Edge - Is his "Sleeper" status value going down? (1 Viewer)

[tatanka1313]

Edgerrin James has had some intriguing possibilities this year. He is a 30 year old "highly talented" running back that has run behind a subpar offensive line since leaving Indianapolis. According to early reports in the summer, the cards greatly improved their OLine getting an A+ for improvement in some publications. This makes getting Edgerrin James in the third round or beyond a sleeper pick.

Now, here is the big problem that has surfaced this week. This vaulted Oline that the Cards apparently have improved this year has endured quite a few setbacks. Quoting from the Footballguys.com Training Camp Update August 6th, "...the Cardinals signed free agent OT Kelly Butler and released rookie free agent "Thaddeus Coleman. To cause further concern for the Cardinals line, center Al Johnson had surgery on Friday to clean out his problematic left knee." and here is the most important statement: "The team hopes he can return for the regular season..." !

I know there are quite a few Edge haters out there, but he has some potential left if the oline is improved. However, this report is sounding like the new and improved oline is going to be worse than last year. Does anyone have some thoughts about the Arizona oline and some perspective on how this relates to Edge's value?

 

[Marc Levin]

Yes, center injuries are a concern.

But, IIRC, their starter is expected back by the second game of the regular season.

Edge may start slow, but you may get some good value there after the bye week, when they hit the meat of the season, facing St Lou twice, and S.F.

 

[burd]

idk ... there probably is a lot of worry about the O-line. Supposedly, Warner didn't get any snaps last night because the coaching staff was afraid to put him behind a patchwork O-line. if this is true, this can't be good for Edge .... or the rest of the team. I was really thinking of picking up Leinert if he falls back a few rounds, but now i might pass.

 

[FFdork]

I don't follow the Arizona O-line closely, but if they made a bunch of moves to shore up the line and now one of them is hurt (but may be there at the beginning of the season), how does this translate into "worse than last year?"

The other thing you quoted was a rookie free agent getting cut. That can't have been one of the important parts of the o-line.

Were there other things you left out?

 

[Marc Levin]

Both the starting and b/u C are out for the rest of the preseason, and the b/u is seriously injured.

They have been shuffling players around to find a mix that is right.

 

[sholditch]

After last night I am more concerned about Hightower taking over after Edge averages 3.3 ypc for the first 8 games.

 

[T Bell]

Grimm will get it straightened out, but injuries to starters are going to be a problem for just about any line at least short term.

 

[tatanka1313]

I don't follow the Arizona O-line closely, but if they made a bunch of moves to shore up the line and now one of them is hurt (but may be there at the beginning of the season), how does this translate into "worse than last year?"

The other thing you quoted was a rookie free agent getting cut. That can't have been one of the important parts of the o-line.

Were there other things you left out?

I agree the rookie free agent is a bit extraneous. The center, however, is not. There are other reports of problems with the oline, but I don't want to list them as they are rumor. The most important problem is the center being out. The reports were ambiguous about his status: "The team hopes he can return for the regular season." That does not necessarily mean "beginning of the season". That is potentially a huge problem.

 

[PahtyTom]

his #s last year are pretty much his upside. He is not a breakaway threat and has never been a great GL back (and might not even be the GL back this year). Add in another year older off another year with a ton of carries and another bad OL, and I don't see how he is a sleeper.

 

[Zoomanji]

After last night I am more concerned about Hightower taking over after Edge averages 3.3 ypc for the first 8 games.

Why so Hightower can average 3.3 ypc instead?His TD was a walk. I'm not worried about him. I'm worried about the line blocking so they can run and giving either QB a couple seconds to throw the ball

 

[TheFanatic]

After last night I am more concerned about Hightower taking over after Edge averages 3.3 ypc for the first 8 games.

Why so Hightower can average 3.3 ypc instead?His TD was a walk. I'm not worried about him. I'm worried about the line blocking so they can run and giving either QB a couple seconds to throw the ball

That TD run brought down his YPC to 4.6. Before that run he was at 5.5 YPC. People can knock Hightower, but he outperformed Ray Rice, Forte and Kevin Smith last night...

 

[T Bell]

After last night I am more concerned about Hightower taking over after Edge averages 3.3 ypc for the first 8 games.

Why so Hightower can average 3.3 ypc instead?His TD was a walk. I'm not worried about him. I'm worried about the line blocking so they can run and giving either QB a couple seconds to throw the ball

That TD run brought down his YPC to 4.6. Before that run he was at 5.5 YPC. People can knock Hightower, but he outperformed Ray Rice, Forte and Kevin Smith last night...

