So much for the Cardinals not going after big-name, big-money free agents -- that went out the window with Sunday's signing of former Colts running back Edgerrin James to a four-year deal reportedly worth $30 million with a $7 million signing bonus.
The Cards certainly got our attention with James' big name, but the Vikings, the other team that was desperately seeking out a veteran starting running back this offseason, fared better with landing the lesser-known name of Chester Taylor. Taylor also got a four-year deal, worth $14.1 million with a $5.6 in bonuses. To save you the trouble of doing the math, that's $17.3 million less than what James got.
Consider this: James is 27 with a history of injuries. Taylor, the former primary backup to Jamal Lewis in Baltimore, is 26, but with much less wear and tear than James. He has only 373 carries over his four seasons, while James toted the ball 360 times just last season.
I see Taylor as this year's version of LaMont Jordan -- a reserve just waiting to break out given the starting opportunity on another team. Like Jordan, he also can significantly contribute in the passing game, a key attribute to the offense Brad Childress will run in Minnesota. After the team has had an umimpressive, oft-injured committee the past few seasons, Taylor's every-down potential is a terrific upgrade.
In Arizona, James won't benefit from teams consistently playing back in coverage, afraid of Peyton Manning. Kurt Warner is a solid passer when healthy, and Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are a dynamic receiving duo in the vein of Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, but no one can help running backs the way Manning does with his excellence on audibles and play-action. In addition, the Cardinals' offensive line is far from the strong run-blocking unit that plays in Indianapolis.
James was smart to take the big money to head to the desert to a much less successful organization, and the Colts were just as smart in letting him walk and saving the money to help keep a good young defense intact down the line.
As for the Cardinals, they would have been smarter to spread their money around and help a variety of weaknesses, including that offensive line and their defense. The Vikings showed a lot more financial smarts in landing their feature back -- Taylor has the talent to be as productive as James, and you can't argue with the price tag.
While i think Taylor fits well with Childress i would not comapre him to James. Taylor will be solid in the passing game and running game but he isnt edge. I expect him to pick up around 1000 rush and 400 through the air max. Also can taylor carry the load? That hasnt been established yet.
so after siging Taylor, do we still draft a running back in the 1st? or do we get a linebacker like greenway or sims.
dexter jackson is coming in tommorow and most likely will be signed because of his relations with Tomlin and the tampa 2. he'd be a perfect fit for the scheme.
__________________ My teams:
NFL - Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers
MLB - San Francisco Giants
Futbol - Germany, Bayern Munich
NBA - Golden State Warriors
NCAA Football - USC Trojans
NCAA Basketball - UNC Tarheels
Hockey - San Jose Sharks
i still wouldnt mind taking a rb in the 1st if it is deangelo williams, but i can live with going into next yr with taylor, moore, osmith, and fason. i also wouldnt mind picking up another FA LB and then maybe drafting one like 2nd rd...i have always been big on abdul hodge. its going to be itneresting to see who minnesota goes after next after safety as i am anticipating the vieks to sign demps or jackson tomorrow. oline again like say RT Runyan or LB like Peterson. another FA LB out there i havent been eharing anything abot is akin ayodele, i always thought he was pretty good.
also anyone hear anything about childress being really interested in vernon davis?
i've read that hutchinson has a visit as early as tomorrow and will demps monday, i think dexter jackson has a visit to minnesota coming up aswell maybe monday too.
Sign Hutchinson and call the other 2 off.
.
i think demps would be a nice replacement for chavous
Adam Archuleta would be a MUCH MUCH MUCH better replacement. Thats why I said call off Demps.
so after siging Taylor, do we still draft a running back in the 1st? or do we get a linebacker like greenway or sims.
dexter jackson is coming in tommorow and most likely will be signed because of his relations with Tomlin and the tampa 2. he'd be a perfect fit for the scheme.
We draft either Justice or McNeill. Greenway if available but I doubt it. And please no RB or TE.
i've read that hutchinson has a visit as early as tomorrow and will demps monday, i think dexter jackson has a visit to minnesota coming up aswell maybe monday too.
Sign Hutchinson and call the other 2 off.
Also why in the world are we throwing money down the drain on Chester Taylor? He is exactly what we have. A very medicore back who will not out perform the others.
Don't be suprised if Taylor lights it up in Minny. The West Coast offense Childress will put in will call for Taylor catching and running a great amount. Call me crazy, but he's the next Priest Holmes.......just my gut feeling......
