re: Saints Considering the Edge for a Contract

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The New Orleans Saints are open to the idea of giving their running game an "Edge."

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis told FOXSports.com that the team is still considering making a contract offer to free-agent running back Edgerrin James.

"We've spent some time evaluating Edgerrin," Loomis said Tuesday morning. "We think he can still play. We're going to continue to evaluate that and see where it ends up. We haven't made a decision on Edgerrin yet."

In an expected move, James was released last month after the Cardinals drafted Ohio State running back Chris "Beanie" Wells (first round) and LaRod Stephens-Howling (seventh). James is the NFL's active rushing leader with 12,121 yards, which also ranks 11th on the league's all-time list. James, though, turns 31 in August and isn't believed to have drawn strong interest in free agency.

James could be a nice fit in New Orleans, which didn't draft or sign a replacement for the released Deuce McAllister. Loomis, though, expressed confidence that Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush could carry the Saints' rushing load. A five-game starter last season, Thomas scored nine times and gained 625 yards on only 129 carries. Bush generated 844 yards from scrimmage in an injury-plagued 2008 campaign.


"Every time Pierre has had the opportunity to play, he's performed really well," Loomis said. "I think he was one of the leaders in the league in not getting tackled for a loss among running backs (in 2008). He's not the big prototype back that Deuce was but we're confident that Pierre can do some good things for us.

"Obviously, Reggie is an explosive back and he's had a real strong offseason so far. I know he's looking forward to the challenge of carrying the ball a little more."

James was unhappy last season with his role as a part-time back in Arizona splitting carries with rookie Tim Hightower. James repeatedly asked for his release before it was finally granted.

James enjoyed a strong finish to the 2008 season. He averaged 67.2 rushing yards in Arizona's final five games and started all four postseason contests, including a Super Bowl XLIII loss to Pittsburgh.

James played the past three years in Arizona, producing 2,895 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. James reached four Pro Bowls during his first seven NFL seasons with Indianapolis.

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