Was he playing 2nd stringers? 3rd stringers? I honestly don't know.

 

[TheFanatic]

After last night I am more concerned about Hightower taking over after Edge averages 3.3 ypc for the first 8 games.

Why so Hightower can average 3.3 ypc instead?His TD was a walk. I'm not worried about him. I'm worried about the line blocking so they can run and giving either QB a couple seconds to throw the ball

That TD run brought down his YPC to 4.6. Before that run he was at 5.5 YPC. People can knock Hightower, but he outperformed Ray Rice, Forte and Kevin Smith last night...

Was he playing 2nd stringers? 3rd stringers? I honestly don't know.

Against the first string. Edge had 2 carries for 5 yards and came out and Hightower came in...

 

[Zoomanji]

After last night I am more concerned about Hightower taking over after Edge averages 3.3 ypc for the first 8 games.

Why so Hightower can average 3.3 ypc instead?His TD was a walk. I'm not worried about him. I'm worried about the line blocking so they can run and giving either QB a couple seconds to throw the ball

That TD run brought down his YPC to 4.6. Before that run he was at 5.5 YPC. People can knock Hightower, but he outperformed Ray Rice, Forte and Kevin Smith last night...

It was the 1st pre-season game.

 

[TheFanatic]

After last night I am more concerned about Hightower taking over after Edge averages 3.3 ypc for the first 8 games.

Why so Hightower can average 3.3 ypc instead?His TD was a walk. I'm not worried about him. I'm worried about the line blocking so they can run and giving either QB a couple seconds to throw the ball

That TD run brought down his YPC to 4.6. Before that run he was at 5.5 YPC. People can knock Hightower, but he outperformed Ray Rice, Forte and Kevin Smith last night...

It was the 1st pre-season game.

Yeap. It was the first preseason game for all of them. I'm not going to base my drafts on a single preseason game but it's the start of my analysis and when I go into my final draft on the 23rd I will have a few more games under my belt. If they go the way of these games, Hightower will vault up my draft board...

 

[Marc Levin]

1) who is knocking Hightower?

2) as I mentioned, Edge is INfamous for leaving preseason games early - he deep down in his gut hates them and will have 2 carries 5 yard type statlines till the season begins

3) Hightower's success hurts the other back ups' value - NOT EDGE.

In fact, Edge's value may be even better since you can back him up with Hightower and ignore the other backs (whereas before it was a cluster for who was Edge's immediate backup.

 

[LawFitz]

LOL at No Burst James being a sleeper. If 22 carries for 65 yards is your thing, then by all means take the bum.

This will be a full blown RBBC by midseason. Forget about the burst Hightower displayed last night. The thing that impressed me the most about his was the blitz pickups. I was shocked by the kid's blocking. Edge owners be very afraid.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

LOL at No Burst James being a sleeper. If 22 carries for 65 yards is your thing, then by all means take the bum.

This comment is ridiculous..You are dismissing the whole season where he stayed healthy looked strong,and ran for 1222 yds, to focus on one pre-season game, and now he's a bum.

 

[hitman2]

I have already stated in here that I like Hightower a lot.

I'm not going to rant about last night's game.

He didn't flop, he didn't go crazy.

He did well. Great.

HOWEVER, Edge owners SHOULD be concerned with Edge admitting that he and Hightower will be a great 1-2 punch. I like hearing that.

__________

(Rotoworld) Tim Hightower had 23 yards on five carries and a TD and two catches for 11 yards as Arizona lost its preseason opener to New Orleans 24-10.

Analysis: A strong showing from the fifth-round rookie. We've got a ways to go, but Hightower looks much more capable of making an impact than J.J. Arrington, who had a bad drop Thursday and saw only two carries. Interestingly, Edgerrin James said during an in-game interview that he thinks he and Hightower will be a potent "1-2 punch" this season.

 

[hephner]

After last night I am more concerned about Hightower taking over after Edge averages 3.3 ypc for the first 8 games.

Why so Hightower can average 3.3 ypc instead?His TD was a walk. I'm not worried about him. I'm worried about the line blocking so they can run and giving either QB a couple seconds to throw the ball

That TD run brought down his YPC to 4.6. Before that run he was at 5.5 YPC. People can knock Hightower, but he outperformed Ray Rice, Forte and Kevin Smith last night...

It was the 1st pre-season game.

Yeap. It was the first preseason game for all of them. I'm not going to base my drafts on a single preseason game but it's the start of my analysis and when I go into my final draft on the 23rd I will have a few more games under my belt. If they go the way of these games, Hightower will vault up my draft board...

