On The Edge Of 30

[RugbyMuffin]

Cardinals running back thinks age is just a number
http://www.azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=2437



With 1,222 yards rushing this year Edge would pass up stars Thurman Thomas, Franco Harris, Marcus Allen, Marshall Faulk, Jim Brown and Tony Dorsett – and all but Faulk (who is not yet eligible) are in the Hall of Fame.

Those are some BIG names.

 

[Twist18]

I didnt know Edge and I shared the same B-Day.

 

[DaisyCutter]

Unless Edge wins something, it's going to be hard for him to make the Hall of Fame. The last 10 years have seen such an offensive explosion that the numbers aren't going to matter as much to a lot of voters (IMO).

I think that changing teams is going to hurt Edge, as well, unless he plays 3-4 more seasons after this one and wins a ring somehow. Someone like Jerome Bettis I think makes the Hall because he became so identifiable with a legendary franchise.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Unless Edge wins something, it's going to be hard for him to make the Hall of Fame. The last 10 years have seen such an offensive explosion that the numbers aren't going to matter as much to a lot of voters (IMO).

I think that changing teams is going to hurt Edge, as well, unless he plays 3-4 more seasons after this one and wins a ring somehow. Someone like Jerome Bettis I think makes the Hall because he became so identifiable with a legendary franchise.

Ridiculous. The guys numbers speak for themself.

Why don't we pull Dan Marino and Jim Kelly out of the Hall of Fame while we are at it.

 

[DaisyCutter]

Ridiculous. The guys numbers speak for themself.

Why don't we pull Dan Marino and Jim Kelly out of the Hall of Fame while we are at it.

Does Shaun Alexander go into the Hall of Fame? Would you send Curtis Martin? What about Vinny Testeverde?

Marino and Kelly both at least went to Super Bowls, and they stayed with their teams for their careers. In a lot of ways, each was bigger than the game. They also played in an earlier era.

Offensive stats are so inflated now that it's hard to say that they're the same over the period. I don't believe that Kurt Warner belongs in Canton, either, for what it's worth.

I think Edgerrin James is a great, great back. But I'm not really sure in what ways that he stands out from the other great backs of this generation. He had great tools around him, he doesn't transcend the game, and he never really delivered a team anywhere.

It's a sliding scale, of course. I think that LaDanian Tomlinson doesn't really transcend the game, but I think that he's had an impact on the league that others don't. I think that 15 years from now, the rookies are going to talk about studying LDT the way that current players talk about watching Barry Sanders.

I'm not sure how you can say that the numbers speak for themselves when we're in an era where the passing TD record was broken twice in three years, and the rushing TD record was broken three or 4 times in the last 5 years.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Does Shaun Alexander go into the Hall of Fame? Would you send Curtis Martin? What about Vinny Testeverde?

Marino and Kelly both at least went to Super Bowls, and they stayed with their teams for their careers. In a lot of ways, each was bigger than the game. They also played in an earlier era.

Offensive stats are so inflated now that it's hard to say that they're the same over the period. I don't believe that Kurt Warner belongs in Canton, either, for what it's worth.

I think Edgerrin James is a great, great back. But I'm not really sure in what ways that he stands out from the other great backs of this generation. He had great tools around him, he doesn't transcend the game, and he never really delivered a team anywhere.

It's a sliding scale, of course. I think that LaDanian Tomlinson doesn't really transcend the game, but I think that he's had an impact on the league that others don't. I think that 15 years from now, the rookies are going to talk about studying LDT the way that current players talk about watching Barry Sanders.

I'm not sure how you can say that the numbers speak for themselves when we're in an era where the passing TD record was broken twice in three years, and the rushing TD record was broken three or 4 times in the last 5 years.

Good points. When you see Ricky Watters, and Corey Dillon up there you wonder.

But still that list is not littered with current players.

