Off to the Off-Season: Running backs
January 20, 2008 by Harry Greene
Off to the Off-Season
If you thought the quarterback position was a minefield, just wait until you try to figure out what to do with this group.
Running Backs
Overview
Edgerrin James was once a star. Pretending he is now would be merely wishful thinking. James is a warrior and certainly has had little blocking help. Pardon the pun, but the Cards were stacked against him in Arizona. He wants to win and will always want the ball when the game is on the line. He knows what it takes to be a playoff team and he is a class act, but he is no longer the premier player he once was. He needs a better line. To call Arrington anything beyond a major disappointment would be too kind. He shows little ability to get to a hole quickly and more often than not goes down on first contact. Again he may look much better if he goes someplace where he gets more space to begin his run. Shipp has been a lost soul. Whisenhunt apparently doesn’t like his performance in practice sessions, so Shipp has gotten few touches in games. Last season he was the go to guy inside the 10, but this year that role has vanished.
IMO
Depending how the roster bonus was utilized and considering James’ $5 million dollar salary for 2008, cutting him would reduce the payroll by $2-3 million. There is no doubt will he likely be picked up by a contending team and play solidly. There is also little doubt that he is not an impact player with the Cardinals and isn’t going to be in 2008 or 2009. He’s a luxury vehicle for a team that needs to stick with a Camry. There won’t be any resulting big savings, but it’s time for Arrington to go also. He didn’t succeed in Green’s offense or in Whisenhunt’s. It’s time to start from the beginning. Oddly enough I would hope Whisenhunt revisits Shipp’s status. If not, he too should go. I believe Shipp is a hard nose player who fills quite a few small roles. Except for one miscue in punt protection, he’s been solid when asked to play. He’ll never be a great player, but he knows the scheme and seems to always play hard.
Potential Help
The Cards would surely be outbid even if they wanted to sign Michael Turner. The drop off is pretty large after that. Fargas might be the best option in the Cards’ price range, though I would prefer to seek help in the draft. This will be a memorable draft for running backs. I wouldn’t move up, so forget McFadden. Mendenhall might be there when the Cards select. I am not a big fan of backs at this stage unless we are talking about a sure thing. I could accept taking Mendenhall at this point in the process, but it wouldn’t excite me. The guy who would excite me is Kevin Smith. He could last until round two if his workout is less than stellar. I would ignore the workout and grab him. I realize this is wishful thinking and he likely goes in round one. He is the real deal and again taking him in round one wouldn’t ruin my day. I just think it’s easier to get a good back later in the draft than to fill other needs. Allen Patrick is another player of interest to me. He could well be there in Round 3 and if so the Cards should grab him. He won’t burn up the combine unless things change, but he has the power needed to gain yards on his own. He is quick to the hole and that is critical for this line. Other than that he has good hands and is a decent receiver. He’s not the whole deal, but he could be part of it. I’ll have more suggestions near draft day.
Overall
This position did not make the Cards a better team this season. With their passing prowess, it should be easier to run. A better line would help, but immediate line help from the draft is unlikely. Graves says no big money will be spend in free agency, so a back who is quick to the hole and has good lower body strength is critical. If it was my call, I’d keep Shipp, look for a day one running back and look for an undrafted free agent as well
Posted in arizona cardinals
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Call me confused.
I respect any opinion Harry has to offer, but I’m going to respectfully disagree.
Edge indeed is no longer a superstar RB but I kinda think it’s crazy to dump Edge and suddenly Marcel Shipp becomes our starting back as we head into the draft.
I agree we need to address the position. However,I wouldn’t cut James even if I drafted Mendenhall, Smith, Jones , Charles, Stewart or anybody else. James role could be ruduced and diminished as the season ran on if the rookie blossomed.
Even if he did, I’d rather have Edge to fall back on in case of injury. I think it’s Arrington that doesn’t fill the need. We need a RB that compliments Edge ala Willie Parker.
2008 is not the year to dump Edge. 2009? Now we can talk.
complete agreement with slanidrac16, unless some real opportunity presents itself that isn’t foreseen, I see little change in this position this next year. I’m guessing someone is drafted and someone is cut after camp, I think Shipp will get cut depending on who the new face is, but only if the addition is stellar does Edge get moved out
Cutting the only proven RB is not a wise decision. Sure Edge is on the downhill side of his career. But he remains the most dependabe RB the Cardinals have had in the last thirty years.
Do the Cardinals need to make moves to improve the RB position - absolutely! And this is the offseason to do so.
But what you have suggested Harry is akin to cutting off a flawed nose to improve your looks. It simply will not provide the desired outcome.
Keep James, draft a viable replacement candidate and have them both for the 2008 season.
Harry, your draft stuff is always your best stuff.
And I think you nailed it on Edge and Arrington. Anybody who thinks Whisenhunt is going to go another year with Edge as his primary back isn’t reading or listening to the signals being sent by Whisenhunt, in his media addresses and Darren Urban, in his writing.
Edge is no dummy. He knows what is happening. Not long ago, Darren Urban commented on the likelihood that Edge and his agent may demand a confirmation from Whisenhunt on Edge’s status, before too much time goes by in this offseason.
Think you whiffed on Marcel Shipp. Age and severe injury have made him replaceable.
Ch ch changes are acomin’. And we sorely need them.
Harry,
thanks for your articles. I always enjoy reading them.
the key to improving our running game is to improve the OL. Hopefully the right side will improve with another year of experience. The left side needs to be improved through free agency. Replacing Wells seems to be the popular choice. Gandy is ok and not much more. If we can replace Wells through free agency and draft an OT for the future the running game will improve this year and in the future.
Edge fought like a junk yard dog for every yard he gained this year. It is very difficult to be successfully RB behind an average OL (at best) but Edge did it this year. RB should not be a high priority for us in the off seasonas we have greater needs to fill. Of course, if someone falls in to our lap during the draft we do need depth behind Edge and a future RB.
You don’t cut the only RB that the ARIZONA Cardinals has had which produced two 1,000+ yard seasons back to back. Especially when you do not have a back up.
In one sentence you talk about what a bust JJ Arrington is & how he cannot produce behind our line and in the next sentence you talk about bringing in a first day draft pick to take over the starting role.
Is it logical to think that a rookie RB can get over 1,000 yards behind Arizona’s current offensive line ? I don’t think it is. Plus there is a huge assumption that who the Cardinals draft would be able to carry the load in the NFL. So, far the draft record, especially as of late, for the Cardinals when it comes to running backs is pretty poor.
Edge is not going anywhere, THANK GOODNESS. Regardless if he is not a home run threat he still is producing a running game for the Cardinals, regardless if the OLine blocks or not.
If we want to save some money Marcell Shipp is our best bet. Cutting him would produce more extra cap room than cutting Edge.
I say go to a two back system and draft a RB to split time with Edge ala Taylor and Peterson in Minnesota.
Keep going tho. Great write up as usual, just differences in opinions
Edge stays next year with us drafting a RB this year. If the back can develop and be a homerun hitter, Edge is gone. I wouldn’t give Edge up right now when he does a very good job at pass blocking.
Arrington needs to go, he’s a huge bust at this point. If Shipp isn’t practicing hard, then him and that attitude need to go also. I wouldn’t mind signing a decent backup in the offseason and draft a RB in the first round. Let’s take Jonathon Stewart so we can see the Daily Show every Sunday!
If not Stewart, then it’s Aqib Talib at CB.