Really? That's all it takes to vault a guy up your draft board is his preseason performance? And that's the start of your analysis? What about his college resume? Scout analysis? Heck, NFL draft position? Talent?You know who led the NFL in rushing in last year's preseason...Thomas Clayton. Who? Yes, he's a practice squad player for the 49ers.

 

[LawFitz]

LOL at No Burst James being a sleeper. If 22 carries for 65 yards is your thing, then by all means take the bum.

This comment is ridiculous..You are dismissing the whole season where he stayed healthy looked strong,and ran for 1222 yds, to focus on one pre-season game, and now he's a bum.

The guy got 1222 yds on how many carries? And what happens when he loses touches to the sneaky hot shot rook especially at the goal line?I was down on Edge well before the Hightower hype but now I wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole given where he's being drafted. Watch him run. Dude left his burst in Indy. He's still strong and tough but 3 yards and a cloud of dust is not the type of guy I like as a starting RB for my team.

 

[TheFanatic]

After last night I am more concerned about Hightower taking over after Edge averages 3.3 ypc for the first 8 games.

Why so Hightower can average 3.3 ypc instead?His TD was a walk. I'm not worried about him. I'm worried about the line blocking so they can run and giving either QB a couple seconds to throw the ball

That TD run brought down his YPC to 4.6. Before that run he was at 5.5 YPC. People can knock Hightower, but he outperformed Ray Rice, Forte and Kevin Smith last night...

It was the 1st pre-season game.

Yeap. It was the first preseason game for all of them. I'm not going to base my drafts on a single preseason game but it's the start of my analysis and when I go into my final draft on the 23rd I will have a few more games under my belt. If they go the way of these games, Hightower will vault up my draft board...

Really? That's all it takes to vault a guy up your draft board is his preseason performance? And that's the start of your analysis? What about his college resume? Scout analysis? Heck, NFL draft position? Talent?You know who led the NFL in rushing in last year's preseason...Thomas Clayton. Who? Yes, he's a practice squad player for the 49ers.

The guy is a 5th round pick. He had a less than stellar college career. It was better than 90% of the rest of the RB's in the country, but he will have to be one of those guys that gets to the pros and out of no where tears it up because most 5th round RB's never see the pro-bowl. So I rely on reports from columnists and reporters who see these people. That put the guy on my radar. Looking good in practice and looking good in a game are two different things. In the games I can get a chance to see what he can do...I liked what I saw. Looking forward to seeing more of this kids games...Most 5th round picks aren't high on anyone's draft board. But when they start playing well in preseason then they move up. That's generally how things work.

And please do not mock my FFB knowledge. Here is a brief description of my main league:

Brief Summary of the BSFFL

The league is a 10 man dynasty/salary cap league. We have looked to expand the league to 12 owners but can’t find two more owners that can commit enough time to the league. See, this league has a salary cap, player contracts, signing bonuses, no trade clauses, restricted free agency (Franchise and Transition tags), draft pick compensation, front loaded contracts, back loaded contracts. There is an auction with blind bidding on restricted FA’s and open bidding on UFA’s and a draft for rookies and FA’s that are not called out on FA night. There is even a Home Field Advantage rule that allows for a team with HF to start two players at the same position but only the higher scorer of the two is added to his total for the week.

Trades in this league require a calculator, accountant, a team of lawyers and an abacus. The rule book is over 30 pages long. I wrote an article about it for FBG a few years ago which can be seen here:

http://footballguys.com/thomas_dynastyofitsown.cfm

I won this league last year going 12-2 and crushing my opponents in the playoffs. So please don’t mock my FFB knowledge. Go back to your redraft or keep 3 league and try to tell yourself you can hang in this league….

Also, I am in Hyper Active 1 (Screaming Beagles) which is comprised of some of the best this board has to offer. In the first two years of the league I have gone 18-6 (9-3 each year) which is best in the league over the first two years.

 

[Marc Levin]

I have already stated in here that I like Hightower a lot. I'm not going to rant about last night's game. He didn't flop, he didn't go crazy. He did well. Great. HOWEVER, Edge owners SHOULD be concerned with Edge admitting that he and Hightower will be a great 1-2 punch. I like hearing that. __________(Rotoworld) Tim Hightower had 23 yards on five carries and a TD and two catches for 11 yards as Arizona lost its preseason opener to New Orleans 24-10.Analysis: A strong showing from the fifth-round rookie. We've got a ways to go, but Hightower looks much more capable of making an impact than J.J. Arrington, who had a bad drop Thursday and saw only two carries. Interestingly, Edgerrin James said during an in-game interview that he thinks he and Hightower will be a potent "1-2 punch" this season.

