E. James won't accept being tackled in the backfield

[DraconisRex]

Cardinals | E. James won't accept being tackled in the backfield
Fri, 23 Jun 2006 15:42:06 -0700

Kent Somers, writing for the Sporting News, reports Arizona Cardinals RB Edgerrin James already has let his offensive line know that getting tackled in the backfield this year won't be acceptable. That happened a lot to Cardinals running backs last year as the offensive line struggled throughout the 2005 season.

He better get used to it... The Cards were ranked 32nd in getting stuffed last year, 29th in 2004 and 31st in 2003 and haven't been an effective run-blocking line since 2001/2002 when they were pretty-much a Top-10 o-line.

[papa burgundy]

I'm sure he doesn't want to accept losing either.. but hes gonna have to get used to it.

[Tracker]

I think everything that needs to be said about this has been said. :closed:

[Tracker]

funny, if he was a niner He'd be praised for his attitude of not accepting mediocrity regardless of the teams history (no matter how recent or how long that losing history runs) but because he's a card we have "he better get used to it" and "i'm sure he realized he made a mistake" last i checked it's june so i'm not so sure he has to get used to anything yet, and i'm not so sure anyone can say he's made a mistake just quite yet...

You are right Tiz, but you have to admit the Cards run blocking is pretty bad and they did not do anything to improve it this year. It is not too much of a stretch to say that in all likelihood they will struggle in this area again this year. Sure they could have a movie like revelation and become vastly improved by finding the right motivation and leadership via Edge. Chances are Edge is going to have to find way to get it done (which has the talent to do) without much help from that line. It is not impossible; Gore did it last year in spite of an underachieving line maybe Edge can to.

Then again maybe not.

At any rate we have to have some speculative ammo to fire back at out inner divisional competition. :stirthepot:

[Eric 80]

Edge is scared. If he was confident in his team he would never make a statement like that.

[BrentJones84]

funny, if he was a niner He'd be praised for his attitude of not accepting mediocrity regardless of the teams history (no matter how recent or how long that losing history runs) but because he's a card we have "he better get used to it" and "i'm sure he realized he made a mistake" last i checked it's june so i'm not so sure he has to get used to anything yet, and i'm not so sure anyone can say he's made a mistake just quite yet...

While you may be right, but personally, aslong as Indy could be competitive in salary, I would have stayed with a winning team.

Not just for a better shot at a ring, but a better shot at endorsements, Probowls, and maybe even a sniff at the HOF if he continued to help make the Indy tripplets one of the better offensive threesomes in the league.

In AZ, he's got a ton of money, some good WRs, but not much else.

[BrentJones84]

I think he's just settin' the table. The way I read it is he's telling his offensive line that his expectations of them are higher than the other RBs before him. His comments can be taken as him being scared but they can also be taken as him trying to step up and be a vocal leader.

I would think you're right.

[DallasNiner]

Hey props to edge...someone needs to show some balls in Arizona...::laugh:...Although I wish he would have stayed in Indy...

[Eric 80]

So when Alex states that he's not going to accept mediocrity is he saying he's scared too?I would have to say yes. But it is not necessarily a fear of being hit, it is a fear of failure. They are scared.

[Dwight Clark]

The line and James have to work together. Dallas' Oline was considered pretty garbage too, but that all changed when E Smith came aboard, and it sure wasn't because they revamped the entire line with Smiths arrival.

[Dwight Clark]

it sure as hell makes it easier for the oline when the back is willin to match their intensity doesn't it?

Maybe that's just it. Perhaps the line had no intensity whatsoever, simply because they knew their back wasn't gonna be productive. Now, they have a 1500 yard guy back there, basically telling them he isn't gonna accept getting stuffed at the point of attack, and each of those guys knows it.

[DraconisRex]

funny, if he was a niner He'd be praised for his attitude of not accepting mediocrity regardless of the teams history (no matter how recent or how long that losing history runs) but because he's a card we have "he better get used to it" and "i'm sure he realized he made a mistake" last i checked it's june so i'm not so sure he has to get used to anything yet, and i'm not so sure anyone can say he's made a mistake just quite yet...


No. I generally this kind of macho posturing stupid. He doesn't have to be happy about it. He can get on the line if he thinks they're giving a second-rate effort. But there's a fine line between being unwilling to accept second best efforts and thinking one can "macho" a problem away vis a line that just isn't very talented.

[Eric 80]

i'm interested in seeing how Edge's attack on their manhood plays out...
I don't know. If someone called me out like that I might just let the guy take a few hits.

[sandiegojoe]

Edge looked great behind a good O line in a well-orchestrated offense in Indy. Playing in AZ is gonna be humbling for him. I'm sure he'll do fine, but I wouldn't expect a pro bowl any time soon.

[Cardinal.Renz]

I think he's just settin' the table. The way I read it is he's telling his offensive line that his expectations of them are higher than the other RBs before him. His comments can be taken as him being scared but they can also be taken as him trying to step up and be a vocal leader.
I agree. Edge is just imposing his personality on the organization from everything I've heard. He's just trying to instill a winning attitude.

As for the o-line, having Lutui and Milford Brown should help the running game. Also, don't discount Leonard Davis is going into his contract year this season.

The biggest positive IMO will be o-line coach Steve Loney. But as has been noted, this has been covered all ready. We'll just have to wait and see.

[Cardinal.Renz]

what up C.Renz long time no harrasss :sam:
:doubleup: Just chillin' in the offseason. We'll have to get revved up here soon when training camp starts.

The Cards train here in Flagstaff where I live so I'll be able to post daily updates. :laugh:

[Cardinal.Renz]

Dang! Renz caught me saying something positive about the Cardinals! I feel so dirty...

:nana:
Busted! :hyper: