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Cards' James not concerned about 'slippage’
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ENJOYING HIS WORK: Cardinals defensive lineman Darnell Dockett gets a kick out of his sack of Lions quarterback Jon Kitna during a game on Nov. 11, 2007, at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Ralph Freso, Tribune
The biggest winner in the Cardinals' draft may not be a draftee. Edgerrin James, you would think, would be ecstatic. While all the pundits predicted the team almost certainly would grab a running back with one of their first two picks, the Cardinals didn't take one until Round 5.
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And even then, the little-known Tim Highsmith doesn't figure to take a whole lot of time away from "Edge."
Yet James says he had no celebration:
"I never worry about somebody coming in and playing my position. If they come, I'm going to help them as much as I can.
"Because I know it's not me."
By this, he means that in analyzing the Cardinals' offense, "Running back is not the problem here. That's the least of my concerns.
"If they want to get something, it's their organization. If you look at the film, you look at everything, it's not me. So I'm not worried about it.
"I know where I stand in this game and at this position."
More is riding on James' starting status than for the average player.
He now ranks No. 13 on the all-time rushing list. With a solid, injury-free 2008, he will rise well into the top 10.
Two more such years and he could elbow his way into the top five, and that would generate a strong Hall of Fame bid.
To do this, though, James - who doesn't turn 30 until Aug.1 - needs to keep grinding in the offseason.
"There's no slippage," James reports. "I made sure I got stronger. The main thing is to go out and work. You'll see for yourself."
By not taking a running back early, the Cardinals seemed to agree that James can be counted on.
"I know I'm getting older. People say you're getting to be 30. But I take good care of myself. And I prepared for all of this in the early years. You won't see any slippage from me."
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