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Cardinals waive James as expected


PHOENIX (AP) -- The Arizona Cardinals granted running back Edgerrin James' wish to be released on Tuesday and cut two others who played significant roles in the team's run to the Super Bowl.

While James' move was anticipated, the release of cornerback Rod Hood and defensive end Travis LaBoy was not.

The moves clear salary cap space for the Cardinals, who want to sign new deals with linebacker Karlos Dansby and safety Adrian Wilson, and eventually with unhappy wide receiver Anquan Boldin.

James, Hood and LaBoy combined were to have made $10 million next season, but because of the $7.5 million signing bonus given to LaBoy a year ago, the cap savings will be several million dollars less than what the three would have earned. Still, it gives spending room to a franchise that had been just below the salary ceiling.

James had 794 carries for 2,895 yards and 16 touchdowns in his three seasons in Arizona. He topped 1,000 yards in 2006 and 2007, and his resurgence during last season's playoffs gave Arizona the running game it had sorely lacked.

He was benched for seven games earlier in 2008, the first time that's happened in his career, and he asked the team to release him then. The Cardinals refused, and he was reinserted into the lineup late in the season.

Despite it being such a difficult year, it led to James' only Super Bowl.

James had sought his release early in the free agency period, but the Cardinals held off until after last weekend's draft, where they chose Ohio State running back Chris "Beanie" Wells in the first round, the No. 31 pick overall. Wells and second-year pro Tim Hightower are expected to be Arizona's featured backs in the coming season.

James, 30, had one year left, at $5 million, on the four-year, $40 million deal he signed with Arizona before the 2006 season. He recently experienced a personal tragedy with the death of his longtime girlfriend, and mother of his four children, of leukemia at age 30.

In his 10-year career, James has rushed for 12,121 yards, 11th on the NFL career list and first among active players.

Hood appeared in 31 games, 30 as a starter, since signing with Arizona as a free agent in 2007. He had 105 tackles and six interceptions. The Cardinals added a cornerback in free agency by signing Bryant McFadden, then drafted Greg Toler out of tiny St. Paul's College of Virginia in the fourth round on Sunday.

LaBoy, who played four seasons for the Tennessee Titans, signed a five-year, $22 million contract, with about $7.5 million guaranteed, with Arizona before the 2008 season. He played in 13 games with 38 tackles, four sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in his lone season with the Cardinals.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt wasn't available for comment, but issued a statement through the team.

"It's never easy to release veteran players who have contributed to the team's success, and these three individuals certainly fall into that category," he said. "But like every decision we make, it simply comes down to what is in the best interest of our football team and what gives us the best chance for success. We're grateful to all three of them for their contributions and wish them nothing but the best in the future."

The team's minicamp starts on Friday.



cnnsi


any thoughts?

While I don't believe he'll come here (I hope he isn't, at least), I do believe some team will take him.

He's certainly not a bad RB.

If the pats didn't get Fred Taylor, I'm sure they would have looked at him...

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If the pats didn't get Fred Taylor, I'm sure they would have looked at him...

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They still might, wouldnt suprise me at all.

James was a really effective back in Indy,, then he went for the money and essentially killed his career. I don't know if I'd want him here. I suppose if something happened to Lewis, he'd be a guy you have to at least look at right?

Only thing is he's still gonna want alot of money and he wanted out of Arizona because he didnt start, so he'd want both and in reality we can get somebody to back up Jamal for this year for alot less than what we'd have to pay him.

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the release of cornerback Rod Hood and defensive end Travis LaBoy was not.

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Does anyone have an opinion on what's wrong with LaBoy? Weren't we interested in him at one time? Go Brownies!!!!

Even more surprising is the fact that the Cardinals released Roderick Hood too. Now he's one I would consider looking at.


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In a surprising yet predictable move, the Arizona Cardinals have parted ways with running back Edgerrin James, defensive end Travis LaBoy, and cornerback Roderick Hood. James was the one move we all expected to happen, the other two, not so much. Although LaBoy did absolutely nothing last year, he would just be in his second year with the team and would be returning healthy. Hood is the shocker. The Cardinals had a poor secondary last year and Hood was one of the more solid players. According to NFL.com, this is all salary cap related. Releasing Edge now frees up $5 million in cap room, while the release of Hood will release $3 million, and LaBoy $2 million. The current draft now makes a lot more sense with the additions of Cody Brown and Rashad Johnson/Toler. The moves do however, limit depth, especially on the defense. Obviously coach Whisenhunt and Bill Davis saw something that didn't fit into the defensive scheme the Cardinals were trying to run. What's everybody's take on the situation? Was this the right move for the team?

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Only thing is he's still gonna want alot of money and he wanted out of Arizona because he didnt start, so he'd want both and in reality we can get somebody to back up Jamal for this year for alot less than what we'd have to pay him

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Thats a couple of assumptions on your part and you may be right, and if so, yeah, It wouldn't be a good fit for us.

But remember, I said IF something happens to Lewis,, otherwise, I wouldn't do it at all....

If the Colts didn't draft Donald Brown, I would have said James would go back there.

But now, who knows, maybe the Texans or Falcons?

I think the Edge has lost his edge. Probably not the ideal time to bring him in (about five years too late), and I doubt he'd want to play in Cleveland besides. I'll pass.

I think the Texans would make a lot of sense. They need someone to help out Slayton.

he's done, or very close to it.

j/c

You know, and someone please correct me if I'm way off base, but it seems to me that Edge just doesn't have the fire anymore. He left a championship caliber team for the $$$. Now, he's not the first guy to do that, but it just kind of shows where his head is.

I'm not sure anyone predicted Arizona to be competitive like they were this past year. I mean, they were consistently average to below average. It wasn't like he was leaving for the $$$ and a team that was just a couple pieces away, at least IMO.

His girlfriend and the mother of his kids just passed away from leukemia. He's taken this "going to be released" thing with just a shrug of the shoulders. Now, I wasn't expecting him to start crying or making a big stink in the media. But, it just came across to me as very lackadaisical.

With all that's going on in his personal life, maybe he just doesn't have the fire anymore, and I'm not sure I can really blame him.

i would not blame him either. also I think (not sure) that he hates cold weather.

Oh, I agree, and I'm not saying I fault him for his decision. I'm just saying that the fact that he went for the money shows where his head is. There's nothing wrong with him thinking "I need to make a lot now to provide for my family." I can't blame him for that.

But it certainly doesn't speak as highly as "I want to win championships" or "I want to play football."

I know that if I was a boss somewhere, I wouldn't want to hire someone who is working just for the money. I'd want someone who wants to work for me because they love what they do and they are going to pour their heart and soul into it.

All I'm saying is that it just doesn't seem he really has the "fire", and I think it shows on the field.

JMHO

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We already have one geezer (joking), we don't need another.

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How do people constantly miss this,, I keep saying No to him but if SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO LEWIS, I'd want to look at James.., and as far as his age, he and Lewis are close in age and mileage.....

Should have taken Beanie,.... (NOT before Mack though,...)

And I'd rather look at Harrison and Davis...