Edge's Motivation (1 Viewer)

[Pantherz]

I've been spending some time studying, researching, doing mock drafts, etc.........and I'm having troule sorting out the guys in the 6-11 overall spots this year. I'm especially having a problem figuring out where to put Edge. Actually, I guess it isn't really a problem, as I've come to the conclusion he's not a 1st round pick for me. Just my opinion, but why is everyone taking him at the 1.07 spot?

What's his motivation? This is the biggest problem I have with him this year. Put yourself in his shoes. How excited can you get after a career in Indy with an explosive offense, terrific surrounding cast, high expectations every year, and now you find yourself in Arizona. Just signed a fat contract, and I haven't read it, but I would assume that at this point in his career he didn't have to sign one that was heavily loaded with performance based incentives. I would think he had most of the bargaining power.

What about mid-season when the Cards are 3-5, playoffs are looking highly unlikely, and you've got 8 more games to go. Are you gonna go out and give it absolutely everything you've got and leave nothing on the field but blood and sweat, in the hopes that you can fight back to .500 season? I know , I know, they could have a great season and end up in the Super Bowl..........but I haven't seen alot of people predicting that.

I have no doubts about Edge's talent. He's got alot still in the tank physically IMO. He's what......28 now? And if he was still in Indy I would expect to see him clawing and scratching for every yard, week after week. I just don't recall alot of true superstars who have left their "career team" and continued to produce at a very high level. Montana comes to mind and I'm sure there are a few, but not near as many as have fallen into mediocrity. Can't help but wonder if he just cashed his retirement check at age 28. Sure he'll continue to play, but can't have alot to prove at this point, and in this situation.

Maybe I'm totally wrong here. Maybe Edge is just such a professional that this won't be a letdown at all. Maybe Arizona's offense just got the missing link to start outscoring their opponents like the Rams from a couple of years back. Maybe the defense is improved and they will be a force all season....but.....

Are you going to take him in round 1 if he's there? As of today, I can't, but maybe some of you guys can show me the error of my ways. I've been lurking here for years and I've seen many posts that shifted my opinion about players I wasn't going to take. What am I overlooking............... or do you see a severe letdown, too.

 

[Todem]

He loves to play football. Edge is a consumate pro. He is always ready to play. He has a fantastic work ethic.

My concern is how bad that stinker of a line they have out in the desert is going to affect his play and desire to get hit behind the line more than he ever has in his career.

Edge is still first round material but I would temper my expectations to 1200 Yards rushing not 1500 and a drop in TD's.

 

[Chase Stuart]

I have no doubts about Edge's talent. He's got alot still in the tank physically IMO. He's what......28 now? And if he was still in Indy I would expect to see him clawing and scratching for every yard, week after week. I just don't recall alot of true superstars who have left their "career team" and continued to produce at a very high level. Montana comes to mind and I'm sure there are a few, but not near as many as have fallen into mediocrity. Can't help but wonder if he just cashed his retirement check at age 28.

I'm curious to know how many people have had sustained levels of success like Edge ( Peerless Price) and left at such a young age ( Ronnie Lott) and then busted, to make you think that many more fall into medicority. Can you give us some examples of the guys you're thinking of?

 

[JohnnyU]

What's his motivation? This is the biggest problem I have with him this year. Put yourself in his shoes. How excited can you get after a career in Indy with an explosive offense, terrific surrounding cast, high expectations every year, and now you find yourself in Arizona.

I think Arizona has the makings of a very good offensive team if the OL doesn't ruin it all. The skill positions are loaded. Edge could be a part of something special happening in the desert.

 

[Johnny Ice]

The last thing you need to worry about concerning Edge is his heart and motivation. As mentioned above the guy loves to play football. Period.

 

[SpaceCowboy]

He's never lead the NFC in rushing. Is he that great a back without Peyton Manning? Does he feel Indy didn't make a strong enough push to re-sign him and instead put all of their $$ into Reggie Wayne?

Can he make thousands of Arizonian's love him by being their savior? Can he do what Emmitt, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, could not do - win in Arizona?

With these arguments, he could be the most highly motivated guy in the league this year. The grass looks pretty green on this side, too....

