Free agent running back Javarris James, the younger cousin of Edgerrin, was waived by the Colts last offseason following a June arrest for marijuana possession.

James received an invite to Cardinals rookie minicamp over the weekend on a tryout basis, though, and was officially added to Arizona’s 90-man offseason roster on Monday.

The Cardinals announced the additions of James, cornerback Larry Parker, kicker/punter Ricky Schmitt, and safety Eddie Elder.

Elder and Parker are undrafted rookies. Schmitt is a camp leg. James, 24, spent the 2010 season with Indianapolis, appearing in ten games. He managed just 112 yards on 46 carries (2.4 average), but scored six touchdowns operating as the Colts’ short-yardage and goal-line back.


(profootballtalk.com)

Javarris James has long admired his uncle, Edgerrin. He followed in Edge”s footsteps when he attended the University of Miami, and did it again when he played in 2010 with the Indianapolis Colts and now — at least potentially — has a chance to follow him with the Arizona Cardinals.

Javarris James is one of 16 players working with the Cards during minicamp on a tryout basis. The Cards could probably use another running back this offseason, with both Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams coming back from leg injuries. He gained 112 yards on 46 carries for the Colts a couple of years ago in 10 games, and even if he were signed would be an incredible longshot to make the roster.

But right now, that’s not what he’s thinking about.

“I feel like I’ve been through worse,” James said. “I’m just happy to have this opportunity. The decision isn’t up to me. I need to study my playbook and execute my assignments, and that’s all I can do.”

Edgerrin James’ time in Arizona ended bittersweet. Edge was benched for a chunk of 2008, although he was the main running back in the playoffs as the Cards made their memorable Super Bowl run. James was then released the following offseason when Wells was drafted. Still, Javarris said “when we have talked, he had nothing bad to say about Arizona.”

Javarris James said it was “kind of crazy” how he has followed Edgerrin to college and then to the Colts and now the Cards. “I’m just happy I have someone like that I can get advice from,” Javarris said. “I just want an oppotunity to showcase my skills and hopefully take advantage.”


(azcardinals.com)

One practice in — and with just rookies — it’s impossible to know what will happen with any of them.
“It was interesting,” coach Ken Whisenhunt of the Arizona Cardinals said. “The enthusiasm was great, the effort was great. I didn’t know quite what they were doing all the time.”

But it was clear Whisenhunt was enjoying the idea of being back on the field, in a totally teaching aspect, knowing that games are months away. That part of his job was lost last year with the lockout. “It makes you appreciate being on the field again,” Whisenhunt said.

There are nine “veterans” taking part, guys who were already on the team’s roster before the draft. That, Whisenhunt said, is everyone on the roster who is eligible to do so. There are others that wouldn’t mind getting the extra work, Whisenhunt said (and I’m sure the coaches wouldn’t mind it either), but the collective bargaining agreement won’t allow it.

The biggest name among the tryout players: running back Javarris James, who played for the Colts and who is the nephew of former Cardinals running  back Edgerrin James.


(azcardinals.com)

The Texans worked out former Colts RB Javarris James yesterday, per a league source. James seems to have left Houston without a contract. The Colts could have injury problems at running back as well with Joseph Addai nursing an injury which could bode well for James resigning with the Colts. We will keep you posted.

The Philadelphia Eagles cut rookie running back Graig Cooper. The Eagles are deep at the running back position, so look for Cooper to sign as a free agent with another team, he looked quite good this pre-season. The Eagles also cut WR Sinorice Moss. Moss had another great training camp, but was a victim of a deep crop of WRs. Moss has the talent and has shown it when given the opportunity and when healthy. WRs go down due to injury quite often, look for a team to pick him up.

The Miami Dolphins cut TE Dedrick Epps. Epps was cut last year as well but eventually made the Dolphins practice squad. Look for him to latch onto the practice squad again considering how thin the Dolphins are at the TE position.

WR Darnell Jenkins was cut by the New England Patriots. Most scouts seem to think he will find a spot on someone’s roster.

S Jared Campbell, brother of Arizona Cardinal Calais Campbell was cut by the Cardinals. Campbell played well in limited action in the preseason. He may be able to make a practice squad.