In that same interview, Edge also said he pushes himself every day to take down the next player on the rushing list. Edge has internal motivation for stats - if the rook starts taking his touches, he will suddenly find a new fire in the belly. Hightower is good for Edge, not bad for him.Hightower is bad for anyone hoping to invest in JJ Arrington.

 

[TheFanatic]

I have already stated in here that I like Hightower a lot. I'm not going to rant about last night's game. He didn't flop, he didn't go crazy. He did well. Great. HOWEVER, Edge owners SHOULD be concerned with Edge admitting that he and Hightower will be a great 1-2 punch. I like hearing that. __________(Rotoworld) Tim Hightower had 23 yards on five carries and a TD and two catches for 11 yards as Arizona lost its preseason opener to New Orleans 24-10.Analysis: A strong showing from the fifth-round rookie. We've got a ways to go, but Hightower looks much more capable of making an impact than J.J. Arrington, who had a bad drop Thursday and saw only two carries. Interestingly, Edgerrin James said during an in-game interview that he thinks he and Hightower will be a potent "1-2 punch" this season.

In that same interview, Edge also said he pushes himself every day to take down the next player on the rushing list. Edge has internal motivation for stats - if the rook starts taking his touches, he will suddenly find a new fire in the belly. Hightower is good for Edge, not bad for him.Hightower is bad for anyone hoping to invest in JJ Arrington.

Edge also doesn't like to carry at the goal line. He knows that getting pounded at the goal line will shorten his career. If this kid performs well, then I see Edge's TD total go down even more than last year.

 

[Marc Levin]

I have already stated in here that I like Hightower a lot. I'm not going to rant about last night's game. He didn't flop, he didn't go crazy. He did well. Great. HOWEVER, Edge owners SHOULD be concerned with Edge admitting that he and Hightower will be a great 1-2 punch. I like hearing that. __________(Rotoworld) Tim Hightower had 23 yards on five carries and a TD and two catches for 11 yards as Arizona lost its preseason opener to New Orleans 24-10.Analysis: A strong showing from the fifth-round rookie. We've got a ways to go, but Hightower looks much more capable of making an impact than J.J. Arrington, who had a bad drop Thursday and saw only two carries. Interestingly, Edgerrin James said during an in-game interview that he thinks he and Hightower will be a potent "1-2 punch" this season.

In that same interview, Edge also said he pushes himself every day to take down the next player on the rushing list. Edge has internal motivation for stats - if the rook starts taking his touches, he will suddenly find a new fire in the belly. Hightower is good for Edge, not bad for him.Hightower is bad for anyone hoping to invest in JJ Arrington.

Edge also doesn't like to carry at the goal line. He knows that getting pounded at the goal line will shorten his career. If this kid performs well, then I see Edge's TD total go down even more than last year.

Below 6 or 7?? I don't think so.But if Hightower shows a better nose for the end zone, then hoping for 8+ this year from Edge is out.

 

[BigRed]

Dude left his burst in Indy.

lol - he never had any real "burst." But keep ripping on him - maybe my league's owners will buy all this and I'll get him cheap.oops wait, that's what you're trying to do aren't you, sorry

 

[massraider]

I have already stated in here that I like Hightower a lot. I'm not going to rant about last night's game. He didn't flop, he didn't go crazy. He did well. Great. HOWEVER, Edge owners SHOULD be concerned with Edge admitting that he and Hightower will be a great 1-2 punch. I like hearing that. __________(Rotoworld) Tim Hightower had 23 yards on five carries and a TD and two catches for 11 yards as Arizona lost its preseason opener to New Orleans 24-10.Analysis: A strong showing from the fifth-round rookie. We've got a ways to go, but Hightower looks much more capable of making an impact than J.J. Arrington, who had a bad drop Thursday and saw only two carries. Interestingly, Edgerrin James said during an in-game interview that he thinks he and Hightower will be a potent "1-2 punch" this season.

In that same interview, Edge also said he pushes himself every day to take down the next player on the rushing list. Edge has internal motivation for stats - if the rook starts taking his touches, he will suddenly find a new fire in the belly. Hightower is good for Edge, not bad for him.Hightower is bad for anyone hoping to invest in JJ Arrington.

Edge also doesn't like to carry at the goal line. He knows that getting pounded at the goal line will shorten his career. If this kid performs well, then I see Edge's TD total go down even more than last year.

Below 6 or 7?? I don't think so.But if Hightower shows a better nose for the end zone, then hoping for 8+ this year from Edge is out.

