Edgerrin James Signs One Year Deal With Seattle Seahawks

NFL News - August 26th, 2009 - Written by Scott

In hopes of adding some spark to their stagnant running game, the Seattle Seahawks signed aging  Edgerrin James to one year deal.  James will join the Seahawks just sixteen months after the release of Shaun Alexander.  A team spokesperson reported the deal is worth $2 million.  Since Shaun Alexander's departure, the Seahawks have struggled with their ground game. In 2008, they ranked 27th in rushing yards per game with a dismal 82 yards per game. To make room for James, the Seahawks waived veteran running back T.J. Duckett. Duckett was limited to short-yardage downs last year and scored a team leading eight rushing touchdowns while never starting a game.  Duckett confirmed to The Associated Press in a text message Tuesday night that he had been released. Seattle was at its preseason roster limit and had to shed someone to add James.

After this move with Duckett, Julius Jones was the only veteran running back on the roster, who appears to be on his way to losing touches this year.  Jones led the team in rushing in 2008 with 698 yards and 4.4 yards per carry.  Jones has practiced only twice in the past twelve days after suffering a bruised thigh.  James, who is 31, is expected to report to practice with the Seahawks on Wednesday.  Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp is putting in his highly effective zone-blocking scheme this year with the Seahawks who have three starting offensive lineman out with injuries.

Before being released by the Cardinals, the running back out of Miami (Fl) still had one year and $5 million left on his four year deal he signed with Arizona back in 2006.  In his 3 seasons with the Cardinals, James surpassed the 1,000 yard mark in 2006 and 2007.  At the beginning of the 2008 season, he lost his starting job to rookie Tim Hightower.  James requested to be released, but the Cardinals refused.  Late in the season, the Cardinals inserted James back into the lineup and he rekindled a lack luster running game and carried them to the Super Bowl, only to lose to The Pittsburgh Steelers.  James, the league's leading active rusher, finished his three year career with the Arizona Cardinals rushing for 2,895 yards and 16 touchdowns. 

Through his career, James has 12,121 yards on 2982 rushing attempts and has 80 touchdowns.  He is currently 158 yards from passing Marcus Allen and Marshall Faulk on the career rushing list.  In addition to these achievements, he is only 191 yards from passing eighth-place Jim Brown.

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