James skipping this week’s voluntary workouts

CardsGuy

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James skipping this week’s voluntary workouts
By Darren Urban, Tribune
May 31, 2006

The Cardinals begin their final 11 voluntary organized team activities of the offseason today at their Tempe complex, although running back Edgerrin James won’t be there.

James won’t attend the three workouts this week and has informed the team. He is expected to participate in some of the workouts — the Cards have practices June 5-8 and 12-15 — although whether he returns next week or the week after remains unclear.

James’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not return a phone message.

James did participate in the Cardinals’ first three voluntary workouts of the offseason held just prior to their post-draft mandatory minicamp. James had said he planned to be around in Arizona much of this offseason as he learned about his new team.

But the fact he will miss some voluntary work isn’t a big surprise. He did the same during most of his offseasons when playing for Indianapolis, preferring to work out in his home state of Florida.

“They said I wasn’t a regular (in the offseason), but they left out that when I didn’t know my responsibilities, I was there,” James said earlier this month. “I am not going to be here just to save face and stand around. I am going to work. My first (offseason) in Indy, I was there.”

Coach Dennis Green has had nearly a 100 percent turnout at his voluntary organized team activities in his previous two offseasons. Last year, the only player to miss significant time was running back Troy Hambrick, who drew Green’s ire by skipping the whole month. Hambrick was cut early in camp.

Contact Darren Urban by email, or phone (480) 898-6525
 

Russ Smith

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clif said:
To be expected.

yep that is his reputation and you can't really argue with him, if he knows his job and doesn't really need to be there, he might as well get the rest and take care of himself. Big difference between him and Hambrick, Hambrick was out of shape and skipping workouts, Edge isn't.

But there's no question that stuff did bother the Colts at times, it was that and his repeated desire to get a new contract all the time that IMHO ultimately led the Colts to let him leave.
 

Rivercard

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Russ Smith said:
yep that is his reputation and you can't really argue with him, if he knows his job and doesn't really need to be there, he might as well get the rest and take care of himself.

Yeah, Edge has earned the right I suppose. But it does reek of elitism. A bunch of other guys could make the case to skip out since they know their jobs too.
 

Russ Smith

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Rivercard said:
Yeah, Edge has earned the right I suppose. But it does reek of elitism. A bunch of other guys could make the case to skip out since they know their jobs too.

Emmitt did the same thing and I don't recall anybody complaining within the team. James had only 17 carries in the preseason last year, I bet he's close to that again this year, maybe a few more since we're a new team. He's a guy who's been at this for awhile, 7 years in the NFL, 6 essentially full seasons, has the knee history, the Cards no doubt knew before signing him that his participation was going to be limited but that if he NEEDED to be there, he would be.

If he skips workouts that they expect him to attend I'll change my tune, but right now I'm betting anything the cards know all about this and are fine with it.
 

CardShark

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I disagree with it. He's with a new team and it's not just for him to become familiar with the team, it's also for the team to become familiar with him.
 

MadCardDisease

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CardShark said:
I disagree with it. He's with a new team and it's not just for him to become familiar with the team, it's also for the team to become familiar with him.

I agree.
 

Russ Smith

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joeshmo said:
He knew about it before he was even signed.

Agreed, if this is a surprise to any Cards coaches I'd be amazed. he should get plenty of reps in camp to get familiar. A guy like Edge you are bargaining that less reps in practice and camp will result in the guy playing virtually every down during the regular season.
 

MadCardDisease

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joeshmo said:
He knew about it before he was even signed.

I'm pretty sure Green knew about this. However I wonder of Green accepts it. Rumor has it that Green wasn't the one who persued signing Edge and that it was Michael Bidwill who really wanted Edge signed.
 

brettman82

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Its not like Edge is sitting at home eating cheetos and playing video games while the rest of the team is busting their butts in these voluntary workouts. He is down here training in S. Fla with the rest of the Cane alums.
 