You think it's a concern that Hightower will vulture TDs from Edge?Wow.

 

[TheFanatic]

I have already stated in here that I like Hightower a lot. I'm not going to rant about last night's game. He didn't flop, he didn't go crazy. He did well. Great. HOWEVER, Edge owners SHOULD be concerned with Edge admitting that he and Hightower will be a great 1-2 punch. I like hearing that. __________(Rotoworld) Tim Hightower had 23 yards on five carries and a TD and two catches for 11 yards as Arizona lost its preseason opener to New Orleans 24-10.Analysis: A strong showing from the fifth-round rookie. We've got a ways to go, but Hightower looks much more capable of making an impact than J.J. Arrington, who had a bad drop Thursday and saw only two carries. Interestingly, Edgerrin James said during an in-game interview that he thinks he and Hightower will be a potent "1-2 punch" this season.

In that same interview, Edge also said he pushes himself every day to take down the next player on the rushing list. Edge has internal motivation for stats - if the rook starts taking his touches, he will suddenly find a new fire in the belly. Hightower is good for Edge, not bad for him.Hightower is bad for anyone hoping to invest in JJ Arrington.

Edge also doesn't like to carry at the goal line. He knows that getting pounded at the goal line will shorten his career. If this kid performs well, then I see Edge's TD total go down even more than last year.

Below 6 or 7?? I don't think so.But if Hightower shows a better nose for the end zone, then hoping for 8+ this year from Edge is out.

You think it's a concern that Hightower will vulture TDs from Edge?Wow.

You should be because Edge vultures TD's from Edge. He pulls himself at the goal line. Someone is going to get those carries and it won't be Shipp (sailed) and Arrington hasn't shown he can do it...

 

[massraider]

I have already stated in here that I like Hightower a lot. I'm not going to rant about last night's game. He didn't flop, he didn't go crazy. He did well. Great. HOWEVER, Edge owners SHOULD be concerned with Edge admitting that he and Hightower will be a great 1-2 punch. I like hearing that. __________(Rotoworld) Tim Hightower had 23 yards on five carries and a TD and two catches for 11 yards as Arizona lost its preseason opener to New Orleans 24-10.Analysis: A strong showing from the fifth-round rookie. We've got a ways to go, but Hightower looks much more capable of making an impact than J.J. Arrington, who had a bad drop Thursday and saw only two carries. Interestingly, Edgerrin James said during an in-game interview that he thinks he and Hightower will be a potent "1-2 punch" this season.

In that same interview, Edge also said he pushes himself every day to take down the next player on the rushing list. Edge has internal motivation for stats - if the rook starts taking his touches, he will suddenly find a new fire in the belly. Hightower is good for Edge, not bad for him.Hightower is bad for anyone hoping to invest in JJ Arrington.

Edge also doesn't like to carry at the goal line. He knows that getting pounded at the goal line will shorten his career. If this kid performs well, then I see Edge's TD total go down even more than last year.

Below 6 or 7?? I don't think so.But if Hightower shows a better nose for the end zone, then hoping for 8+ this year from Edge is out.

You think it's a concern that Hightower will vulture TDs from Edge?Wow.

You should be because Edge vultures TD's from Edge. He pulls himself at the goal line. Someone is going to get those carries and it won't be Shipp (sailed) and Arrington hasn't shown he can do it...

Fine, but there's a difference between Edge pulling himself, and suggesting that Hightower will force the change.

 

[Federal]

Edgerrin James has had some intriguing possibilities this year. He is a 30 year old "highly talented" running back that has run behind a subpar offensive line since leaving Indianapolis. According to early reports in the summer, the cards greatly improved their OLine getting an A+ for improvement in some publications. This makes getting Edgerrin James in the third round or beyond a sleeper pick. Now, here is the big problem that has surfaced this week. This vaulted Oline that the Cards apparently have improved this year has endured quite a few setbacks. Quoting from the Footballguys.com Training Camp Update August 6th, "...the Cardinals signed free agent OT Kelly Butler and released rookie free agent "Thaddeus Coleman. To cause further concern for the Cardinals line, center Al Johnson had surgery on Friday to clean out his problematic left knee." and here is the most important statement: "The team hopes he can return for the regular season..." !I know there are quite a few Edge haters out there, but he has some potential left if the oline is improved. However, this report is sounding like the new and improved oline is going to be worse than last year. Does anyone have some thoughts about the Arizona oline and some perspective on how this relates to Edge's value?