The New England Patriots, in a surprise move, cut safety Brandon Meriweather. Meriweather who has been to two consecutive Pro Bowls reportedly freelanced too much in the Patriot backfield and was underperforming. It’s not clear as to whether it was also money issue, but Meriweather is definitely still an elite talent at safety in the NFL. Look for teams thin at that position like the Dolphins and Chiefs to go after Meriweather.

Baraka Atkins LB/DE who had been signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason was cut as well. Atkins was one of the final cuts of the Denver Broncos last year after spending the beginning of his career with the Seahawks.

10-year veteran DL Damione Lewis was cut by the Houston Texans. Lewis was a late addition to the Texans squad last year and played very well both last year and this preseason. What didn’t help Lewis this year was the fact that the Texans changed to a 3-4 defense and Lewis is much better suite as a DL in the 4-3.

Brett Romberg who was a surprise signing by the Atlanta Falcons only a couple of days ago, after not playing at all during the 2010 season, was cut by the Falcons as concerns over their starting center’s health subsided. Don’t be surprised to see Romberg get signed if the Falcons sustain an injury there.

Running back Damien Berry was cut by the Ravens. Berry was slowed by an ankle injury that he suffered in the first game of the pre season, and as a result didn’t play until the fourth game. Berry has NFL skills. BERRY WAS SIGNED TO THE RAVENS PRACTICE SQUAD.

LB Tavares Gooden. Gooden was drafted by the Ravens to eventually replace Ray Lewis at the MLB position, but injuries have really slowed his career. Gooden, if healthy, can start for most NFL teams, but this pre season was no different as he continued to deal with injuries. THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SIGNED GOODEN TO A 1-YEAR DEAL.

Rookie defensive back Ryan Hill was waived by the Minnessota Vikings. Hill didn’t play a lot this pre season but when he did, like in the final pre season game for the Vikings, he performed well leading the team in tackles. The Vikings had Hill listed as a safety. He has the size and speed to play both corner and safety which gives him the type of versatility a lot of teams look for.

Javarris James, RB who led the Indianapolis Colts last year in rushing touchdowns after playing only about half the season was cut by the Colts.

Second-year defensive lineman Dwayne Hendricks who was on the NY Giants practice squad last year and was called up and played in a regular season game last year for the Giants was cut. Giants did have a very good pre-season. THE GIANTS SIGNED HENDRICKS TO THEIR PRACTICE SQUAD.

Rookie DB Corey Nelms was cut by the 49ers. Nelms was a surprise free agent signing and did get playing time in the preseason. THE 49ERS SIGNED NELMS TO THEIR PRACTICE SQUAD.

Rookie Fullback Patrick Hill was cut by the Tennessee Titans. Hill didn’t get any carries in the preseason for the Titans.

IMMOKALEE — In its third year, the now annual Edgerrin and Javarris James Youth Football Camp has grown every summer since its inception in 2009.

This year's edition, Monday at the Immokalee Sports Complex, was the biggest yet, and the namesake cousins were on hand again to give advice from their years of experience as NFL running backs. But no matter how big the camp gets -- and there were more than 1,000 kids this time around -– the Jameses want to make sure the event stays true to its mission.

“I wanted to make it a fun day,” said Edgerrin James, 11-year NFL veteran who last played in 2009. "It's structured to where we do some work, then have fun, then (get in) the pool. It's kind of a nice family atmosphere. For people that aren't from here, it's to make them feel welcomed. They can come to Immokalee and take part in everything just like they grew up here.”

“This is an opportunity for the kids in Immokalee to see what it takes to make it to the next level,” Javarris James said. “We're out there working with them, too. This is good for the town of Immokalee.”

A 1996 graduate of Immokalee High School, Edgerrin James started the camp two summers ago as a way to teach and mentor kids from his hometown. Since then, the youth camp has blossomed into a statewide event with buses bringing players in from as far as Orlando on Monday.
Players were put through drills, taught techniques, and got to compete in a flag football tournament. More than that, seeing the James cousins, who came from the same humble roots as the campers, served as inspiration for the participants.

The camp started with a morning ceremony in which Collier County commissioner Jim Coletta named the day in honor of Edgerrin James and the work he's done giving back to the area's youth.