The Seahawks decided Monday not to match the seven-year, $49 million offer sheet on Steve Hutchinson, allowing the All-Pro guard to go to the Minnesota Vikings.
The seven-day deadline to match the Vikings' seven-year, $49 million offer sheet expired at midnight ET Monday. The Seahawks did not notify Hutchinson, the Vikings or his agent, Tom Condon, that they were going to match the offer. By letting the deadline pass, Hutchinson became property of the Vikings.
As the deadline was passing, the Seahawks entered serious negotiations with 49ers linebacker Julian Peterson. The Seahawks regained $6.391 million of cap room by letting Hutchinson leave for Minnesota. The $6.391 million represented the one-year tender Hutchinson had as a transition player.
Earlier Monday, the Seahawks lost a ruling with special master Stephen Burbank in which they wanted to make a slight change in the language of the Vikings' offer sheet to avoid having to guarantee the entire $49 million had they matched. Burbank called the adjustment a change in the principle term of the contract and ruled in favor of Hutchinson and the Vikings.
QB- Brad Johnson
RB- Chester Taylor
FB- Jimmy Kleinsasser
TE- Jermaine Wiggins
WR1- Koren Robinson
WR2- Williamson/ Burleson/ Taylor/ M. Robinson
T- McKinnie
G- Hutchinson
C- Birk
G- Marcus Johnson
T-
DE- Erasmus James
DT- Kevin Williams
DT- Pat Williams
DE- Kenechi Udeze
LB- Donatarious Thompson
LB- Sam Cowart/ EJ Henderson
LB- Napoleon Harris
CB- Antoine Winfield
CB- Brian Williams
S- Willie Offord
S- Darren Sharper
P- Chris Kluwe
K- Ryan Longwell
id really like to see Richardson come in and sign with us, if so i think Lendale White would need some serious consideration, with that line and Whites no nonsense North South type style, we could really pound the ball and take pressure of Brad Johnson.
we could look to Brodie Croyle in the 2nd or 3rd
and also look at Max Jean Gilles or Jason Allen with our other pick.
__________________ My teams:
NFL - Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers
MLB - San Francisco Giants
Futbol - Germany, Bayern Munich
NBA - Golden State Warriors
NCAA Football - USC Trojans
NCAA Basketball - UNC Tarheels
Hockey - San Jose Sharks
Is Lendale our type of back? I thought that Childress wanted a west coast back. Are we looking for a north - south runner? I think that Taylor would fit the bill with Mewelde for the WCO. I think we do need a tackle - but a linebacker would help. We really need one. Glad to have Hutch on board - it was a stiff price, but we have one of the best. Should help or running game. Hopefully Birk comes back healthy and Mckinnie keeps playing. Does anyone think Johnson can do the job at the other G spot?
Is Lendale our type of back? I thought that Childress wanted a west coast back. Are we looking for a north - south runner? I think that Taylor would fit the bill with Mewelde for the WCO. I think we do need a tackle - but a linebacker would help. We really need one. Glad to have Hutch on board - it was a stiff price, but we have one of the best. Should help or running game. Hopefully Birk comes back healthy and Mckinnie keeps playing. Does anyone think Johnson can do the job at the other G spot?
I think Marcus Johnson will work out just fine. I'll be a little pissed if we draft a running back in the first round as I feel we need to package in the 2nd rounder we got from Miami with our other second and first and move up to select one of the top three QB's or LB's. I strongly believe we need to make a strong move like that.
QB- Brad Johnson
RB- Chester Taylor
FB- Jimmy Kleinsasser
TE- Jermaine Wiggins
WR1- Koren Robinson
WR2- Williamson/ Burleson/ Taylor/ M. Robinson
T- McKinnie
G- Hutchinson
C- Birk
G- Marcus Johnson
T-
DE- Erasmus James
DT- Kevin Williams
DT- Pat Williams
DE- Kenechi Udeze
LB- Donatarious Thompson
LB- Sam Cowart/ EJ Henderson
LB- Napoleon Harris
CB- Antoine Winfield
CB- Brian Williams
S- Willie Offord
S- Darren Sharper
P- Chris Kluwe
K- Ryan Longwell
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Welcome to Sports Rumor Mill! We are one of the top sports destination for talking about the latest news, rumors, trades and scores. If you feel you have something important to say about sports, say it here. We only have 1 rule, "Come strong or don't come at all." Or in the words of Jim Rome, "Have a take and don't suck!"