First C Al Johnson should be back by the end of the preseason, Lyle Sendlein is actually a pretty decent reserve if the ijury goes longer.The O-Line isn't new and improved. The reason it is being touted is because it is the exact same set of starters they had last year. This never happens in AZ, the o-line is in a constant state of flux, it is the consistency that is being celebrated. Last year they had a lot of 2-3 game injuries, had to move guys around a lot, and they didn't get to play together as much as they would have liked. The right side started a rookie and a 2nd year guy and they were never able to communicate effectively. The idea this year is a healthy returning group made up of the same players will lead to greater production. That's great if they can stay healthy, but they have next to zero depth. Elton Brown revived his career and is an acceptable T/G reserve. Lyle Sendlein can fill in at Center (which he will do for Al Johnson for the remainder of the preseason) and 7th round pick Brandon Keith has really come on as of late. After that the Cards are picking guys up off the street to fill out their o-line depth. While they can survive a single injury at a time, multiple injuries will destroy any hopes of respectable production from this unit.

 

[LawFitz]

Dude left his burst in Indy.

lol - he never had any real "burst." But keep ripping on him - maybe my league's owners will buy all this and I'll get him cheap.

oops wait, that's what you're trying to do aren't you, sorry

Go back and watch his pre-ACL tear seasons in Indy or even better the Hurricane Bowl game against UCLA his last year in college and tell me he had no burst back then. Edge was amazing. He's a shell of that former self now.Like I said, if you're okay with 22 for 65 and no scores have at it.

And please don't insult me with a claim that I am being intellectually dishonest here. You might as well just call me a ##### bag because lying on this board to try to scare off potential suitors in your league is incredibly lame.

 

[David Yudkin]

Those that are considering Edge are not taking him because they hope for 70 yard TD scampers. They are taking him because he is a bell cow and will get the ball A TON. Whether he has a 3.3, 3.6, or any other ypc is not why anyone should want him. You want him because he gets the ball.

He's averaged 1400 yfs and 6.5 TD in Arizona. You know you are going to get something similar. If you are not happy with 85-90 yards per game and a TD every 2-3 games, then don't take him.

Just like I said yesterday about Thomas Jones. If you have an early pick and get a stud RB, go WR-WR, and then Edge in the 4th or 5th, you are golden. You won't need Edge to have 30 point weeks.

 

[David Yudkin]

Like I said, if you're okay with 22 for 65 and no scores have at it.

That's 6.5 fantasy points scored.# of times Edge scored 6.5 or fewer points in 2007: 0# of times Edge scored 6.5 or fewer points in 2006: 2# of times Edge has scored 10 or more points in 32 games in ARI: 17What else ya got?

 

[hitman2]

Fine, but there's a difference between Edge pulling himself, and suggesting that Hightower will force the change.

Arrington = drowned rat Shipp = sailed (I love that one!)Hightower = 5'11", 224 lbs and scored 23 TD's last year (plus 1 last night). He has a nose for the zone. Edge has scored 6 and 7 rushing TD's for ARZ. He topped 10 only 3 times in his career. He has never been a huge goalline guy, has he? Edge is already admitting that they're a great 1-2 punch. IMHO ...Hightower = short yardage and goalline this year. Maybe not every time, but he'll get many chances there. I'm no weatherman, but I can tell there's a storm coming by the clouds. This one seems obvious to me.

 

[Federal]

There is no real reason to expect vastly different numbers than last year from Edge in 2008. If anything, I would project slight increases in rushing and receiving yards while taking a hit on TD production.

With Leinart at the helm, the team won't be the gun slinging passing yards monsters they were a year ago. Returning all of their starters on offense should lead to continuity, and less large deficits in the second half. The Defense has improved it's DL depth, added a pass rush, and with the additions of Antrel at safety and DRC at nickel corner, Cardinal games should be closer and lower scoring.

Arizona is also incorporating some zone blocking schemes at the the request of Edgerrin James, that is what he was comfortable with in Indy. They are also making an effort to use him as a receiver more this year, but it doesn't sound like that is working out to well.

This is pure speculation, but I think Hightower will be the man once they cross the 20, vulturing TD's from Edge. I still think he will be productive, much in the same way he was last year, I just wouldn't expect a lot more or a lot less.

 

[massraider]

Fine, but there's a difference between Edge pulling himself, and suggesting that Hightower will force the change.

Arrington = drowned rat Shipp = sailed (I love that one!)Hightower = 5'11", 224 lbs and scored 23 TD's last year (plus 1 last night). He has a nose for the zone. Edge has scored 6 and 7 rushing TD's for ARZ. He topped 10 only 3 times in his career. He has never been a huge goalline guy, has he? Edge is already admitting that they're a great 1-2 punch. IMHO ...Hightower = short yardage and goalline this year. Maybe not every time, but he'll get many chances there. I'm no weatherman, but I can tell there's a storm coming by the clouds. This one seems obvious to me.

