Edgerrin "Career Move" James watches Colts win it all

[Taco John]

Edge parties, watches friends play

Former Colts running back claims no frustration over missing out on Super Bowl

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- It's 5 a.m. a day before Super Bowl XLI and Edgerrin James is as fresh and enthusiastic as if he was about to play with his old teammates.

The former Indianapolis Colts running back is chillin' after three hours of clubbing at Spirits, a popular dancing nightspot at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Time for breakfast, but he blows it off to talk about his team's chances Sunday against the Chicago Bears at Dolphin Stadium.

"The Colts are still my team," said James, who ran for a franchise record 9,226 yards in a horseshoe helmet through 2005 before signing with Arizona last offseason. "I've been telling everybody that since midseason, it's the Colts' year."

A fan favorite known simply as Edge back in Indianapolis, he is known for his fun-loving lifestyle. So when the subject is broached about how much he would like to play in this game, he flashes those gold teeth and laughs.
"I'm having more fun now than the players," he said. "They have to get back for curfew."

He has met with several of his old buddies this week: receiver Reggie Wayne, defensive end Dwight Freeney, running back Dominic Rhodes and linebacker Cato June. The fun has to be early, before Edge Time usually gets started after midnight, because the players couldn't stay out too late.

James is asked about his season with Arizona, how the Cardinals flopped to a 5-11 record, coach Dennis Green got fired and he had to plug along behind a lousy line to gain 1,159 yards, 3.4 per carry.

He repeated his joke told to friends when they got together, "I'm loving life every day in Phoenix except for Sunday."

The wear and tear was brutal at times. But he credited his offseason strength and conditioning coach for keeping him strong.

"Don't worry. I got this covered," James said, tapping his chest. "I'm chillin'."

James will watch the Super Bowl at a private party.
Seemingly stating the obvious, the assumption is offered that he should be in this game, that he would be if the Colts hadn't let him go to free agency as a salary cap casualty.

"I'm having so much fun," he said. "You don't realize how much fun you can have as a spectator."

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070205/SPORTS03/702050396/1100

[Clockwork Orange]

I'm sure the Cardinals are just thrilled to see that kind of burning competitive spirit from the guy they just gave a boatload of money to.

[Killericon]

I'm sure the Cardinals are just thrilled to see that kind of burning competitive spirit from the guy they just gave a boatload of money to.

The way he dreads Sundays, that's got to be music to Wisenhunt's ears.

[Clockwork Orange]

The way he dreads Sundays, that's got to be music to Wisenhunt's ears.

If I were Wisenhunt, I'd seriously consider giving James his walking papers after reading this. It's not going to help change the culture of losing that surrounds the franchise if one of their highest paid players cares nothing about winning.

[watermock]

Heh...I would love to just pick up his salary and let Arizona foot the SB...

Better to just get fresh meat tho...he's been worked like a rented mule. He's chillin' after booking 11.5 million last year just in SB.

[cabronco]

He sure didnt look like the same player in AZ. Che-ching. I mean after the phat checks you want him to play too ?

[watermock]

He just needed a comb over..get off his cranium.

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/image.php?u=1&dateline=1170745431

Beezer. Hair restoration specialist.

[Taco John]

Who wants to play in a Superbowl with all those curfews and junk?

[BroncoBuff]

The way he dreads Sundays, that's got to be music to Wisenhunt's ears.

I agree that it seems strange, but I'm not sure he said anything that wrong. If he didn't hate Sundays, critics could say "he's comfortable with losing." They've won, what? 4 games and 5 games the last two years? That's horrible for a team "on the rise" when he signed - with Dennis Green, Kurt Warner, etc... that's not what he signed up for.

He "hates Sundays"? He better hate Sundays with the way they're going.

[dbfan21]

Edge parties, watches friends play

Former Colts running back claims no frustration over missing out on Super Bowl

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- It's 5 a.m. a day before Super Bowl XLI and Edgerrin James is as fresh and enthusiastic as if he was about to play with his old teammates.

The former Indianapolis Colts running back is chillin' after three hours of clubbing at Spirits, a popular dancing nightspot at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Time for breakfast, but he blows it off to talk about his team's chances Sunday against the Chicago Bears at Dolphin Stadium.

"The Colts are still my team," said James, who ran for a franchise record 9,226 yards in a horseshoe helmet through 2005 before signing with Arizona last offseason. "I've been telling everybody that since midseason, it's the Colts' year."

A fan favorite known simply as Edge back in Indianapolis, he is known for his fun-loving lifestyle. So when the subject is broached about how much he would like to play in this game, he flashes those gold teeth and laughs.
"I'm having more fun now than the players," he said. "They have to get back for curfew."