1 Emmitt Smith
18,355

2 Walter Payton
16,726

3 Barry Sanders
15,269

4 Curtis Martin
14,101

5 Jerome Bettis
13,653

6 Eric Dickerson
13,259

7 Tony Dorsett
12,739

8 Jim Brown
12,312

9 Marcus Allen
12,243

10 Marshall Faulk
12,162

11 Franco Harris
12,120

12 Thurman Thomas
12,074

13 EDGERRIN JAMES
11,617

14 John Riggins
11,352

15 Corey Dillon
11,238

16 O.J. Simpson
11,236

17 FRED TAYLOR
10,715

18 Ricky Watters
10,643

19 LADAINIAN TOMLINSON
10,543

20 Tiki Barber
10,449

21 Eddie George
10,441

22 Ottis Anderson
10,273

23 WARRICK DUNN
10,179

24 Joe Perry
9,723

25 Earl Campbell
9,407

But I will say that if Curtis Martin doesn't get in it would be disgusting. Martin was an all time great, IMO.

As for Shaun Alexander? No Way. Career - 9429 yds? And still not even on a team this season ? Nope. Not gonna happen.

As for James? I guess you got a point. His numbers are great all ready, and another 1200 yards would put him seventh all time.

 

[Bobcat]

I didnt know Edge and I shared the same B-Day.

Great Power Ball Numbers...!!! Just might have to try them one day...!!!


BOBCAT

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Nothing ticks me off more than when people on this board bag on Edge.

His back-to-back season performance is so far ahead of every other cardinal running back since Otis Anderson its not even funny.

Yes, he can't break off 50 yarders anymore. But he gets three yards when any normal running back would only get one. He gets six yards when any normal running back would only get three.

His change-of-direction and strength make him the perfect back for our inconsistent offensive line.

You put a "burner" (like that falcons back Norwood) in our offense for the last two years and I guarantee you he doesn't come close to edge's production.

Edge has given the cardinals a legitimate running attack. Not a great one, but one that is a hell of a lot better than what the cardinals have had in the past twenty years.

And still people on this board whine and complain about him. Jesus Mother Mary and Joseph.

Edge still has one more year where age doesn't affect his game. He'll get 1,200 this year, and I say that confidently. Why? He has the talent, he doesn't get hurt, and he'll get the touches.

 

[Skkorpion]

Crimson, feel free to be ticked off.

A number of us appreciate Edge's contributions and are glad that we still have him, absent something better. But we also see him as THE weakest link in our offensive arsenal. I would currently rank Edge about the 26th best starting RB in the NFL, if that. About normal for us.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Crimson, feel free to be ticked off.

A number of us appreciate Edge's contributions and are glad that we still have him, absent something better. But we also see him as THE weakest link in our offensive arsenal. I would currently rank Edge about the 26th best starting RB in the NFL, if that. About normal for us.

How about some names of backs (besides and LT)

a) that would have done better in our offense the past two years?

b) would do better in our offense this year?

 

[cardsfanmd]

Would you send Curtis Martin?

Absolutely, with no equivocations.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Crimson, feel free to be ticked off.

A number of us appreciate Edge's contributions and are glad that we still have him, absent something better. But we also see him as THE weakest link in our offensive arsenal. I would currently rank Edge about the 26th best starting RB in the NFL, if that. About normal for us.

I really cant believe you would write this Skorp. How can one not only condone, but appreciate RG's effort/production (or lack there of) and overlook what Edge has brought to this team the last two years amazes me.

 

[RedRob]

Nothing ticks me off more than when people on this board bag on Edge.

His back-to-back season performance is so far ahead of every other cardinal running back since Otis Anderson its not even funny.

Yes, he can't break off 50 yarders anymore. But he gets three yards when any normal running back would only get one. He gets six yards when any normal running back would only get three.

His change-of-direction and strength make him the perfect back for our inconsistent offensive line.

