and it's possible he could visit this week. Barry has started eight games in four years. . . . Contrary to earlier reports, the Cardinals did not extend a tender offer to guard Jeremy Bridges, making him an unrestricted free agent.