JeffGollin

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I'm sure this was understood before Edge signed and it's OK with Dennis. But betcha this: If it was Parcells who was the HC, he'd probably go along with it at first. But later on during the season, if Edge f**'d up, the Tuna would never let him hear the end of it. (i.e. "See what happens when you slack off during the off-season?" Or "Uh Oh! There's another rep you didn't take while you were on vacation...")
 

Big Red Line

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MadCardDisease said:
I'm pretty sure Green knew about this. However I wonder of Green accepts it. Rumor has it that Green wasn't the one who persued signing Edge and that it was Michael Bidwill who really wanted Edge signed.

I have never heard this rumor and, in fact, have reliable information that the entire front office (including Dennis Green) were involved and elated with the pursuit and signing of James. So my question is: Did you make up this story or do you have a source? I don't really care which it is. I'm merely curious. Frankly, I don't see any great moral lapse in strengthening an opinion by labeling it a rumor, or cloaking it with authority, although I don't think I'd do it myself (except in this post).
 

MadCardDisease

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Big Red Line said:
I have never heard this rumor and, in fact, have reliable information that the entire front office (including Dennis Green) were involved and elated with the pursuit and signing of James. So my question is: Did you make up this story or do you have a source? I don't really care which it is. I'm merely curious. Frankly, I don't see any great moral lapse in strengthening an opinion by labeling it a rumor, or cloaking it with authority, although I don't think I'd do it myself (except in this post).

To be honest with you I can't remember exactly where I heard that. I did a search and couldn't find anything so I must have heard it on the radio. Again it was purely a rumor where ever I read or heard that. But to answer your question I did not make this up but indeed did read or hear it somewhere.

Actually I did find a post where I mentioned it.
http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=69845&page=3

I'm pretty sure I heard it on MJ and Bickley in the morning.
 
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Redsz

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For someone who didn't want to bring James in. Green sure looks happy and makes a habit of bragging about James in every interview since his signing.
 

BigRedRage

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i expected it because it is edge afterall. However i cannot say that i like it. The team is currently (or was?) led by nothing but pros who are serious about theyr team. Boldin, fitz, warner, u name them, they show up to every camp because it is what is asked of them. I do understand edge could possibly be in BETTER shape by staying in miami but i dont want to see anyone else decide its not important to come to the workouts. Green was such a hard ass about stuff like this and because edge did it, he cant be a hardass about it anymore. He can cut you if your worried about your job but the guys who will start no matter what could get the wrong ideas.


IMO greens control just dropped a little, he wont lose the team or anything but he cant enforce workouts either. I think by him being a hardass on being together, it has really helped everyone feel more of a team. Teams win superbowls.
 

Shane

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There is no way that this should be acceptable to anyone regardless of whether its Edge or not.

You cant say you expected it because Edge stated himself that he would be here for off season workouts when he was signed. He stated that it was important since it was his first year here in a new system and that he needed to be here to get on the same page with the other players on the offense. Hes a hypocrite. Thats shouldnt be acceptible just because its Edgerrin James.

Im still glad we have him. But I dont like his Me attitude at all!
 

LoyaltyisaCurse

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Its worked for Edge his whole carreer, if it aint broke...
 

Shane

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LoyaltyisaCurse said:
Its worked for Edge his whole carreer, if it aint broke...

Thats not the point. The point is that he sat there and with his own mouth stated he needed to be here and would be here. Hes a hypocrite. Dont like it at all. WOuldnt like it no matter who it was.

You guys kill me with the Its edge so it should be expected and its ok mentallity!
 

Duckjake

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You guys kill me with the Its edge so it should be expected and its ok mentallity!

The Cardinals have lost 66 games in the last 6 years. We take what we can get. :D

and that it was Michael Bidwill who really wanted Edge signed.

To generate interest in your NFL franchise you either win big games or sign big names. Looks like the latter is working just fine for the Cardinals.

I don't care if James is hanging out with Ricky Williams, his signing and the draft of Leinart have generated excitement about the Cards I haven't seen in years. He's the man in my book.
 

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