Running game could be source of problems

[Duckjake]

First Cardinal back to reach 1000 yards since when ever behind a horrible line says enough for me.

Edge was also the first Cardinal RB to have over 300 carries in a season since 1981.

Emmit Smith had just as good a season in 2004 when Smith had 937 yards on 70 fewer carries scoring 9 TDs. An under appreciated accomplishment by a guy at that stage of his career.

Edge mentioned in a recent article that while he wants his touches he thinks the coaches didn't run him at the right times, especially when the D was keying on the run.

The question I have is why would teams be keying on the run with the weapons the Cards had at WR? Were they tipping plays or just too predictable?

 

[JeffGollin]

Disagree, and I know I've suggested in other threads that Edge might be benched before the end of the season. Edge, in my opinion, is done this year. He won't be with us next year.

Interesting comments by Darren Urban of the EVT on FSN AZ reporters roundtable show last night - Urban says that he talked with Edgerrin James and Edge intends to prove all the nay sayers wrong. The gold teeth are gone. He understands that Peterson might or might not be drafted by us, but - that either way - he plans to go out and prove to everyone that Edge is far from being done.

The impression given by Urban was that Edge was stone-cold serious about this.

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

I actually think this article has potential merit. Right now everyone's fine...but...we all saw last year how Edge griped about his number of carries, to the detriment of the team, IMO. Edge likes calling his own shots...which is why there could be problems..

Huh? I think what he was talking about last year was the lack of consistency. One week he would get 32 carries, then 7 the next. Plus, as much as you ripped DG, I am sure it wasnt lost on you the assinine play-calling by this team in certain situations.

.not just in terms of carries, but as the article rightly points out, Edge's running style does not match up with Whiz's philosophy. Whiz wants downhill runners, plain and simple. No dancing...no lateral RB slides, waiting for a hole to open in zone blocking schemes.

I agree this is what he wants, but I am not sure why you think an ALL-Pro like Edge couldnt do that? He can change his style, hell he learned how to be succseful after his knee surgery, by changing his style.

If the Cards do draft Adrian Peterson...this would likely exacerbate the situation to the point where Edge would become an even more outspoken malcontent and would probably demand a trade...

Malcontent? Where do you get these things from? He is the lockerroom leader of this team. His teammates absolutly love him. Dungy called him one of the "smartest running backs" he has ever coached. This is just flat-out bias from you.

the thing is, though...Edge's market value has dropped...the Colts weren't all that keen about re-signing him (and we all saw that a rookie, Joseph Addai, played just fine in Edge's spot)...and Edge's performance last year (regardless of the yards) wasn't really all that impressive. His durability was...but he really didn't finish off runs consistently well at all and he didn't show a breakway burst or so-called "great vision" in the open field.

Ok...well we can agree to disagree, but lets see any RB in this league get the kinda yards he got with this horrible Oline. I agree on the breakaway speed, but he hasnt had that since his knee injury-way before he got to AZ. I am not sure why that suprised you?

Then...there's the whole issue of off-season training away from Arizona and his adamant disdain for playing in pre-season games (which really no veteran wants to do--but, the Cardinals are putting in a new system and have to get their timing and cohesiveness down...in addition to the assignments)...

Ok, Just like Emmit Smith who hates playing in preseason games and regularly doesnt at all. Or Jamaal Lewis who plays maybe 5-6 snaps a whoel preseason, etc etc . His training is old news and he comes to camp in arguably the best shape of anyone on the team, and always works out hard. I see much adu about nothing here.

To me, Edge has been more of a deterrant than an asset. He came in talking like he's bigger than the team and he acted like it.

I know, becuase this team always has 1000 yard rushers. When was the last one again? Adrian Murrell? and before that? Come on, he is a star RB and I am tankful he is on this team!

Plus...he is no longer a star. Not in the manner in which he runs.

*

 

[football karma]

Edge was also the first Cardinal RB to have over 300 carries in a season since 1981.

Emmit Smith had just as good a season in 2004 when Smith had 937 yards on 70 fewer carries scoring 9 TDs. An under appreciated accomplishment by a guy at that stage of his career.



The question I have is why would teams be keying on the run with the weapons the Cards had at WR? Were they tipping plays or just too predictable?

DJ--

I think it was two fold:

1. With Leinart, the offense was clearly scaled down and simplified for the rookie (which coaches, Cardinal players and opponent defensive players noted). Makes it much easier to predict by personal packages, down and distance.

2. I think Denny catered to Edge. For example, a week after blowing a lead to KC and getting criticized by Edge and others for not running the ball enough, Denny was determined to run it against the Bears, defensive alignment be damned.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

One Edge. His teammates love the guy, Colts players even showed up to training camp last year wearing Edge jerseys. Edge even threw a super bowl party for the Colts players in Miami. He was really happy for them. Shows the kind of guy he is.

Edge mentioned in a recent article that while he wants his touches he thinks the coaches didnt run him at the right times, especially when the D was keying on the run. I think he was talking about the Bears game.

He knew he wasnt getting it done at the goal line so he asked the coaches to give Shipp the ball at the goal line. It was he who suggested to the coaches that Shipp get more touches inside the 20. He wants his carries yes, but he also wants to win. Man what an ego this guy has.

He also balked at the media stating he doesnt like running behind a fullback and making way more then it actually is, by saying and a paraphrase, "I ran behind a FB in college, it didnt bother me then why would it bother me now."

he showed up to camp in great shape according to Wiz and according to the print writters he looked really quick. He is a pro and knows how to workout in the offseason.

I really dont understand the flack this guy gets.

Thank you Thank You Thank you.

Seriously this might be the post of the year in terms of the Cardinal RB. Anyone who thinks anything else really just isn't paying attention.