 

[LHUCKS]

Three words...HALL OF FAME

Edge has let it be known here in AZ that he want to make the Hall.

Don't expect Edge to lose any motivation.

 

[SpaceCowboy]

Three words...HALL OF FAMEEdge has let it be known here in AZ that he want to make the Hall.Don't expect Edge to lose any motivation.

yet more motivation.BTW - Do you think JJ Arrington will be vulturing the goal line touches like James Mungro was in Indy? I think not.

 

[Pantherz]

I have no doubts about Edge's talent. He's got alot still in the tank physically IMO. He's what......28 now? And if he was still in Indy I would expect to see him clawing and scratching for every yard, week after week. I just don't recall alot of true superstars who have left their "career team" and continued to produce at a very high level. Montana comes to mind and I'm sure there are a few, but not near as many as have fallen into mediocrity. Can't help but wonder if he just cashed his retirement check at age 28.

I'm curious to know how many people have had sustained levels of success like Edge ( Peerless Price) and left at such a young age ( Ronnie Lott) and then busted, to make you think that many more fall into medicority. Can you give us some examples of the guys you're thinking of?

Good point.........and the hard part is the "at such a young age" part. Most guys with that type of career in the past(pre-free-agency) wouldn't leave their original team. I do recall Barry Foster coming to Carolina from Pittsburgh and not being too old, but injuries may have been more reason for his lack of sucess than a lack of motivation. Eric Dickerson started to fade after leaving the Rams, but it was a year or two later that he really faded off, and I'm not sure how old he was then but he only played 4 years with the Rams. Don't think there is alot of history with young superstars leaving, and going to a struggling team. I'm sure someone here with a better memory than mine can come up with examples good and bad. Most of the time they leave after the talent starts to fade (Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice).

 

[Pantherz]

The last thing you need to worry about concerning Edge is his heart and motivation. As mentioned above the guy loves to play football. Period.

This I can believe (heart), but still not the motivation part.

SpaceCowboy Posted Aug 6 2006, 04:36 PM

He's never lead the NFC in rushing. Is he that great a back without Peyton Manning? Does he feel Indy didn't make a strong enough push to re-sign him and instead put all of their $$ into Reggie Wayne?Can he make thousands of Arizonian's love him by being their savior? Can he do what Emmitt, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, could not do - win in Arizona?

With these arguments, he could be the most highly motivated guy in the league this year. The grass looks pretty green on this side, too...

I could see the percieved "disrespect " having a motivating effect, but the Emmitt part? not so much.

LHUCKS Posted Aug 6 2006, 04:39 PM

Three words...HALL OF FAME

Edge has let it be known here in AZ that he want to make the Hall.

Don't expect Edge to lose any motivation.

I guess I am be the only one not liking his situation.

 

[NoCheese]

The last thing you need to worry about concerning Edge is his heart and motivation. As mentioned above the guy loves to play football. Period.

This I can believe (heart), but still not the motivation part.

SpaceCowboy Posted Aug 6 2006, 04:36 PM

He's never lead the NFC in rushing. Is he that great a back without Peyton Manning? Does he feel Indy didn't make a strong enough push to re-sign him and instead put all of their $$ into Reggie Wayne?Can he make thousands of Arizonian's love him by being their savior? Can he do what Emmitt, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, could not do - win in Arizona?

With these arguments, he could be the most highly motivated guy in the league this year. The grass looks pretty green on this side, too...

I could see the percieved "disrespect " having a motivating effect, but the Emmitt part? not so much.

LHUCKS Posted Aug 6 2006, 04:39 PM

Three words...HALL OF FAME

Edge has let it be known here in AZ that he want to make the Hall.

Don't expect Edge to lose any motivation.

I guess I am be the only one not liking his situation.

