AFC West: Edgerrin James
The Chiefs were the only team to put a waiver claim on receiver Chris Chambers and they were awarded him. San Diego cut the demoted starter Monday.
The Kansas City Star suggests safety Jarrad Page could be put on the injured reserve.
Seattle cut running back Edgerrin James. Some could connect the dots and think Kansas City could go after him because James played for Chiefs head coach Todd Haley in Arizona last season and because of Larry Johnson’s status. It could happen, but the Chiefs had an opportunity to sign James before the season and they didn’t. But things can change.
The Broncos added running back Lance Ball and defensive tackle Carlton Powell (a former Denver draft choice) to the add squad. Running back Darius Walker was cut from the practice squad and Denver placed defensive lineman Everette Pedescleaux on the injured list.
The Chargers signed rookie linebacker James Holt from the practice squad. The team is thin at the position.
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
There is talk that the Kansas City Chiefs will look at Edgerrin James.
I think there are players available that would help the cause more than James would. The Chiefs should try to trade for wide receiver Anquan Boldin or they should sign defensive end Jason Taylor.
James wouldn't make a huge impact. The Chiefs have Larry Johnson who is a durable, big veteran. Where would James fit in?
I know Johnson may be cut. But is James a better answer at this point? Johnson is a year younger than James and he was more effective last season than James was.
James wasn't satisfied in the offense of new Kansas City coach Todd Haley in Arizona last year. Why would that change now?
James can still play some. But so can Johnson. The Chiefs should stick with their current running back and they should try to add a veteran at a position where they need more help at.
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
I've been thinking about this a lot since it was a topic in the AFC West mailbag Wednesday: the Kansas City Chiefs should pursue Arizona receiver Anquan Boldin through a trade.
I know there has been some talk of the Chiefs potentially pursuing former Arizona running back Edgerrin James now that he is a free agent, but Boldin would provide a higher impact.
And it is completely feasible.
Boldin can likely still be had for a second-round pick after not being traded during the last weekend's draft. Kansas City has two second-round picks in 2010 as a result of the Tony Gonzalez trade to Atlanta last week.
Getting Boldin for the Gonzalez pick would make the trade of the future hall of fame tight end more palatable for Chiefs fans. Boldin would pick up the slack for Gonzalez in the passing game and he would give new Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel an excellent receiving tandem with Dwayne Bowe.
Kansas City has more than $30 million in salary cap room. It could easily give both Cassel and Boldin long-term deals and secure a high-powered offense for the long term.
Boldin played for new Kansas City coach Todd Haley, who was the offensive coordinator of the Cardinals. Yes, Haley and Boldin had a dispute in the NFC championship game, but they could co-exist again.
Haley knows how dynamic Boldin is and how he could help his team. Other than bringing in Cassel, the Chiefs haven't made a huge splash this offseason as the new era begins. Trading for Boldin would qualify.
ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
Weekend mail call:
David from Washington D.C.: Hey Bill, I'm a K.C. fan and native currently living in the nation's capitol. For the last several years Condi Rice has made it known that her dream job is AD at a major University or GM of an NFL franchise. Any behind the scenes rumblings that Rice might be in the running to fill King Carl's slot? The timing couldn't be better and my understanding has always been that the Bush and Hunt families had more than a cursory friendship. Seriously, could you imagine sitting across the negotiation table from a woman that stared down dictators over WMD? I'm not sure even Big Tuna or Al Davis would want to mess with that one...
BW: Perhaps. There have been reports this season that San Francisco could have an interest in Rice. But if she did end up in Kansas City, it would likely be as part of a package. The Chiefs have an opening for a football decision-maker. Because Rice is not experienced in that realm, it is highly unlikely any team would make her the top football decision-maker. She could come in in a business role or in a leadership role. If that happens, it certainly would be a lot of fun and historic watching the Chiefs build.
Billy from Okinawa, Japan: Hypothetical question. If the Chiefs are able to hire Scott Pioli, what would the chances be that he brings Matt Cassell in?
BW: I had fun with a blog post earlier this week in which I suggested the Chiefs hire Pioli and then he'd hire Patriots' offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Perhaps the two would sign Matt Cassel. Could it happen? I know this: Pioli will be considered in Kansas City and he should. He's the real deal.
Jason from Dublin: With Denver likely making a move on Haynesworth and Asomugha unhappy with Raider management, what are the chances of Denver getting both players in the offseason?
BW: Jason, I don't think any team would get both of these players. Both Haynesworth and Asomugha are once-a-decade acquisitions for an organization. It would be way too pricey. Plus, it's likely the only way Asomugha would be with another team in 2009 is if Oakland traded him. And it's unlikely the Raiders would ship him to their rival. However, the idea of seeing Haynesworth in Denver is much more realistic.
Terrell: In the offseason do you think the Arizona Cardinals release Edgerrin James and if so will the Broncos pursue him?
BW: Maybe. I think Denver would have been more apt to pursue Edgerrin James had he gotten his wish and been released earlier in the season by Arizona. During the offseason, Denver may look at other available veterans and, of course, it will look at rookie tailbacks again.
Matt from Santa Rosa, CA: So what are the chances exactly that the raiders will attempt a Chad Johnson trade?
BW: I don't know if you can put a percentage on it. But here are the reasons why Oakland will likely look at the idea: He will be available, the Raiders need a receiver and Al Davis loves playmakers. Johnson is a playmaker. It is definitely a fit Oakland could consider.
James would be a good fit in Denver
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
It's probably a moot point, but if Edgerrin James were to become free this season, the Denver Broncos would likely be interested.
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Denver liked James when he was a free agent in 2006 before he signed with the Cardinals. The team thought he would be a good fit for its zone-blocking scheme. Coupled with the Broncos' previous interest and the fact James would fit is that Denver has a need at running back.
The Broncos are on their fifth tailback because of injuries. Denver is using rookie fullback Peyton Hillis at tailback along with newly signed Tatum Bell, who was working at a Denver-area cell phone shop prior to signing last week. The Broncos feel like they can survive with Hillis and Bell (Selvin Young is trying to return from a groin injury he suffered seven weeks ago).
Still, if a reliable veteran tailback such as James became free, Denver would surely consider signing him for the stretch run. James wants out of Arizona because he has lost his playing time.
Arizona has been reluctant to accommodate him and it is highly unlikely it will change its mind. The Cardinals don't want James to go help another team it could meet down the road this season.
The Cardinals, though, will very likely part ways with James in the offseason. Would Denver be interested then? Well, the Broncos are always interested in running backs and it could look at James. But there is urgency now in Denver.
Denver could have other designs at the position in the offseason. The best bet for James landing in Denver would be now. He'd probability love it.
The problem is the Cardinals control the situation and James is likely not going anywhere right now.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Bill Williamson
Williamson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Denver Broncos for the Denver Post. He previously covered the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