He has met with several of his old buddies this week: receiver Reggie Wayne, defensive end Dwight Freeney, running back Dominic Rhodes and linebacker Cato June. The fun has to be early, before Edge Time usually gets started after midnight, because the players couldn't stay out too late.

James is asked about his season with Arizona, how the Cardinals flopped to a 5-11 record, coach Dennis Green got fired and he had to plug along behind a lousy line to gain 1,159 yards, 3.4 per carry.

He repeated his joke told to friends when they got together, "I'm loving life every day in Phoenix except for Sunday."

The wear and tear was brutal at times. But he credited his offseason strength and conditioning coach for keeping him strong.

"Don't worry. I got this covered," James said, tapping his chest. "I'm chillin'."

James will watch the Super Bowl at a private party.
Seemingly stating the obvious, the assumption is offered that he should be in this game, that he would be if the Colts hadn't let him go to free agency as a salary cap casualty.

"I'm having so much fun," he said. "You don't realize how much fun you can have as a spectator."

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070205/SPORTS03/702050396/1100


Edge, you've been a spectator your WHOLE career! And as long as you're in Arizona, you'll always be a spectator! What an idiot.

[Orange_Beard]

The article should start out.........

"While sitting on a pile of cash....."

[alkemical]

Straight Cash Homey - Randy Moss

[bronco militia]

He repeated his joke told to friends when they got together, "I'm loving life every day in Phoenix except for Sunday."

HA HA

[Popps]

"Don't worry. I got this covered," James said, tapping his chest. "I'm chillin'."


I honestly thought this article was a joke. I scrolled down to the bottom, looking for TheOnion.com or something.

[alkemical]

So he plays for pay. I work for pay. I like the weekends more than the days i go to work....

It's not all about glory for these guys.


How many here go to work because they loooooove their jobs vs. how many go because they want paid....

[fontaine]

In the past ten years Arizona had just one 1000 yard rusher apart from Edge.

He's earned every cold hard cent given how he's had to fend of tacklers in the back field behind that non OL in Arizona.

I didn't think he'd survive in one piece, but he's proved me wrong. Well done Edge.

[Arkansas Bronco]

If I were Wisenhunt, I'd seriously consider giving James his walking papers after reading this. It's not going to help change the culture of losing that surrounds the franchise if one of their highest paid players cares nothing about winning.

Hold up there CO thats too easy, better thing to do is run him 30 times a game and wear out those knees first then release him. Sure this sounds cruel but Im not in the best of moods today.

[rbackfactory80]

Some people hold athletes to higher standards then they hold other people. Just like with any sample of the population, athletes either have the want or drive to be the best or take the money. When Edge signed with Arizona most people new what he wanted more.

[maven]

Not sure what's with all the flame against Edge in this thread. The Colts decided to pay Reggie Wayne instead of Edge. Edge decided to leave and AZ offered a nice contract. The guy is having fun during SB week. No doubt he would like to be on the field for the Colts this past week, but the team and Edge went in a different direction.

[alkemical]

Some people hold athletes to higher standards then they hold other people. Just like with any sample of the population, athletes either have the want or drive to be the best or take the money. When Edge signed with Arizona most people new what he wanted more.

exactly

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Not sure what's with all the flame against Edge in this thread. The Colts decided to pay Reggie Wayne instead of Edge. Edge decided to leave and AZ offered a nice contract. The guy is having fun during SB week. No doubt he would like to be on the field for the Colts this past week, but the team and Edge went in a different direction.

Agree and perhaps his remark about not enjoying Sunday has been mis interpeted. May he meant he didn't like losing on Sundays.

[broncosteven]

I need some grills.

[azbroncfan]

EJ was smart and took the money when only one team wanted to give it to him. He knew he was overrated running against Nickle D's because teams were more afraid of Pay me a ton and the passing attack.

[Bronx33]

It just shows ya where money gets in the way of a childhood dreams and how that just doesn't matter anymore, i swear if they would quit paying these guys so much we would see teams stay together longer and loyalty would actually mean something. Tough freaking shyt for Mr James though his bank account could really care less.

[RhymesayersDU]

Oh no! A guy decided to get paid more for his services, like any rational person would!

God, what a dumbass!

[Clockwork Orange]

Oh no! A guy decided to get paid more for his services, like any rational person would!

God, what a dumbass!

Congratulations on completely missing the point.

Heaven forbid that people expect a highly paid player to care about winning. Nah, let him collect his fat checks, average 3.4 yards per carry (he's always got the built it offensive line excuse, forget expecting him to every actually *gasp* make a play under less than ideal circumstances), talk about how he looks forward to every day except Sunday and how much he enjoys being a spectator during Super Bowl week. Much better to have no curfew than to actually be playing for a ring.

I'm sure he appreciates you and the rest of the apologists who stick up for his general lack of give a ****.

