EDGERRIN REITERATES REQUEST TO BE RELEASED

A league source tells us that, on Monday, Cardinals running back Edgerrin James reiterated his request to be released by the team. James made a similar request during the 2008 season, after he was benched. But the team opted to retain his rights. In the end, the Cardinals re-inserted James into the lineup for the playoffs. He gained 236 yards rushing in four postseason games. But with James having a $5 million salary and a $6.75 million cap number for 2009 and the Cards having a budding star in Tim Hightower, it’s unlikely that the franchise will keep Edgerrin around. Obviously, James prefers to hit the market sooner rather than later, in order to maximize his chances of landing elsewhere. It also makes a lot of sense to be available early in the free-agency period, when the big money is flowing. That said, we’re told that the team has not yet agreed to release James, and that the team has committed only to doing what’s best for the team. Though the Cardinals already have more than $40 million in cap space, a move that would create an extra $5 million could come in handy, especially since the cap bulge could go quickly with players like Kurt Warner, Karlos Dansby, Bertrand Berry, and Antonio Smith possibly doing new deals with the team. One very intriguing potential destination for James would be Indianapolis. With Dominic Rhodes’ contract expiring, the Colts will need someone to share touches with Joseph Addai. And with James gradually climbing the all-time rushing list, it would be fitting to see him leapfrog guys like Jim Brown and Tony Dorsett while wearing a horseshoe on his helmet.