You put a "burner" (like that falcons back Norwood) in our offense for the last two years and I guarantee you he doesn't come close to edge's production.

Edge has given the cardinals a legitimate running attack. Not a great one, but one that is a hell of a lot better than what the cardinals have had in the past twenty years.

And still people on this board whine and complain about him. Jesus Mother Mary and Joseph.

Edge still has one more year where age doesn't affect his game. He'll get 1,200 this year, and I say that confidently. Why? He has the talent, he doesn't get hurt, and he'll get the touches.

I'm with you CW. Edge is without question the most underrated, underappreciated guy on the team.

I think many fans will be patting him on the back after this season as he'll be behind a line that was together last year (can't remember the last time we've been able to say that).

Let's assume (and hope) he does have a great season, Edge will have every right to say "Don't call it a come back baby, I've been here for years."

 

[DaisyCutter]

Nothing ticks me off more than when people on this board bag on Edge.

His back-to-back season performance is so far ahead of every other cardinal running back since Otis Anderson its not even funny.

Yes, he can't break off 50 yarders anymore. But he gets three yards when any normal running back would only get one. He gets six yards when any normal running back would only get three.

His change-of-direction and strength make him the perfect back for our inconsistent offensive line.

You put a "burner" (like that falcons back Norwood) in our offense for the last two years and I guarantee you he doesn't come close to edge's production.

Edge has given the cardinals a legitimate running attack. Not a great one, but one that is a hell of a lot better than what the cardinals have had in the past twenty years.

And still people on this board whine and complain about him. Jesus Mother Mary and Joseph.

Edge still has one more year where age doesn't affect his game. He'll get 1,200 this year, and I say that confidently. Why? He has the talent, he doesn't get hurt, and he'll get the touches.

I hope this isn't directed at me. I love Edge. I was one of the people defending him this offseason when they wanted to see him cut. But you can like a player and feel like he doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame. Those two things aren't mutually exclusive.

Love Edge; glad he came here. He's handled himself with nothing but class no matter how much chaos was going on around him. He never complained when the team was terrible and the offensive line around him was terrible. He asked to put the game on his shoulder.

But that doesn't change the argument that he doesn't belong on the Hall of Fame.

 

[Skkorpion]

Crimson, Red Rob, there is nothing better than to have a player outperform one's expectations. Hope Edge gets over 1,300 yds, a 4.0 ypc year and 9 TDs or more.

If he does, we'll be playing a game at home in January.

 

[D-Dogg]

Edge is what he is...a solid NFL back, a tough, hard nosed grind it out guy who will get you 4 yards when 2 is all you thought would be gained. He is usually sure handed with the ball, and he never quits.

He's not flashy, never was. He's just a solid back with great vision and good awareness, and can see the holes enough to squirt through for a couple. He has put up the consistently best running numbers for a cards back in ages, and though that isn't saying a lot given what we've had, he also hasn't had a lot to run behind.

Edge isn't the weakest offensive link, either. That would be the tackles and the TE.

 

[Shogun]

But that doesn't change the argument that he doesn't belong on the Hall of Fame.

I disagree.

 

[Shogun]

Edge has this bad rap that he's just a system back and was only along for the ride aboard the Peyton Manning Experience, when people forget that many times he was the one carrying that offense. How the Colts ran him into the ground from jump street is the reason for his early knee injury that robbed him of his home run ability. Without his ability to take it to the house, he adjusted his game and still performed at a dominant level for six years.

He's one of the best modern backs of all-time and it's sad that he doesn't get proper due he deserves because of perception and circumstance. In the end, his HOF status hinges on Curtis Martin.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

You put a "burner" (like that falcons back Norwood) in our offense for the last two years and I guarantee you he doesn't come close to edge's production.

I have been sayin that for quite a while.

Edge is the last of a dying breed though, and even though he is still a top caliber back, IMO, he is a on the down side of his career.

