Edge Asks to be Released (PFT)

[Gambit]

They do sometimes make things up out of whole cloth, but they do also get a lot of things right. Scroll down and read the last couple of pages of entries, see what has come to pass.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

"in the prime of his career" - that's a good one. I just had a thought. Maybe Nashman is Drew Rosenhaus!

Man, great minds do think alike.

 

[Renz]

Edge came here to get his last big contract, and he got it. He should just shut up and ride out the season and contribute any way he's asked.

Next season he will be begging for a job, a la Shaun Alexander.

 

[TJ]

Honestly, I wish James would defer these comments this until the end of the season. These are not the words of a "team player." The Cards are on the verge of something spectacular, that we have never seen in the valley and he wants no part of it? Come on man, the season is almost done and we are almost in the playoffs. Be a little more strategic in your requests. You honestly think someone is going to claim you off waivers and pay your pro rated $5 mil salary this season? Hell no! Your best option is to cheer on your teammates and when your number is called, play your arse off. Then again, you are represented by Rosenscum, which doesn't help any player's credibility.

 

[RonF]

He needs to stay and finish out the year, if Hightower goes down we have no backup. Edge is paid well to sit and wait, same as Leinart, there are no certainties in football.

 

[Jersey Girl]

Why wouldn't he?

He's been classy about this demotion. Far more than I would be. He asked two weeks ago, and it's only coming out now?

I completely see his point of view, but am also fully fine with him riding pine.

I tend to agree. And it's not like he came out yelling to the media about wanting to play elsewhere.

It would be stupid for the Cards to cut him at this point. Who knows what can happen this Sunday or next Sunday or five weeks down the line? If Hightower gets injured or plays poorly, then who knows?

 

[jefftheshark]

TOGAFAU ASKED CARDS TO CUT HIM

Posted by jefftheshark on November 19, 2008, 3:20 p.m.


Though he’s apparently committed not to creating a distraction for the 7-3 Cardinals by publicly complaining about his current lack of playing time with the team, we’re told that linebacker Pago Togafau asked the team to release him in the wake of his disappearance from the starting roster. Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt expressed surprise that Togafau was still with the team.


"I thought we cut him when we cut James", Whisenhunt declared, "he's still hanging around?"


After Cardinals Assistant Head Coach Russ Grimm whispered urgently in KW's ear, the exasperated Head Coach voiced his surprise that the ex-"Savior of the Franchise James" was also still with the team.


"If he's still here, why aren't we using him? Or is he in the Hall of Fame already?" sputtered Whisenhunt.


But after another hushed, but animated, exchange with Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley, where Haley pulled out his iPhone and showed KW several youTube selections, a chagrined Whisenhunt sheepishly admitted, "Oh, yeah, I remember now."

***************


JTS

 

[Renz]

 

[TJ]

TOGAFAU ASKED CARDS TO CUT HIM

Posted by jefftheshark on November 19, 2008, 3:20 p.m.


Though he’s apparently committed not to creating a distraction for the 7-3 Cardinals by publicly complaining about his current lack of playing time with the team, we’re told that linebacker Pago Togafau asked the team to release him in the wake of his disappearance from the starting roster. Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt expressed surprise that Togafau was still with the team.


"I thought we cut him when we cut James", Whisenhunt declared, "he's still hanging around?"


After Cardinals Assistant Head Coach Russ Grimm whispered urgently in KW's ear, the exasperated Head Coach voiced his surprise that the ex-"Savior of the Franchise James" was also still with the team.


"If he's still here, why aren't we using him? Or is he in the Hall of Fame already?" sputtered Whisenhunt.


But after another hushed, but animated, exchange with Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley, where Haley pulled out his iPhone and showed KW several youTube selections, a chagrined Whisenhunt sheepishly admitted, "Oh, yeah, I remember now."

***************


JTS

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Not Togafau!!!

 

[AzWins23]

ESPN

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3713742

 

[Rivercard]

My beef is this bogus report from PFT. Anyone that takes that site seriously is a fool IMO.

PFT was right after all. Took less than a half a day to confirm it. Imagine that.

PFT appears to have gotten more reliable in recent times as they have grown in stature. They were on the Mike Vick story way before anyone else would touch it. I assume their "sources" have become more legit.

 

[NeverSayDieFan]

Losing the EDGE...

