According to the Official Arizona Cardinals web site, Edgerrin James, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts, has agreed to a 4-year contract:
The Arizona Cardinals Football Club has agreed to a 4-year contract with running back Edgerrin James. In accordance to team policy terms of the deal were not disclosed.
This deal is important for me for a couple reasons: one, obviously, as a Colts fan, I am disappointed to see one of the team’s best running backs (and a decent person all-around) leave, and two, living in Saint Louis, I’ll be very interested to see what this move does for the hometown team’s NFC West Division. Kurt Warner, with a good receiving corps and now one of the game’s best RBs – along with a good defense – could mean that a new sheriff could be coming to town in the West. We’ll see…
I’ve always been in the school of thought that the Colts’ offense is as balanced, diverse, and potent as it is because of the caliber of James’ play: running, receiving, and blocking; few RBs can do all three as well as Edge. But, I’m sure the Colts’ management knew this day was coming (as with the Faulk trade that brought James to Indy in the first place), and have a plan in mind to deal with it.
Some people are upset that James would leave Indy to go to a supposedly non-contender like Arizona, simply for the money; however, the owners view all aspects of football as a business, and why shouldn’t the players? In modern professional sports, we are long past the era of the true “franchise” players. Rare is the player – especially the super-star – who starts and ends his career with the same team (in any sport).
James has done nothing but produce on the football field for the Colts, and had done so quietly and without glory-hogging. For that, I will be eternally grateful and will always have great respect for Edge. He has always demonstrated that his desire is to provide for his family and to give back to his community, while maintaining his ability to enjoy his life after his football career is over. This contract is likely his last, and if going to Arizona will allow him to continue to pursue his goals, then I say: more power to him, and best of luck with Arizona.