Wrong, I don't like his situation either. I think he'll go for 1250 and 9, not quite 1st round material, but he will get a lot of catches as Arizona should be playing from behind a lot. Warner's injury history really concerns me, as does their offensive line, and their bad defense. I really don't think Edge will get anywhere near his Indy #'s in AZ. The reason Boldin and fitz were so good last year is because they each got targeted about 12 times/game. Last I checked, AZ's "D" didn't get any better

 

[srnohav]

I have no doubts about Edge's talent. He's got alot still in the tank physically IMO. He's what......28 now? And if he was still in Indy I would expect to see him clawing and scratching for every yard, week after week. I just don't recall alot of true superstars who have left their "career team" and continued to produce at a very high level. Montana comes to mind and I'm sure there are a few, but not near as many as have fallen into mediocrity. Can't help but wonder if he just cashed his retirement check at age 28.

I'm curious to know how many people have had sustained levels of success like Edge ( Peerless Price) and left at such a young age ( Ronnie Lott) and then busted, to make you think that many more fall into medicority. Can you give us some examples of the guys you're thinking of?

Good point.........and the hard part is the "at such a young age" part. Most guys with that type of career in the past(pre-free-agency) wouldn't leave their original team. I do recall Barry Foster coming to Carolina from Pittsburgh and not being too old, but injuries may have been more reason for his lack of sucess than a lack of motivation. Eric Dickerson started to fade after leaving the Rams, but it was a year or two later that he really faded off, and I'm not sure how old he was then but he only played 4 years with the Rams. Don't think there is alot of history with young superstars leaving, and going to a struggling team. I'm sure someone here with a better memory than mine can come up with examples good and bad. Most of the time they leave after the talent starts to fade (Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice).

how about Marshall FaulkHow about Priest HolmesHow about Ricky Watters twice (sea, SF)How about Curtis MartinHow about Garrison Hearst (not a stud, but young and did well on a different team)How about Thomas Jones

 

[Pantherz]

Wrong, I don't like his situation either. I think he'll go for 1250 and 9, not quite 1st round material, but he will get a lot of catches as Arizona should be playing from behind a lot. Warner's injury history really concerns me, as does their offensive line, and their bad defense. I really don't think Edge will get anywhere near his Indy #'s in AZ. The reason Boldin and fitz were so good last year is because they each got targeted about 12 times/game. Last I checked, AZ's "D" didn't get any better

Yeah, I've been noticing for years if I'm behind and have a few players left, that as long as my running backs are leading in the second half, and my QBs and WRs are losing, things can turn around quickly. If it is reversed............I'm probably not going to come back. And that is a broad generalization I know. I think we may see Arizona in some high scoring affairs, but maybe not too many 17-3 leads going into the second half where they grind it out and run the clock out.

 

[elcohiba]

7/21 TSN - Edge says--

"Edge is not crazy, man. I have vision. Everyone was talking about what might happen to me in Indy and I had already seen what was going to take place--and it did. Now have seen what will happen in Arizona, and it will happen. When it does maybe I will finally get credit for my vision.

 

[ebcpastor2004]

Well I've had Edge in a keeper league since '03. I love the guy, but I must admit that him moving to AZ scared me last spring. If I was in a total redraft, I'd probably stay away until about the 11th or 12th overall pick, still a first rounder in a lot of leagues. I just couldn't put him back in the pool because in my league RB pickings are slim to none. By the time 40 players get kept, the top 15 RBs are off the board.

The more I think about it though, the more I "kind of think he might" get more touches at AZ, especially near the goal line. He certainly won't have Warner trying to break any TD records. AND it's not like DEF can stack the box against him with Quan and Fitz out there, and now with Pope at TE. On paper, AZ is definitely on the rise. If they can put it together, he could be gold. My biggest concern is Warner going down early and Leinert having to take over too soon. Although, Leinert will be able to move better.

I really don't know for sure, but if someone took him anywhere from the 10-12 RB I'd say it was a pretty good pick. Just makes sense to me.

 

[Pantherz]

I have no doubts about Edge's talent. He's got alot still in the tank physically IMO. He's what......28 now? And if he was still in Indy I would expect to see him clawing and scratching for every yard, week after week. I just don't recall alot of true superstars who have left their "career team" and continued to produce at a very high level. Montana comes to mind and I'm sure there are a few, but not near as many as have fallen into mediocrity. Can't help but wonder if he just cashed his retirement check at age 28.