Like most things in the NFL, the every down back is going to be extinct and specialization will take over. Just like you have possion receiver and speed receiver. Catching tight end and blocking tight end, etc., etc.

I expect for Whiz to repeat what he did in Pittsburg and go with the Thunder and Lightning package.

Hightower sound like he might be a good pick for the thunder, we just gotta find some speed to bring it all together.

Yet, while we wait for Hightower to mature, and look for some speed. Edge is a AWESOME alternative to have.

 

[DaisyCutter]

Edge has this bad rap that he's just a system back and was only along for the ride aboard the Peyton Manning Experience, when people forget that many times he was the one carrying that offense. How the Colts ran him into the ground from jump street is the reason for his early knee injury that robbed him of his home run ability. Without his ability to take it to the house, he adjusted his game and still performed at a dominant level for six years.

He's one of the best modern backs of all-time and it's sad that he doesn't get proper due he deserves because of perception and circumstance. In the end, his HOF status hinges on Curtis Martin.

I guess to me, only "the best" modern backs of all time deserves to make the Hall of Fame, and not necessarily "all of them."

Curtis Martin, IMO, makes a better argument. He was covted by two of the best coaches of the era in Bill Belicheck and Bill Parcells. He excelled for two different teams, and carried their offenses at times. Also, he lead the NFL in rushing at a remarkably advanced age and rather unexpectedly.
By no means do I think that Manning "made" James. In a lot of ways, I think that they helped each other. But James was a guy that essentially no one wanted when he became a free agent (I think the Cards were negotiating against themselves three years ago), and his production dropped off precipitously.

I don't think that any RB could succeed in that situation, and I think Edge is a gamer and a great guy to have in the lockerroom. But I'm conservative about the HoF, and I mainly feel that if you have to make an arugment for a guy, he probably doesn't belong there.

For me, Marshall Faulk is in, and Emmitt Smith, but I might not let another RB into the HoF until five years after Ladanian Tomlinson retires. Probably Curtis Martin, probably not Tiki Barber.

 

[Shogun]

You'd consider Tiki Barber before Edge? Crazy talk.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

You'd consider Tiki Barber before Edge? Crazy talk.

Tiki Barber is no Hall of Famer. End of discussion.

 

[DaisyCutter]

You'd consider Tiki Barber before Edge? Crazy talk.

I'd consider them both, and reject them both. Barber was a good player for a long time, and was the prototype for guys like Brian Westbrook (who I think is maybe the most underrated RB in the NFL). Barber will also get a boost from being an NFL twin and (more so) from playing in New York.

There have been a lot of good NFL backs in the past 8 or 10 years, but, for me, that weakens the argument to let most or all of them into the Hall.

 

[ajcardfan]

If Edge runs for over 1200 yards this season, he'll jump all the way to #7 for all time rushing yards. Couple that with a playoff appearance (which for the Cards, is like winning a Super Bowl is for other teams) and his HOF credentials get pretty strong IMO.

But, the HOF has really gone downhill in it's selection process. Dan Hampton got admitted before Art Monk? And, Lynn Swann and Joe Namath got in with very poor stats HOF-wise. What a joke.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

Fan expectations and the media play a lot into the equation on Edge being bagged on. Most fans and local media really didn't watch Edge game in and Game out before he arrived, when they saw the real type of runner he had become, they didn't really like it.

Fans also tend to root for underdog players that exceed low expectations and then over value them and against players that just meet or fall below them. Challenging the status of a beloved player is also a good way for you to get fan hate.

The local media is as guilty as anyone in terms of favoritism, I have never read bad thing written about Marcel Shipp, you would think he racked up at least 1000 yards at least once in his career, but guess what? Not even close, yet the media writes stories about his perseverance and his intangible value on special teams because they just flat out like the guy. Yet with Edge they play the devils advocate to a degree that ignores his accomplishments and in terms of Cardinal land, they're pretty impressive when you compare him to other AZ backs.