Erasmus James Released (1 Viewer)

[Polyethylene Bag]

Didn't see this posted yet:

The Vikings announced they have waived defensive end Erasmus James, according to the team’s website. One of the Vikings’ two first-round picks in the 2005 draft — receiver Troy Williamson was the other — James was waived/injured after failing to pass his physical. James had battled knee injuries the past two seasons.

http://ww3.startribune.com/vikingsblog/

 

[onionsack]

Wow did that ever turn out to be a putrid draft class for Minnesota.

NOT MUCH LEFT OF '05

The Vikings have only one player left from the 2005 draft. A look at that class:

1. WR Troy Williamson, seventh overall: Traded to Jacksonville for sixth-round pick in February.

1. DE Erasmus James, 18th: Waived on Friday.

2. OL Marcus Johnson, 49th: Backup right tackle will have to battle for roster spot.

3. DB Dustin Fox, 80th: Released in final training-camp cuts in '06.

4. RB Ciatrick Fason, 112th: Released in final training-camp cuts in '07.

5. No choice

6. DT C.J. Mosley, 191st: Traded to Jets in deal for QB Brooks Bollinger in September 2006.

7. CB Adrian Ward, 219th: Released in final training-camp cuts in '05.

 

[msommer]

Wasn't that the last year of Red McCombs or did he stay on in '06?

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

no worries. Ray Edwards is planning on a 20+ sack record-breaking season.

http://kstp.com/article/stories/S454606.shtml?cat=7

KIBBE: Vikings defensive end seeks sack title

Ryan Kibbe - Sports Reporter

For Ray Edwards, the 2007 season was supposed to be his season of promise. And at times, he delivered with 5 sacks... until late December. That's when the NFL suspended Edwards for four games for violating the league's steroid policy. "I was disappointed in myself last year in the suspension," Edwards said Thursday. "I definitely let myself down and definitely let the team down."

To atone for his mistake, Edwards devoted himself to off-season soul-seeking. He worked out at Winter Park nearly every day. He took up boxing, now a hobby, but as he called it, a necessity in his younger years. The 'sweet science' training paid dividends, Edwards said. "It definitely made my muscles in my shoulders stronger. I'm more on my tippy-toes now than I was on my heels last year."

Edwards also made other changes. He's bulked up about 5 to 10 pounds, since the Vikings moved him from right end to left defensive end. His coach noticed. "I think Ray has had a real good offseason to this point," said Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. "He really came back in January and he's been working since our season ended and hasn't missed one workout."

Edwards isn't chasing boxing titles, but he is stalking the NFL sack record, held by NY Giants star end Michael Strahan. "I look up to Strahan. I learned a lot from him watching and studying his film." Then Edwards threw in another eye-popping statement: "This year I definitely plan on going out here and breaking Strahan's record of 22 and 1/2 sacks this year."

Wow. Edwards didn't mince words. But it was spoken with confidence, not arrogance. And don't forget, Jared Allen is on the other side, who had 15.5 sacks as a Pro Bowl end in Kansas City. The Vikings paid Allen millions to leave the Chiefs. That's heady company that Edwards keeps.

"You want to be the best, you have to go after the best so that's what I want to do. I want to be the best that ever played this game so you got to go after it."

 

[onionsack]

Statements like that are just going to draw the attention of the drug testers again.

 

[reg]

Wasn't that the last year of Red McCombs or did he stay on in '06?

Red's last year.

 

[Sidewinder16]

James traded to 'Skins

The Redskins have traded a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2009 draft to Minnesota for defensive end Erasmus James.

So, is he still injured?

 

[reg]

not sure if he is still injured, but he failed his latest physical which is why the vikes were going to cut him

 

[Sidewinder16]

not sure if he is still injured, but he failed his latest physical which is why the vikes were going to cut him

Thanks. Looks like the trade is conditional upon James making the 'Skins roster. Seems like a real low risk, high reward kind of move.It's interesting to note that the 'Skins new DL coach, John Palermo, was James' DL coach at Wisconsin.

 

[T Bell]

From PFW.com:

Don't count out Redskins' James, but patience might be necessaryJuly 18, 2008As it stands now, coming off a knee injury and entering a crowded DE situation, Erasmus James — the failed former first-round pick of the Vikings who was traded to Washington for a conditional seventh-round draft pick — is far from guaranteed a roster spot. The team hopes that James, coming off ACL surgery last season, can be in shape to contribute at some point this preseason. The cautiously optimistic hope is that he can be ready to play in the final two preseason games, which would give him a chance to show he can contribute and make the roster. But with starters Phillip Daniels and Andre Carter, plus backups Chris Wilson and Demetric Evans, two players whom last year’s coaching staff liked, James must be impressive and hope that the team will keep five defensive ends on the 53-man roster, which is not far-fetched. One thing that could help James rediscover his college effectiveness is a return to the weight he played at with Wisconsin (where current Redskins DL coach John Palermo worked with him). He was in the 255- to 260-pound range there but bulked up to 275 pounds or more with the Vikings, and new Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache is a proponent of having James drop the weight, as opposed to former coordinator Gregg Williams, who liked his ends to be bigger.

 

[T Bell]

If you're hurting for DE depth in your deep dynasty league, you might start looking at James as a guy to pick up for depth and longer term upside.

James Practices

Erasmus James went through drills with teammates for the first time since re-injuring his knee last December. James, who was acquired for a conditional seventh-round pick in June, was with Minnesota at the time of his most recent injury, and this was his first time practicing with the Redskins.

This practice was just in shorts and shells, but Tuesday is scheduled to be in full pads.

"I'm very excited about tomorrow when we actually put the pads on," said James. "It kind of sucks when you're not out there with the guys."

Defensive line coach John Palermo made sure James did not push too hard in drills, urging him to watch his speed during an exercise in which linemen run in circles with their arms dragging close to the ground. James was activated from the physically-unable-to-perform list this morning and said he would like to get a few plays Saturday against New York if possible.

"I'm just itching to get out there," he said.

James could be a valuable part of a rotation and said he may also end up taking reps at tackle on passing downs. "I definitely think I could," he said. The Redskins would love to get three speed rushers on the field at the same time - along with Andre Carter and Jason Taylor - and form a deep unit in the mold of the New York Giants.

James thanked the Redskins for showing great patience with his long recovery and indeed the team dealt for him knowing he could not pass a physical (James finally did so this week). Zorn said it may make more sense to delay James's preseason debut until the fourth game.

Link

 

[Anthony Borbely]

I think James is done.

 

[T Bell]

I think James is done.

You might be right, and the 'Skins are certainly bringing him along slowly. We have no way of knowing for sure until he takes the field. Note, however that the team had him drop weight, and the suspicion was that his prior rehab work was a bit rushed to get him back onto the field. The 'Skins have him at his college weight, and they're still treating him conservatively even though he hasn't had any sort of physical setback (e.g. swelling, soreness, etc.) in a long time. The team has liked his progress, and the role he figures to fill when healthy could lead to some sacks. I think that if he's healthy, he might resemble the kind of player Justin Tuck was circa 2005-06, or Chris Clemons with the Redskins in 2006, filling in part time and contributing sacks. Like I said, he could be value for someone.

 

[Mr Capicollo]

James is going to make his debut this Saturday versus Carolina in the week 3 preseason game. He's slated to play in the 2nd half at DE.