Edge only scored 7 times last year, it's true. And every other back on Arizona scored: 1 rushing TD. Total.

 

[LawFitz]

Like I said, if you're okay with 22 for 65 and no scores have at it.

That's 6.5 fantasy points scored.# of times Edge scored 6.5 or fewer points in 2007: 0# of times Edge scored 6.5 or fewer points in 2006: 2# of times Edge has scored 10 or more points in 32 games in ARI: 17What else ya got?

Wait, let me get this straight. You're arguing that there is something special about getting 10 points from your starting RB? And this in the last two years when he had nothing even remotely close to competition for looks and touches from his backups?I'm not saying that Hightower is absolutely for sure gonna to eat into Edge's production but at this point I wouldn't be surprised at all if he does. So add a layer or risk on top of the mediocre expectations.Thanks but I'll take a guy like Calvin Johnson at Edge's ADP and then grab a Justin Fargas or a Ricky Williams or an Ahman Green or just about any emerging waiver wire bum to make up for the opportunity cost of missing out on Edgerrin's ten points per week.

 

[hephner]

Like I said, if you're okay with 22 for 65 and no scores have at it.

That's 6.5 fantasy points scored.# of times Edge scored 6.5 or fewer points in 2007: 0# of times Edge scored 6.5 or fewer points in 2006: 2# of times Edge has scored 10 or more points in 32 games in ARI: 17What else ya got?

Wait, let me get this straight. You're arguing that there is something special about getting 10 points from your starting RB? And this in the last two years when he had nothing even remotely close to competition for looks and touches from his backups?I'm not saying that Hightower is absolutely for sure gonna to eat into Edge's production but at this point I wouldn't be surprised at all if he does. So add a layer or risk on top of the mediocre expectations.Thanks but I'll take a guy like Calvin Johnson at Edge's ADP and then grab a Justin Fargas or a Ricky Williams or an Ahman Green or just about any emerging waiver wire bum to make up for the opportunity cost of missing out on Edgerrin's ten points per week.

So wait, let ME get this straight. You're going to take Calvin Johnson a round earlier than his ADP dictates (Edge ADP= 46, Calvin = 57), then you're going to wait to secure your RB2 by taking Fargas, Williams, A. Green, or waiver wire fodder. Ya, good luck with that.

 

[FBGPoker]

Trades in this league require a calculator, accountant, a team of lawyers and an abacus.

Shirley you can't be serious.

 

[Eminence]

Trades in this league require a calculator, accountant, a team of lawyers and an abacus.

Shirley you can't be serious.

"Shirley" you know it's supposed to be "surely", right?

 

[massraider]

Trades in this league require a calculator, accountant, a team of lawyers and an abacus.

Shirley you can't be serious.

"Shirley" you know it's supposed to be "surely", right?

Big movie buff, are ya?

 

[David Yudkin]

Like I said, if you're okay with 22 for 65 and no scores have at it.

That's 6.5 fantasy points scored.# of times Edge scored 6.5 or fewer points in 2007: 0# of times Edge scored 6.5 or fewer points in 2006: 2# of times Edge has scored 10 or more points in 32 games in ARI: 17What else ya got?

Wait, let me get this straight. You're arguing that there is something special about getting 10 points from your starting RB? And this in the last two years when he had nothing even remotely close to competition for looks and touches from his backups?I'm not saying that Hightower is absolutely for sure gonna to eat into Edge's production but at this point I wouldn't be surprised at all if he does. So add a layer or risk on top of the mediocre expectations.Thanks but I'll take a guy like Calvin Johnson at Edge's ADP and then grab a Justin Fargas or a Ricky Williams or an Ahman Green or just about any emerging waiver wire bum to make up for the opportunity cost of missing out on Edgerrin's ten points per week.

I could care less who you want to draft, so feel free to take whomever your heart desires. But for the rest of the masses who may be missing out on Edge as a decent, reliable value pick there's more . . .Edge has averaged 11.2 ppg (0 PPR) over the past two seasons. Sure, it's not great and he's not going to make a run at the Top 5 ever again. Over the past 2 seasons, he's ranked 2nd in RB carries, 2nd in RB touches, and 11th in total RB fantasy points. He's not going to single handedly win you your league, but there are FAR worse options availble at RB (and other positions) than Edge.Given his workload, Edge's 11.2 ppg works out to 180 points over a full season. There are not many RB or WR that are going to hit that total, especially not in the 5th round.

