Comments on: Off to the Off-Season: Running backs

By: BigShtank

BigShtank — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:09:21 +0000

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.

By: Rugbymuffin

Rugbymuffin — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:38:29 +0000

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

By: David

David — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 03:56:33 +0000

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.

By: Skkorpion

Skkorpion — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:16:34 +0000

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.

By: CardLogic

CardLogic — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:02:23 +0000

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.

By: b8rtm8nn

b8rtm8nn — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:19:41 +0000

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

By: slanidrac16

slanidrac16 — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:54:14 +0000

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.