“Whereas children are the future of Florida, and it is important to take action to ensure they are provided a positive start in life,” Coletta read from a written proclamation, “... and whereas NFL star Edgerrin James will share his love for football and teach fundamentals and communicate the importance of hard work and respect … we are pleased to welcome the inspiration for our youth for the third year in a row.”

Edgerrin James is 11th on the NFL's all-time rushing list, but his cousin Javarris might have drawn more attention Monday from the young campers. Last summer Javarris James was an undrafted free agent who was preparing for Indianapolis Colts training camp.

After starting the season on the New England Patriots' practice squad, James finished the year with the Colts – Edgerrin's former team – and scored six touchdowns in the final seven games.

When he arrived on the field Monday, the younger James was mobbed by younger players wanting to shake his hand and ask for an autograph.
“It's different this year from what it was last year for me personally,” Javarris James said. “Now I can actually say I've played in the NFL. All these guys have seen me on television, where last year I was just getting into it.”

NFL free agent running back Clinton Portis, a product of the University of Miami like the James cousins, was on hand at Immokalee on Monday. Fort Myers High grad and former NFL receiver Jammi German also worked the camp.

The players were split almost equally among high school, middle school and younger age groups. While the little ones learned fundamentals and techniques, the older players participated in a mini combine that tested their football skills, including the 40-yard dash.

The day ended with a cookout for the campers and their parents and a pool party at the Immokalee Sports Complex aquatics center.

The most popular part of the day, though, was the 7-on-7 games that came in the afternoon. Some players traveled to Immokalee specifically to compete against teams they wouldn't otherwise see.

“The kids love it,” Edgerrin James said. “They love that there are kids from other places. That's what they like the most because they get a chance to come out and compete, measure themselves up against each other. See where they stand. They're always looking forward to the flag football game at the end.”

Jameel Jackson, 17, came to the camp with four of his Fort Pierce Central teammates. He said he enjoyed learning from the pros, but the biggest reason his team was there was to test itself against other squads.

“We try to go to a lot of different camps,” Jackson said. “We came out here for the 7-on-7. It's what we're best at.”

Many of the high school players shared the same sentiment. Jimmy Bayes, a sophomore receiver who was one of more than two dozen Immokalee players at Monday's camp, said the Indians always look forward to the afternoon games.

“It's competition,” said Jimmy Bayes, 16, a sophomore wide receiver at Immokalee. “That's why you play football. It drives everybody.”

While Edgerrin and Javarris James emphasized their camp was all about fun, there were lessons the hosts hoped to impart on the youngsters.
By coming home to a small, often underprivileged Immokalee, the Jameses want to show the players that anything is possible with hard work and determination.

“Immokalee – this is the root of everything.” Edgerrin James said. “This is where I started out, where I played. If somebody like myself doesn't come back here, who will come here? It's just natural for me to come back here and give these guys the same opportunity I had or an even better opportunity than I had.

“For me, it's natural to come out here and be a part of something like this. I love dealing with the kids, I love having fun. This is easy. It's a matter of having a free schedule. This is where I want to be. I like dealing with these kids.”

Click here to order Edgerrin James’ proCane Rookie Card.


(naplesnews.com)

NAPLES — Former Immokalee High School football and NFL star Edgerrin James will host his annual football skills camp Monday at the Immokalee Sports Complex. The camp is free for children ages 6-18 and is co-hosted by James’ cousin and current Indianapolis Colts running back Javarris James.

“This is something that the community looks forward to every year,” Immokalee High head football coach Jerrod Ackley said. “I’m excited to be able to take part in it, and I know a lot of our kids are as well.”

This year’s camp will mark the third year that Edgerrin James, who last played in the NFL with Seattle in 2009, has hosted the camp free of charge. Registration is from 8-9:30 a.m. and the camp runs until 3:30 p.m.

“Some of the kids on our team have been going to this camp since they were in middle school,” Ackley said. “They get a chance to see Edgerrin and see that it’s possible to make it and be successful if you’re from Immokalee.”

Rodelin Anthony, a former high school teammate of Javarris James who attended the University of Nevada-Las Vegas to play football, will be working at the event for the first time. He said he’s excited to get a chance to be part of an event he’s heard so much about.

