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Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Kurt from parts unknown writes: I like Matt Williamson's analysis of our nose tackles. In fact, he might have been a bit too kind to Alan Branch. But I have a serious problem with his statement about the running backs -- that Edge and Tim Hightower are both "backups at best" and "a dime a dozen." I won't get into Edge's Hall of Fame candidacy [past accomplishments] or Hightower's starting-eight-games-as-a-rookie stuff [since the logical starting point for sports enthusiasts, paid professionals or not, is "Cardinals suck anyway."] That said --

	Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
	Running back Edgerrin James proved in the postseason that he still has value.

Edge averaged 3.9 yards a carry in the playoffs. Hightower averaged 3.8. By comparison, Willie Parker averaged 3.5, Brian Westbrook 2.4, and Willis Mcgahee 3.9. In the wild-card game, Edge outrushed Michael Turner 73 yards to 42 on two less rushes. Hightower scored in all three NFC playoff games. He touched the ball 8 times in the Cardinals final 14 plays in the NFC Championship, scoring the winning TD. Not a bad rookie effort for a guy who'll be lucky to make a team somewhere.

I agree that our running game needs an upgrade this season. The Texas Tech offense wasn't pretty in games 10-16. But these players deserve fair credit given their performances once we put the ball in their hands. 40-yard-dash times hold nothing over results on the field.

Mike Sando: The term "dime a dozen" is a relative one, of course. James and Hightower are NFL-caliber running backs. They simply aren't special, in Williamson's analysis. The Cardinals confirmed as much by removing both players from the starting lineup at various points last season.

As you noted, James proved during the postseason that he still has value. This was something I discussed Monday with Williamson's colleague, Jeremy Green.

Green: I don't think Edgerrin James is done. What about Tampa Bay? Tampa is a great fit for him. Cadillac [Williams] is coming off another knee injury. Edge would love to go home to Florida. I think Edge still has the value.

The thing about Shaun Alexander is that he was a horrible blocker and didn't catch the ball well. Edge doesn't have it as a runner, but there is a fit for him in an offense. He is a good route runner, good blocker, catches the ball well.

That is what Edge has to decide, whether he can play as a situational player. Can he still give you 20 [carries] for 95 [yards] every once in a while? Probably. Every once in a while, but not on a weekly basis. I definitely think he has strong value because he catches the ball well.

Quite a few running backs have extended their careers by becoming situational players. Marcus Allen is probably the most extreme example. He played from 1982 to 1997 and never had a 1,000-yard season after 1985. He played himself into the Hall of Fame with a productive five-year run in Kansas City to end his career.

I always thought Ricky Watters could have played three or four more years in a situational role. He wouldn't do it. Did it cost him the Hall of Fame?

Allen was 32 when he finished with the Raiders. He had 8,545 yards rushing and 97 total touchdowns, plus 446 receptions for 4,258 yards. Watters was 32 when he retired. He had 10,643 yards rushing and 91 total touchdowns, plus 467 receptions for 4,248 yards.

Allen added 3,698 yards rushing and 47 touchdowns in Kansas City. He caught an additional 141 passes for 1,153 yards. The Hall of Fame welcomed him in 2003.

James is younger now -- 30 -- than Allen was when he left the Raiders. He keeps himself in top condition. He has 12,121 yards rushing and 91 touchdowns, plus 430 receptions for 3,335 yards. His days as a featured back appear finished, but more teams are using two primary backs, anyway. That would seemingly give James additional opportunities to continue his career, provided he's willing to accept a situational role.