James’ blocking skills will be important for Arizona

By Connor Byrne  |   Tuesday, August 08, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Arizona Cardinals
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When the Arizona Cardinals signed running back Edgerrin James to an expensive contract back in March, fans automatically became excited over the 28-year-old's outstanding rushing skills. Often lost in the fray is the back's top-level blocking skills, which have separated him from many of the game's top runners.

In his seven-year career, the 6-foot, 220-pound James has accumulated most of his notoriety for gaining a whopping 9,226 yards on the ground and dashing across the opposing goal-line a total of 75 times. Even his great talents as a pass catcher seem to be noticed more often than his adept blocking, since he has 356 career receptions.

On a Cardinals offense that doesn't necessarily have any elite linemen up front, James' blocking will be welcomed as much as his wonderful running. Many have quickly jumped on the Cards' bandwagon for the upcoming season, but no team has ever gone far with a horrible o-line. To plenty of experts, the Arizona line will keep this team from making a trip to the playoffs for the first time since the 1998 season.

The current projected starting five up front in the desert is made up of Leonard Davis, Deuce Lutui, Reggie Wells, Milford Brown and Fred Wakefield, a former defensive lineman moved to right tackle.

Of that set of five, Davis has proven the most. A former first-round choice, Davis was a Pro Bowl alternate in the NFC last season, but his performance still wasn't great. Lutui, meanwhile, is a rookie, Wells signed a large contract in the offseason but still has much developing left and Brown has started just 16 games in three seasons.

Hence, it's easy to understand why droves of fans are concerned about Arizona's offensive line.

With stone-footed 35-year-old quarterback Kurt Warner helming the offense, the Cardinals will need plenty of capable blocking up front. Once opposing defenders break through the first wave of blocking, James will be the final line of defense. And if he continues with the same style of blocking as he did for Peyton Manning in Indianapolis, for the most part, all should be well. If those skills suddenly wane, however, the rickety Warner's health could be jeopardized.

Although the Arizona Cardinals have vast talent at the offensive skill positions, their line will determine whether or not this NFC West cellar-dweller will finally contend in 2006. If the line can't do it, perhaps James can save the day, or at least keep Warner from getting killed.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com.

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