OK! As fans we seldom get the WHOLE story. Just bits & pieces of the truth. Correct me if I'm wrong on this one. A team player is loved & respected. He's looked up to by the young man he's tutoring. He has NEVER played in a Super Bowl but in todays' crazy NFL has a chance to be on a team that goes there. He's part of one of the BEST feel-good stories in the NFL this year. ...AND NOW he asks to be released?? Is he going to start for some other team?? What am I missing here??

 

[Shogun]

Honestly, I wish James would defer these comments this until the end of the season. These are not the words of a "team player." The Cards are on the verge of something spectacular, that we have never seen in the valley and he wants no part of it? Come on man, the season is almost done and we are almost in the playoffs. Be a little more strategic in your requests. You honestly think someone is going to claim you off waivers and pay your pro rated $5 mil salary this season? Hell no! Your best option is to cheer on your teammates and when your number is called, play your arse off. Then again, you are represented by Rosenscum, which doesn't help any player's credibility.

Being along for the ride of something special =/= being involved in something special. IE: Jeremy Shockey. The thing is that he's been pretty much phased out of the offense. Standing on the sidelines knowing damn well you can play/contribute doesn't exactly feel good, especially when you're on a winning team.

I wish that he would stay and the team would be foolish to cut him. I disagree with those saying that this is a selfish move. Wanting to play or knowing when your services are no longer desired is not being selfish.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

BTW, PFT has it wrong, it was Rosenhaus who approached the team 3 weeks ago when Edge was benched. Edge has been a model player and teammate. PFT is a buch of maroons.

 

[Skkorpion]

Sad, but again, not surprising.

Like you, dream, I have posted here the last two years that Edge was all about himself and his numbers. Nothing else.

The evidence was out there but some refused to see it. So now it's in the open. Good.

It matters not. We won't release him because it would be stupid to do so. We have no RB depth and will need him still this year, maybe even this week. As a rest provider, a blocker, a fill-in or maybe as a starter if Hightower is injured.

He is a true pro and I know he will stay ready and play hard if called upon, unless he's even more of a Prima Donna than even I believed.

 

[Bert]

Seriously, is Drew Rosenhaus TRYING to ruin our season?

He pulled the crap with Q in training camp, and now here he is, crying out for attention again. It's like he's trying to be as much of a distraction as possible.

Someone please call an exorcist?!?!!

 

[slanidrac16]

Much to do about nothing. Sure he wants to play and if you look at what has gone down these last few weks you can't help but think Edge believes he is capable of matching what Hightower and Arrington has done.

He is a pro athlete with an ego just like most athletes have. He wants to play. He wants the spotlight. The only thing that suprises me is did he actually believe the Cards would release him?

He very well could play a role in this weeks game. His next great play may not be a 20 yard run. maybe it's a blitz pick up that saves Warner a concussion.

 

[RolleRocks]

Being along for the ride of something special =/= being involved in something special. IE: Jeremy Shockey. The thing is that he's been pretty much phased out of the offense. Standing on the sidelines knowing damn well you can play/contribute doesn't exactly feel good, especially when you're on a winning team.

I wish that he would stay and the team would be foolish to cut him. I disagree with those saying that this is a selfish move. Wanting to play or knowing when your services are no longer desired is not being selfish.

Phased out?

A player is "phased out" when a team gives up on their current season and goes with youth, instead of the better, more effective player.

That does not describe what happened here with Edge at all.

The Cardinals are going with Hightower because they're trying to upgrade their running back play right now, not somewhere down the road.

Edge was given 2 1/2 years of unending opportunities with the Cardinals. He did nothing with his opportunities.

He was not "phased out." He was benched...benched for mediocre play.

The notion that somehow Edge is getting a raw deal because he has been pushed aside while he can still play and contribute is pure folly.

The Cards are in a "Win-Now" mode. That is why Edge has been benched. The man can contribute nothing to help this team win this week, or next week, or during the playoffs.

Edge has no gripe here.

He played hard. He owes the Cardinals organization and his teammates no apologies. But he needs to be replaced on the field.

 

[Skkorpion]

Phased out?

A player is "phased out" when a team gives up on their current season and goes with youth, instead of the better, more effective player.

That does not describe what happened here with Edge at all.

The Cardinals are going with Hightower because they're trying to upgrade their running back play right now, not somewhere down the road.