 

[BigRed]

Go back and watch his pre-ACL tear seasons in Indy or even better the Hurricane Bowl game against UCLA his last year in college and tell me he had no burst back then. Edge was amazing. He's a shell of that former self now.

Why stop there? I hear he was a speed demon in Pop Warner.You said "lost the burst he had in Indy" remember? Even pre-ACL, he had a somewhat more of a burst, but nothing "amazing." His biggest strength was his versatility (could run catch and block), and (esp as he got older) knowing how and when to take what the D gave him.

Like I said, if you're okay with 22 for 65 and no scores have at it.

Since he does better than that, this is also inaccurate and so irrelevent.

And please don't insult me with a claim that I am being intellectually dishonest here.

I was mostly kidding, but not like that's unheard of on FF boards. Anyway, if you don't think a RB like EJ can help you win games, you're not really thinking. But if you feel like you have to "swing for the fences" on every pick, no matter how likely it is that said pick is a pop fly, go for it.

 

[Marc Levin]

I have already stated in here that I like Hightower a lot. I'm not going to rant about last night's game. He didn't flop, he didn't go crazy. He did well. Great. HOWEVER, Edge owners SHOULD be concerned with Edge admitting that he and Hightower will be a great 1-2 punch. I like hearing that. __________(Rotoworld) Tim Hightower had 23 yards on five carries and a TD and two catches for 11 yards as Arizona lost its preseason opener to New Orleans 24-10.Analysis: A strong showing from the fifth-round rookie. We've got a ways to go, but Hightower looks much more capable of making an impact than J.J. Arrington, who had a bad drop Thursday and saw only two carries. Interestingly, Edgerrin James said during an in-game interview that he thinks he and Hightower will be a potent "1-2 punch" this season.

In that same interview, Edge also said he pushes himself every day to take down the next player on the rushing list. Edge has internal motivation for stats - if the rook starts taking his touches, he will suddenly find a new fire in the belly. Hightower is good for Edge, not bad for him.Hightower is bad for anyone hoping to invest in JJ Arrington.

Edge also doesn't like to carry at the goal line. He knows that getting pounded at the goal line will shorten his career. If this kid performs well, then I see Edge's TD total go down even more than last year.

Below 6 or 7?? I don't think so.But if Hightower shows a better nose for the end zone, then hoping for 8+ this year from Edge is out.

You think it's a concern that Hightower will vulture TDs from Edge?Wow.

Last two years, Edge has had 6 and 7 TDs. No, it is not a concern that he will vulture one of those 6.5 per year TDs from Edge. Over the last two years, Edge has 7 TDs on 25 rushes inside the 5 yard line. Not bad, but not very good either.If you were hoping Edge was going to suddenly leap into the 8-10 TD range, then Hightower is a threat to that, yes. The announcers discussed during the game how much the team likes his nose for the goal line. The kid ran one in from the goal line.

 

[Marc Levin]

Fine, but there's a difference between Edge pulling himself, and suggesting that Hightower will force the change.

Agreed - please show me the statement I made implying that would happen.

 

[Marc Levin]

You're arguing that there is something special acceptable about getting 10 points from your starting RB2?

Drafted in the mid fourth. As corrected, that is what he is arguing.

 

[mdog1967]

his #s last year are pretty much his upside. He is not a breakaway threat and has never been a great GL back (and might not even be the GL back this year). Add in another year older off another year with a ton of carries and another bad OL, and I don't see how he is a sleeper.

First post of yours Ive come across that sounded like you remotely know what your talking about.

 

[massraider]

Fine, but there's a difference between Edge pulling himself, and suggesting that Hightower will force the change.

Agreed - please show me the statement I made implying that would happen.

"But if Hightower shows a better nose for the end zone, then hoping for 8+ this year from Edge is out."maybe I misunderstood.

 

[Marc Levin]

No worries - you probably misunderstood since I don't think Edge's TD numbers will "drop" from his 6.5 average. I said that hoping for his TD numbers to take a jump might be something to reconsider due to Hightower.

You stated earlier that Edge had 7 rush TDs last year and the rest of the rush TD totals for the team = 1.

Given, but if the team's red zone rush attempts jump this year, I am not ready to believe that Edge will be the sole beneficiary.

 

[T Bell]

Trades in this league require a calculator, accountant, a team of lawyers and an abacus.

Shirley you can't be serious.

"Shirley" you know it's supposed to be "surely", right?

Big movie buff, are ya?

He had the lasagna.