James losing grip on starting running back job

There's been no ceremony. No, the guard hasn't changed.

But listening to the goings-on around the Cardinalson Monday, you got the feeling that a move from Edgerrin James to rookie Tim Hightower as the starting running back in the coming days or weeks is a distinct possibility.

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James, after suggesting he should be used more, came up small on Sunday in Carolina. He rushed for 17 yards on seven carries and lost a critical fumble.

Hightower, though not used much (six carries, 3 yards), bounced away from a tackler in the middle of the line, then ran left for a 2-yard touchdown. He also had a nice run to convert on a third-and-short.

Everyone involved seemed to choose his words carefully.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said, "I think we've shown we're going to play the players who give us the best chance to win. We did that with the quarterback. We've done that at linebacker, we've done it with the offensive line.

"At a point where we feel Tim gives us the best chance to win, then absolutely. But I don't think you can judge it just based on (Sunday's) game."

Whisenhunt suggested, though, that Hightower figures to get a heavier workload.

Hearing this, James said, "That's the way it was heading anyway, so it's cool."

James suggested he's competitive, not disruptive, and compared his situation to the training camp competition at quarterback between Kurt Warner and Matt Leinart.

"There's only one way to respond to that (competition); you play ball. Being it's me, the perception has always not worked in my favor."

Asked to clarify his meaning, James intimated that whenever he talks, the perception turns out poorly for him.

"That's why I will always not comment or not say anything at all. Whatever happens, it's cool."

Hightower, asked about the possibility of an increased role, said, "I'm ready for whatever I've got to do."

James has acknowledged in the past that he's playing for his place in history.

He started the season ranked No. 13 all-time in rushing yards. A solid season would easily move him well into the top 10.

But so far, he has only run for 380 yards in the team's pass-oriented offense.

He's still No. 13 at 11,987 - 87 yards behind No. 12, Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas, at 12,074.

Asked about this, James said, "I'm put in the position to fail."

Pressed on his meaning, he seemed to back away.

"I don't know. Right now, I don't want to say nothing, or I'll get into more trouble."

Regardless of how the position turns out this year, James - though he's under contract for one more year - would seem to be near the end of his run with the Cardinals.