I'm curious to know how many people have had sustained levels of success like Edge ( Peerless Price) and left at such a young age ( Ronnie Lott) and then busted, to make you think that many more fall into medicority. Can you give us some examples of the guys you're thinking of?

Good point.........and the hard part is the "at such a young age" part. Most guys with that type of career in the past(pre-free-agency) wouldn't leave their original team. I do recall Barry Foster coming to Carolina from Pittsburgh and not being too old, but injuries may have been more reason for his lack of sucess than a lack of motivation. Eric Dickerson started to fade after leaving the Rams, but it was a year or two later that he really faded off, and I'm not sure how old he was then but he only played 4 years with the Rams. Don't think there is alot of history with young superstars leaving, and going to a struggling team. I'm sure someone here with a better memory than mine can come up with examples good and bad. Most of the time they leave after the talent starts to fade (Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice).

how about Marshall Faulk

How about Priest Holmes

How about Ricky Watters twice (sea, SF)

How about Curtis Martin

How about Garrison Hearst (not a stud, but young and did well on a different team)

How about Thomas Jones

Hearst and Holmes are good examples of the opposite effect. Leaving stuggling offenses or teams only to explode in a much better environment. In fact Faulk and Holmes both went into #### Vermiel offenses, not much like this situation. C Martin is a good example though. Hadn't thought about him.ETA: oops, guess that should be Richard Vermiel

 

[Gr00vus]

Last I checked, AZ's "D" didn't get any better

The nfl.com stats kajigger lists AZ as 8th in total defense last year. They were tied for 26th in scoring against however. I think the truth of the matter was somewhere inbetween last year - they were an average defense.

And actually I think they will get better this year, as they did have some significant injury problems last year as well which hopefully they won't have to deal with this year. I think they'll be a good defense this season.

Anyway, I don't think Edgerrin will match the numbers from his better years in Indy, he's getting older and his offensive line isn't as good in AZ. He's still worth a late 1st early 2nd but I don't think he has as high of a ceiling as some of the other guys in that range.

 

[Assani Fisher]

couldn't you say this about any player that has a long term contract and his team could be 3-5 after 8 games?

 

[bbuster]

The last thing you need to worry about concerning Edge is his heart and motivation. As mentioned above the guy loves to play football. Period.

I may be totally wrong about this, but wasn't everyone talking a few years ago about an interview Edge did with SI that basically said that money was his motivation...he would probably retire early...wasn't a guy that played for the love of the game? I really don't remember,(maybe it wasn't even Edge) but for some reason this came to mind when I was reading this. Does anyone else remember something like this?

 

[TheLastDispatch]

i'm in the majority here. the last thing you need to worry about is his motivation. if youre going to worry, worry about his OL.

 

[Pantherz]

couldn't you say this about any player that has a long term contract and his team could be 3-5 after 8 games?

You could, but when you have had the bigtime success Edge has for a number of years, it's got to be a lot different than it would be for a guy still struggling to "make his mark" so to speak.

 

[redman]

Edge has played 96 regular season games and 9 playoff games over parts of 7 seasons. He's suffered one major knee injury. He's had about 2700 touches during that time, or almost 400 per year, and that includes the almost one season's worth of games that he's missed.

The guy has a lot of mileage. While I don't worry about his motivation, I do wonder whether we'll see what we saw with the Redskins and Stephen Davis, namely that they got rid of him a year too early rather than a year too late, and he went to another team and had one great year before breaking down. Both he and Edge are hard runners, and hard runners tend to hit a wall. You saw that with Eddie George too.

In redraft, I'm not all that concerned but in dynasty I have to believe that his value should be viewed with him having only 1 or 2 more good years left in him; if he ends up doing better than that, then bully for whatever owner decided to stick with him.

 

[93Buff]

Just food for thought...

Phil Steele was on the Denver radio last night and he was REALLY high on Arizona.

Last year, the Cardinals finished in the NFL Top 10 in Offense and Defense, yet they finished with a 5-11 record...he said he couldn't think of another time that has happened. (key-3rd to last in TO margin)

He has them battling Seattle right to the end for the NFC West Crown.