[RhymesayersDU]

Congratulations on completely missing the point.

Heaven forbid that people expect a highly paid player to care about winning. Nah, let him collect his fat checks, average 3.4 yards per carry (he's always got the built it offensive line excuse, forget expecting him to every actually *gasp* make a play under less than ideal circumstances), talk about how he looks forward to every day except Sunday and how much he enjoys being a spectator during Super Bowl week. Much better to have no curfew than to actually be playing for a ring.

I'm sure he appreciates you and the rest of the apologists who stick up for his general lack of give a ****.

I just don't get the hate when players change teams due to getting more money. Whether or not he cares, whether or not these were jokes, I have no idea.

But hating on a person just for changing teams, I don't understand that.

[Clockwork Orange]

I just don't get the hate when players change teams due to getting more money. Whether or not he cares, whether or not these were jokes, I have no idea.

But hating on a person just for changing teams, I don't understand that.

I don't give a rip that he changed teams or that he did it for more money. My comments were about his attitude.

[Pendejo]

I don't give a rip that he changed teams or that he did it for more money. My comments were about his attitude.

He's always had the same attitude. He's never tried to hide it. He's one player that has made no bones about it...he's after the moolah.

[Breck Bronc]

Agree and perhaps his remark about not enjoying Sunday has been mis interpeted. May he meant he didn't like losing on Sundays.The joke is about usually losing on Sunday with Arizona vs. usually winning with Indianapolis.

[Wes Mantooth]

The "U" produces another fine athlete.

[-Slap-]

He's always had the same attitude. He's never tried to hide it. He's one player that has made no bones about it...he's after the moolah.

True. He talked one time about how the whole offense was happy because he hit an incentive clause in his contract.

[alkemical]

Soooooo


Do you guys work because you love your job, or for pay?

I do it for pay honestly. I'm a whore, I admit it.

[Taco John]

Oh no! A guy decided to get paid more for his services, like any rational person would!

God, what a dumbass!


I turned down a job offer for more money a couple years back. I didn't want to move, and I didn't have confidence in the long term prospects of the company that wanted me to move. In the end, it turned out to be the right choice. They ended up disbanding the division, leaving a lot of folks high and dry.

The point: going for more money is not always the rational choice.

[labronx]

Not all players play because its a lifelong dream. Some play because they are gifted and in reality have no other way of making money. None of us has played in the NFL, I'm pretty sure once you a make it there you realize very quickly it's not all a dream, but a business. Business is Business. I mean look at Manning, the dude was all biz through the whole thing. He showed almost no emotions after the game, you could hardly tell he'd realize a lifelong dream. The Dude is a machine a business machine, programed like a pc.

[maven]

The point: going for more money is not always the rational choice.

Since we're talking about Edge and the NFL, players bounce around every season. This is nothing new.

[ludo21]

man that would suck to leave and ur team wins the SB, LOL

[Taco John]

Since we're talking about Edge and the NFL, players bounce around every season. This is nothing new.


Yeah, and there's such a thing as making a bad decision, even if you are in the NFL.

[El Guapo]

fact is, wisenhunt doesnt seem to care (in comparing his "care" level to previous years). He was always more interested in paying less for players and just taking in the league profits for himself.

[fontaine]

I turned down a job offer for more money a couple years back. I didn't want to move, and I didn't have confidence in the long term prospects of the company that wanted me to move. In the end, it turned out to be the right choice. They ended up disbanding the division, leaving a lot of folks high and dry.

The point: going for more money is not always the rational choice.

That's a nice story and all, and I'm glad it worked out for you but it has close to nothing to do with football.

Contracts have guaranteed money in them now and franchises aren't being disbanded.

It's more likely that a 3-13, 5-11 team will bounce back to make the playoffs ala The Saints, than "disbanding."

[chrisp]

What did everyone expect him to say? "yeah, it really sucks, i made the wrong decision, I wish i was back in indy." - How would that have looked?

Many top professional sportsmen have the competitve attitude that never allows them to say they have lost - as far as i can see Edge was just trying to say 'its all good' rather than admit he made a mistake.

And whatever you think of him, maintaining that positive frame of mind is going to be important if he is going to be of any use to Arizona next year.

Some of the comments are ambiguous - did he hate Sundays becuase he hates playing for losers, or does he hate Sundays becuase he just hates losing? Its easy for players to be misquoted or give out the wring impression with careless words.

Its easier for all of us, myself included, to admire the players who keep their mouth shut and just let the play do the talking, but ultimately whether they talk or not, all players know that its effort and production on the field on the day that really matters.

Only his coaches and teammates really know how much he is giving them on gameday, but somehow I don't think you get the kind of career the Edge has had without bringing 100% effort every play, every year.