Report: James says his days with Colts are over

guiseppewv · 02-03-2006, 09:54 AM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2317349

Quote:

Colts running back Edgerrin James told the Indianapolis Star he believes his playing days in Indianapolis are over.

"I don't see nothing happening,'' James told the newspaper Thursday night. "You can read between the lines and from the things I'm hearing, nothing's going to happen.

"And that's crazy, man. I'm part of the solution, I'm not part of the problem. Crazy, man."

James is one of four Colts starters that could become unrestricted free agents this year, along with receiver Reggie Wayne, linebacker David Thornton and defensive lineman Raheem Brock.

Colts general manager Bill Polian has said the team's offseason signing priorities are retaining Wayne and working out a contract extension for defensive end Dwight Freeney.

If the Colts do lose James, they will have a difficult time replacing him with a player of equal all-around skills, and might have to invest a high-round draft choice in a tailback or perhaps sign a veteran free agent. The former of those two is more likely.

The most accomplished reserve tailback on the roster is Dominic Rhodes, but he is hardly in the same class as James, and his talents aren't nearly as diverse.

A five-year veteran, Rhodes, 27, became the first undrafted free agent in modern NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards as a rookie, posting 1,104 yards in 2001, when he replaced James after the Colts' starter required knee surgery to repair a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament. But in the four seasons since, Rhodes has totaled only 529 yards, and he missed the entire 2002 season with an ACL tear.

Rhodes is under contract for 2006, at a base salary of $550,000, but he is due a $1.5 million roster bonus next month, and there has been some speculation the Colts will not pay it.

James has taken exception to his name rarely, if ever, being mentioned among those priorities and told the paper he'll see who wants his services when the free agent signing period opens March 3.

"Maybe I'll get to a situation where somebody appreciates me," James told the Star. "I'm going to always be a ballplayer. You know I've got game. You can't knock what I do.

"I'm a running back like Walter Payton, somebody who played a long time. I'm in that mold ... guys who played 12, 13 years and always were consistent."

James, in his seventh NFL season, rushed for 1,506 yards and 13 touchdowns on 360 carries this past season and is headed to the Pro Bowl after his fourth 1,500-yard season.

The Colts were 3-13 the season before drafting James with the fourth overall pick in 1999. Indianapolis then posted a 13-3 record in James' rookie season, in which he won the first of two straight rushing titles.

"At the end of the day I can say I did my part," James told the paper. "I did what they asked me to do. At the end of the day the truth will be seen and everybody will see what kind of player I am and how important of a player I am.

"For somebody else to come in and do what I did, it would be tough. Look at the difference when I'm there and when I'm not there. That's all you got to do."

Since 1999, the Colts are 77-35 -- 70-26 when he plays, 7-9 when he doesn't, according to the Star.

The Colts had no comment on James' statements, the Star reported.

DarkFury · 02-03-2006, 11:39 AM

/me waves as he says goodbye...

Grimm · 02-03-2006, 11:53 AM

A suposidly colledge educated man speaking english that I would expect from a 8th grade dropout is upset that he is gonna get let go?
Perhaps if he spent more time impoving his mind he would be more valuable to a team.

Bires · 02-03-2006, 12:27 PM

attending college does not equal being educated

MikeD · 02-03-2006, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimm

A suposidly colledge educated man speaking english that I would expect from a 8th grade dropout is upset that he is gonna get let go?
Perhaps if he spent more time impoving his mind he would be more valuable to a team.

Ehhh, he went to "The U". That explains everything...

zenbooty · 02-03-2006, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimm

A suposidly colledge educated man speaking english that I would expect from a 8th grade dropout is upset that he is gonna get let go?
Perhaps if he spent more time impoving his mind he would be more valuable to a team.

Running back ain't the most cerebral position.

Take ball,
see hole,
hit hole,
run!

Hey, I just read that over. He doesn't sound all that inarticulate to me

.

guiseppewv · 02-03-2006, 01:41 PM

I didn't think he sounded *that* bad.

attgig · 02-03-2006, 02:45 PM

i don't really care about what he said...

fact is, he's definitely outta indy...and he's a freakin GREAT running back.

where's he headed?
any ideas?

there was a lot of talk about the phins when ricky left, but now he's back, and they got another. but with those florida ties, wouldn't be outta the question to go to Jax and take over the oft-injured taylor.

otherwise, detroit seems to be wanting to make major moves. i could see him going there and drafting a QB.