Phil Steele is one 'magazine' guy that is pretty good.

 

[Pantherz]

Just food for thought...Phil Steele was on the Denver radio last night and he was REALLY high on Arizona. Last year, the Cardinals finished in the NFL Top 10 in Offense and Defense, yet they finished with a 5-11 record...he said he couldn't think of another time that has happened. (key-3rd to last in TO margin)He has them battling Seattle right to the end for the NFC West Crown.Phil Steele is one 'magazine' guy that is pretty good.

Yeah I was suprised by an earlier post

The nfl.com stats kajigger lists AZ as 8th in total defense last year. They were tied for 26th in scoring against however. I think the truth of the matter was somewhere inbetween last year - they were an average defense.And actually I think they will get better this year, as they did have some significant injury problems last year as well which hopefully they won't have to deal with this year. I think they'll be a good defense this season.

and may need to look harder at Arizona as a team. The discussions here do have me thinking, and this was why I started this thread. Some good points have been made and my rankings are always a work in progress.

 

[Cixelsyd]

Edge wasn't respected in Indy... Everyone got paid but him.... its like they thought he was expendable... but bottom line, he played hard and excelled... Now he has a chip on his shoulder... going to a team that everyone doubts he will have succes with... so whats he do...

He's focused, working with the o-line, being part of the team... and I fully expect him to shine and show that he's not just another back...

 

[NoCheese]

Last I checked, AZ's "D" didn't get any better

The nfl.com stats kajigger lists AZ as 8th in total defense last year. They were tied for 26th in scoring against however. I think the truth of the matter was somewhere inbetween last year - they were an average defense.

And actually I think they will get better this year, as they did have some significant injury problems last year as well which hopefully they won't have to deal with this year. I think they'll be a good defense this season.

Anyway, I don't think Edgerrin will match the numbers from his better years in Indy, he's getting older and his offensive line isn't as good in AZ. He's still worth a late 1st early 2nd but I don't think he has as high of a ceiling as some of the other guys in that range.

Points against is the most important factor in whether or not a RB will be running the ball in the 2nd half/the team will be playing from behind. Arizona gave up the 7th most points in the NFL in 2005. They seemed to fall behind early in a good portion of their games. I don't see they've improved much on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[Gr00vus]

Points against is the most important factor in whether or not a RB will be running the ball in the 2nd half/the team will be playing from behind. Arizona gave up the 7th most points in the NFL in 2005. They seemed to fall behind early in a good portion of their games. I don't see they've improved much on the defensive side of the ball.

I think you need to take another look. Not only did they get hit hard by injury last year, they also were integrating a few very talented youngsters into the system. Another year removed from both things should result in a very marked improvement over last season. Additonally they really had an anomalous turnover ratio which had quite a bit to do with their scores against. Apart from points put up straight though opposing teams running back ints/fumbles for tds, the AZ offensive/special teams turnovers had the D backed up on the wrong end of a short field moreso than most other defenses had to deal with. Finally the D spent a ton of time on the field because the Cardinals' O didn't exactly run a ball control offense, and wasn't able to sustain drives very often, that's a killer for a defense. If you paid attention to their games you'd have seen some of this.I think it'd be a mistake to sell their defense short - they're a pretty talented group of players.Also, if James can give AZ something in the running game more than what they had last year (which I think a sack of russett potatos could easily do, so James should be a big help in this area), it should help the defense by keeping them off the field a bit more often as AZ should be able to sustain/extend more drives and eat up some clock on the ground.If James doesn't live up to expectations, it won't be because of the defense - look elsewhere for reasons to lower his rank.edited because English is hard

 

[Chaka]

He's never lead the NFC in rushing. Is he that great a back without Peyton Manning? Does he feel Indy didn't make a strong enough push to re-sign him and instead put all of their $$ into Reggie Wayne?

Can he make thousands of Arizonian's love him by being their savior? Can he do what Emmitt, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, could not do - win in Arizona?

With these arguments, he could be the most highly motivated guy in the league this year. The grass looks pretty green on this side, too....

It would have been a neat trick if he had.He has, however, led the NFL in rushing twice (1999 & 2000).