Edge was given 2 1/2 years of unending opportunities with the Cardinals. He did nothing with his opportunities.

He was not "phased out." He was benched...benched for mediocre play.

The notion that somehow Edge is getting a raw deal because he has been pushed aside while he can still play and contribute is pure folly.

The Cards are in a "Win-Now" mode. That is why Edge has been benched. The man can contribute nothing to help this team win this week, or next week, or during the playoffs.

Edge has no gripe here.

He played hard. He owes the Cardinals organization and his teammates no apologies. But he needs to be replaced on the field.

Well put, Rolle.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/2008/11/19/20081119spt-ejames.html

"Edgerrin's attitude has been good," Graves said. "He hasn't come in to Ken (coach Ken Whisenhunt) or myself to demand or suggest he wants to be released. He's continued to work and right now everybody is focusing on trying to beat the Giants."

Rosenhaus said James is not going to comment on the matter. "He's put the ball in my court," Rosenhaus said.



Sounds good to me. Bring on the Giants.
:number1:

 

[DeAnna]

Apparently, he was not endearing himself to the most important person on team - the head coach.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/2008/11/19/20081119spt-bickley.html

The head coach will not tolerate players who gripe during the good times, who miss the only scheduled practice during a bye week, who strike some members of the organization as a guy not running that hard, particularly in that loss to the Panthers.

Instead, James just confirmed the public's worst perception of him - that he's driven only by money and statistics. It is in stark contrast to what James said earlier in the season when asked about his diminished role:

 

[JeffGollin]

I feel for Edge - I really do.

But we have the playoffs to reach (maybe even further) and - given the way pro football tends to physically chew up its RB's - we're going to need the added depth and muscle Edge gives us.

I'm just guessing, but - coming off what figures to be a physically tough contest against the Giants and then traveling to cold, windy Philly 4 days later - we may see a lot of Edgerrin James when we play against the Eagles Thanksgiving night.

Midway thru the season, team needs must trump player needs.

 

[nashman]

Cheese to be fair I NEVER said Edge was in his prime wise guy. I said Edge is still the best RB on the team and umm so far I haven't been proven wrong TH still has a lower YPC than Edge. IMO a back like Edge is good for this offense to keep the chains moving. TH has yet to impress since his starting so you have to keep Edge because the rookie may be sitting real soon with his past few performances. Still a questionable decision by Whiz if you ask me to sit a proven 1200 yrd back for our team behind our line to start an unproven kid, well it worked against the Rams and thats about it, 1 out of 3 against bad teams hmmm....questionable.

 

[1DS]

Cheese to be fair I NEVER said Edge was in his prime wise guy. I said Edge is still the best RB on the team and umm so far I haven't been proven wrong TH still has a lower YPC than Edge. IMO a back like Edge is good for this offense to keep the chains moving. TH has yet to impress since his starting so you have to keep Edge because the rookie may be sitting real soon with his past few performances. Still a questionable decision by Whiz if you ask me to sit a proven 1200 yrd back for our team behind our line to start an unproven kid, well it worked against the Rams and thats about it, 1 out of 3 against bad teams hmmm....questionable.

Did Edge save your wife from a burning building, or did Hightower run over your dog?

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Besides just a feeling no one has ever been able to put any kind of substance as to why they feel that way.

Me first players do not:

1. Get called the best TEAMMATE I have ever had by Payton Manning.
2. Have more then one player wear an Edge jeresy to the first day of training camp the year he left to go to another team. (Wayne, Harrison, Rhodes all wore his jersey to the first day of camp).
3. Get a super bowl ring even though you are a year removed from the Colts team.
4. Still help to motivate, train, give tips and hints, to your competition even though that competition already got you benched.
5. Get the game ball of your competition for all the help he gave to him.
6. Have Warner stick up for and laugh off the idea that he would be a distraction in an interview after the Monday night game.

Sorry but this guy is loved by all of his teammates everywhere he has gone or has met. That doesnt happen to me first players. He is me first just like any other player is me first. Warner was making the same kinds of comments the beginning of this year, he was making the same comments when benched at the Rams and at the Giants. Doesnt make them me first players just normal football players who want to play that have egos like everyone else.

With the reports that are coming out, are there anyone that agreed with this statement changing their mind? Just curious.