To Edgerrin James, a good season is 1,500 yards rushing. It's a mark he's reached four times in his nine-year career, and it's a number he believes he can get to again.
While most Fantasy owners are down on James this season, he still feels like an elite running back. And he's not concerned with all the negatives hanging over his head.
"I know what I'm capable of doing," James said in an interview with CBSSports.com this offseason.
His age (30 in August), career carries (2,849) and the pass-happy offense he plays in will definitely scare owners, but Arizona still has faith in James. The Cardinals only added one running back this offseason in rookie Tim Hightower from Richmond, but he was drafted in the fifth round and will compete with Marcel Shipp and J.J. Arrington for backup duties.
James remains a key part of this offense, and he can still produce like a starting Fantasy option. In mock drafts so far, James has been drafted starting in the fourth round, which means you can get a stud running back and two standout receivers before landing James.
That's a good way to start your Fantasy team.
Even though it appears James has struggled with the Cardinals, his stats aren't terrible. In his first year in Arizona in 2006, James had 1,159 rushing yards and six touchdowns and 38 catches for 217 yards.
Last year, James had 1,224 rushing yards and seven touchdowns and 24 catches for 204 yards. Those numbers make James a No. 2 Fantasy option, but they pale in comparison to what he did in Indianapolis when he rushed for over 1,250 yards in five of his seven years with the Colts with 64 touchdowns over that span.
That's why Fantasy owners are down on James. He's not going to put up the same stats he did with the Colts. He's also not going to get 1,500 yards rushing again. But he will still do well enough to be a starting Fantasy option. And if you build your team the right way, James will be a positive cog in a potential championship roster.
Positives: James will remain the No. 1 running back for the Cardinals, who have an explosive offense. He hasn't displayed his receiving skills for Arizona the past two years but remains a decent source of catches. Look for more rushing touchdowns this season. You know he's going to touch the ball 20 times a game.
Negatives: The Cardinals offensive line still is a work in progress. Arizona remains a pass-happy offense, especially if Kurt Warner wins the starting job over Matt Leinart. Last year, the Cardinals took James off the field at times in the red zone, and it's unknown if that will happen again.
Outlook: James remains a quality No. 2 Fantasy running back, and he probably has one more good season left. He's a safe bet for 1,200 rushing yards and seven touchdowns and 30 catches for 300 yards and probably another touchdown. Follow the current mock drafts and take him around the fourth round after you’ve drafted three solid starters at running back and wide receiver.
Position battle: No. 1 quarterback
 | Matt Leinart
Pro: He's been given the keys to the offense and has the talent to succeed. It will help if Boldin and Fitzgerald stay healthy, which hasn't been the case the past two seasons. If Leinart stays healthy and is able to start all 16 games, he's a candidate for about 25 touchdowns and 3,500 passing yards. Boldin told CBSSports.com this offseason he expects Leinart to improve in 2008. "Matt is a great talent," Boldin said. "He started over with a new system last year and was starting to find his way before getting hurt. This year, Matt is our guy."
Con: For the past two years, Leinart has faltered, whether due to inconsistent play, injury (broken collarbone in 2007) or Warner just being a better fit. Even if Leinart starts every game, he could lose touchdowns to Warner in the Cardinals "goal-line package." Leinart has been injured the past two seasons and could be viewed as fragile. One bad stretch for Leinart and he could be benched. |
 | Kurt Warner
Pro: Warner was an elite Fantasy quarterback last year when he replaced Leinart, throwing for 3,417 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions and also running for a score. As much as Boldin and Fitzgerald will back Leinart, the receivers know Warner is the better passer. "Kurt is big on timing, which is good for me," Boldin said. "When Kurt is in there, the ball is there as soon as I come out of my route. I always tell him to just put the ball 2 feet off the ground and I'll go get it."
Con: Leinart is the future of the franchise and will given plenty of chances to succeed. There is no guarantee Warner gets an extension, which could leave him disgruntled. He's better suited coming out of the bullpen, which means the Cardinals might wait for a losing streak to bring him in. | | Prediction: Draft Leinart as a No. 2 Fantasy option and wait to pick Warner off the waiver wire if he's given the job. The only way you should draft Warner is if you have Tom Brady or Peyton Manning and don't need to worry about a backup. Then if Warner starts, you have solid trade bait. | |
Position battle: No. 2 running back
 | Marcel Shipp
Pro: Shipp is currently No. 2 on the depth chart behind starter Edgerrin James, which is the role Shipp held last year. The coaches trust him since he's a veteran. He had one touchdown last year but got consistent playing time in short-yardage situations.
Con: Shipp hasn't done much since 2002 and is no lock to make the team. He only has 10 catches the past two seasons. The Cardinals are ready to replace him. |
 | J.J. Arrington
Pro: Arrington played well in a third-down role and finished with 29 catches for 241 yards and a touchdown. He has the highest potential of this group, which is why he was drafted in the second round in the 2005 NFL Draft.
Con: Arrington has two rushing touchdowns in his career, and both were in his rookie season in 2005. He has only 40 carries the past two seasons. His special teams play will limit his offensive production. |  | Tim Hightower
Pro: The Cardinals like Hightower's running style and ability to make plays, which is why they drafted him in the fifth round of this year's NFL draft, and he was the only running back added this offseason. As a senior at Richmond, Hightower scored 23 touchdowns with more than 2,000 total yards.
Con: As a rookie, Hightower might not get much playing time, especially if he can't grasp the blitz protection. He will have to outplay Arrington as the third-down back, and Shipp still will get goal-line carries. | | Prediction: Hightower is No. 2, and Arrington is the third-down back. Look for Shipp to be a low-end reserve or not make the team. When looking at it from a Fantasy perspective, especially since James is 30 and on the downside of his career, consider Hightower the handcuff option and take him with a late-round selection in 2008. | |