“This isn’t just about the kids, it’s about the whole city of Immokalee coming together,” Anthony said. “It’s a huge event that everyone looks forward to and it’s a great thing.”

After the camp ends, James and the city of Immokalee host a pool party and barbeque from 3:30 to 8 p.m. at the Sports Complex. Last year, 1,100 children participated in the camp.

According to James’ foundation website, the camp will include other NFL players and members of NFL coaching staffs. On Sunday, Javarris James said on his Twitter feed that Sam Shields, a former University of Miami teammate who is a cornerback for the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, and Jeremy Ware, a defensive back for the Oakland Raiders, would be at the camp.

Campers are broken down and placed into groups based on age, size and skill level. The camp emphasizes basic fundamentals and skill development. In addition to football fundamentals, teamwork, sportsmanship and educational life skills are also emphasized.

Prior to the start of the camp, James will be honored by Collier County Commissioners who will proclaim Monday “Edgerrin James Day” in the county.

District 5 Commissioner Jim Coletta also will present a proclamation to James. The ceremony is scheduled for 8:15 a.m.

Click here to order Edgerrin James’ proCane Rookie Card.


(naplesnews.com)

Javarris James has gone from locked out to briefly locked up.

James, a former Immokalee High football star and current Indianapolis Colts running back, was arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession Thursday in Fort Myers during a routine traffic stop. He is scheduled to appear in court June 28 after posting $1,000 bond on one count of possessing less than 20 grams of marijuana.

Fort Myers police officers pulled over the 23-year-old at about 6:45 p.m. over concerns about the level of tint on his windows. Upon approaching James’ black Audi, officers smelled marijuana and found several pieces of pot on the floorboard between the passenger seat and the center console, according to the arrest report.

The report states James had 0.4 grams of marijuana in his car.

Online records show he was booked about 9:30 p.m. Thursday and released on bond one hour later.

With the National Football League owners and players at odds over a new collective bargaining agreement, players have been locked out since March. In past years, the Colts have scheduled offseason minicamps intermittently throughout May and June, sessions that aren’t taking place during the lockout.

Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney told the Associated Press that some of the team’s players are gathering for private workouts, but it isn’t known whether James is included in the group.

James followed in the footsteps of his cousin, Edgerrin James, who also played at Immokalee, Miami and for the Colts.

After going undrafted out of the University of Miami in 2010, James signed a free-agent deal with the Colts.

Indianapolis cut James before the season’s start but signed him for the final 12 games of the year after injuries depleted its backfield. He carried 46 times for 112 yards and six touchdowns, recording a pair of scores twice during the season.

At Miami, James rushed for 2,162 yards and 18 touchdowns, though his best season came as a freshman with 802 yards. James led Immokalee in 2004 to a state title under head coach John Weber.

“I am extremely disappointed,” Weber said Friday of James’ arrest. “I would have never expected this to happen but I guess a lot of things happen.”

Indianapolis Colts officials could not be reached for comment Friday, though NFL teams haven’t been commenting on player arrests during the lockout.

The arrest report lists a local Fort Myers address for James. He could not be reached for comment Friday.


(naplesnews.com)

Registration is now open for the third annual Edgerrin and Javarris James Youth Football Camp on Monday, July 25 at the Immokalee Sports Complex.

The inaugural camp in 2009 drew 400 youngsters. There were 500 last year. Registration is from 8 to 9:30 a.m. The free camp is in conjunction with Collier County Parks and Recreation, as well as the Edgerrin James Foundation. The camp is from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and for ages 6-18. Instructors include some of the best players from college and the NFL, as well as members of NFL coaching staffs.

Among those who have helped out over the past two years are sports agent Drew Rosenhaus, former NFL players Robert Bailey, Jammi German and current running back Clinton Portis.

Click here to order Edgerrin James’ proCane Rookie Card.


(immokaleetoday.com)

Welcome to our 1st annual and long overdue proCane Rankings where we look back at the 2010 NFL season and rank the 43 proCanes that took snaps in 2010 (except for Sinorice Moss who was placed on IR before the start of the season).

Stay tuned as we countdown from number 43 to number 1. Our rankings are based on each player’s performance last year. In August we’ll go ahead and re-rank the player’s based on our 2011 expectations. For now read our review of each player’s 2010 season and where they rank overall. Enjoy!