Jets might want to cut curtis martin, and pick this guy up.

maybe the vikes? no clear starter...they could use help.

those are the teams that kinda pop out at me.

ialsohaveadream · 02-03-2006, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by attgig

maybe the vikes? no clear starter...they could use help.

those are the teams that kinda pop out at me.

Vikes could use him most. Whether they realize that, though

I can't believe Tampa didn't go after him last summer when he was available.

I love Edge. He's not the most eloquent speaker, but the man is loyal to the end and plays hard as hell. Plus, he's helping The U get more recruits.

zenbooty · 02-03-2006, 03:58 PM

Pats should sign him

.

I think Dillon needs some motivation, anyway.

TofuNinja · 02-04-2006, 12:13 AM

The Niners could sure use a good RB

I would love to see this guy on my favorite team

He could be the big weapon they need... amongst other things cough cough o line cough cough

bachviet · 02-04-2006, 08:21 AM

Indy is going to lose the balance attack if James leaves.

zero2dash · 02-06-2006, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bachviet

Indy is going to lose the balance attack if James leaves.

GL to Manning and the pass game if they lose their running game/James leaves. Without a dangerous running game, the opposing D will pass block and leave the running field alone and Manning will have a lot of problems.

yippiekiyeh · 02-12-2006, 02:36 AM

Without a balanced attack, you basically saw what Manning is going to seeing all next year, exactly like how the steelers did him, sacks, sacks and more sacks.

02-03-2006, 11:39 AM	#2
DarkFury Secretary of the Navy Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Chillin' N Da 'Hood Posts: 34,997	/me waves as he says goodbye... __________________ DarkFury's Pimptopia - Don't Hate the Playa, Hate the Game! Home of the Original OG Pimp (accept NO imitations)

02-03-2006, 12:27 PM	#4
Bires Admiral Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 5,064	attending college does not equal being educated __________________ Five years...

02-03-2006, 02:45 PM	#8
attgig Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: the burbs of baltimore Posts: 11,924	i don't really care about what he said... fact is, he's definitely outta indy...and he's a freakin GREAT running back. where's he headed? any ideas? there was a lot of talk about the phins when ricky left, but now he's back, and they got another. but with those florida ties, wouldn't be outta the question to go to Jax and take over the oft-injured taylor. otherwise, detroit seems to be wanting to make major moves. i could see him going there and drafting a QB. Jets might want to cut curtis martin, and pick this guy up. maybe the vikes? no clear starter...they could use help. those are the teams that kinda pop out at me. __________________

02-04-2006, 12:13 AM	#11
TofuNinja Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: May 2000 Location: On Serenity Posts: 3,503	The Niners could sure use a good RB I would love to see this guy on my favorite team He could be the big weapon they need... amongst other things cough cough o line cough cough __________________ "To search for the old is to understand the new." -Gichin Funakoshi- ===>>>LABELED CANTACUZENE'S DUMBEST PERSON ALIVE!!!<<<===

02-04-2006, 08:21 AM	#12
bachviet What's Da Pho*? Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SoCal (714) Posts: 13,296	Indy is going to lose the balance attack if James leaves. __________________ Dell Dimension 9200 \| Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.4GHz) \| 4x1GB DDR2 \| 256MB nVidia GeForce 8800GT Dell Studio 17 \| Intel Core i7-720QM (1.6GHz) \| 2x2GB DDR3 1066MHz \| 1GHz ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 Intel P4-C 3.0GHz \| ECS 865PE-A \| 3x512MB PC3200 \| 128MB PNY GeForce 6600GT

02-03-2006, 11:53 AM	#3
Grimm 100% Pure Evil Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 7,861	A suposidly colledge educated man speaking english that I would expect from a 8th grade dropout is upset that he is gonna get let go? Perhaps if he spent more time impoving his mind he would be more valuable to a team.

02-03-2006, 01:41 PM	#7
guiseppewv Admiral Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: East coast Posts: 7,116	I didn't think he sounded that bad.

02-03-2006, 03:58 PM	#10
zenbooty Admiral Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Prime Material Plane Posts: 7,486	Pats should sign him . I think Dillon needs some motivation, anyway.

02-12-2006, 02:36 AM	#14
yippiekiyeh A Friend of a Friend Join Date: May 2001 Location: WESTSIDE! Posts: 1,673	Without a balanced attack, you basically saw what Manning is going to seeing all next year, exactly like how the steelers did him, sacks, sacks and more sacks. __________________ Distributed.Net I'm Trying this blogger thang...

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