To read our rankings of players 43-35, click here.

To read our rankings of players 34-26, click here.

To read our rankings of players 25-16, click here.

15. Jon Vilma MLB New Orleans Saints: Vilma was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl after a solid 2010 season where he posted over 100 tackles for the third consecutive season and a career high four sacks. Though Vilma did post the fewest tackles of his seven-year career (105), besides his 2007 season where he only played in seven games, the Saints’ defense was riddled with injuries in 2010, and Vilma did not miss a game and anchored the defense. Look for Vilma to continue to be the quarterback of the Saints defense in 2011 and as that defense gets healthier and gains more experience, Vilma will continue to flourish.

14. Greg Olsen TE Chicago Bears: Coming into the 2010 season there were fears that Olsen would not be utilized in Mike Martz’s wide open offense and the Bears actually almost traded Olsen before the start of the 2010 season despite public comments by Head Coach Lovie Smith and Martz that Olsen would be used in the spread offense. Olsen statistically didn’t have a bad season as he posted 41 receptions for 404 yards, the lowest since his rookie season, but more concerning was the fact that in seven games Olsen had either only reception (5 games) or no receptions (2 games). Olsen had his best game of the season in the first round of the playoffs versus the Seahawks where he posted 113 yards receiving, 58 of those coming on one play, but it showed that he could be a threat in that offense if correctly utilized. With one season under his belt it will be interesting to see if Martz can figure out a way to incorporate or Olsen, though the trade rumors continue to persist.

13. Javarris James RB Indianpolis Colts: James was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts right after last year’s draft and by the time Week 5 rolled around he was signed to the Colts’ active roster. James had previously been on the Patriots and Redskins practice squads. Though James did not put up huge numbers, 112 yards rushing on 42 carries, the fact that he made the active roster of the Colts and scored six TDs last season, more than any other proCane runningback, merits him being ranked as a top 15 proCane performer for 2010. James will have an uphill battle to earn a roster spot on the Colts next season as he was inactive for the last two games of the regular season and playoff game, but he very well may be signed by another team due to his tough redzone running.

12. Jon Beason LB Carolina Panthers: Beason had started at MLB for the Panthers the last 3 seasons and coming into 2010 put the team first and agreed to start at the RLB spot. Beason who has yet to miss a game in his four-year career took some time to get acclimated to his new position and was not having as large of an impact defensively for the Panthers. In Week 10, Beason moved back to the middle and 2 weeks later made his presence felt with an interception versus the Cleveland Browns. Beason is too good to not be the starting MLB and it seems like the Panthers have realized that, and he should resume his duties in the middle of the defense in 2011.

11. Kellen Winslow TE Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Winslow finished the 2010 by playing all 16 games for the second consecutive season and though his numbers weren’t as good as his 2009 numbers, his first season in Tampa, Winslow was still a threat down the middle of the field for the Bucs. Winslow had a career high 5 TDs to go along with his 730 yards receiving and as the season progressed became a more consistent option for Tampa QB Josh Freeman culminating in a 7 reception for 98 yards and 2 TDs performance in Week 15. Winslow has already said he expects big numbers in 2011, and though at times he was not able to practice due to injury, he didn’t miss a game and played with his usual fire all season long.

10. Antonio Dixon DL Philadelphia Eagles: Dixon was a surprise contributor to the Eagles’ defensive line in 2009 as an undrafted rookie free agent signing. He suited up for 16 games and became a vital cog in the Eagles’ defensive line versus the run that year. In 2010, due to injury Dixon received extensive playing time in Week 5 versus the 49ers where he recorded his first sack of the season and ended up starting the rest of the way for Eagles totaling 30 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 pass deflections. Dixon has been a very pleasant surprise for the Eagles and a great personal story as well, overcoming learning disabilities and controlling his weight. Look for Dixon to start for the Eagles next season and continue to excel versus the run and improve his game on passing downs.

9. DJ Williams LB Denver Broncos: Playing in the 3-4 for his second consecutive season DJ Williams looked even more comfortable totaling 119 tackles. Williams also became much more involved in the passing game as he had a career high 9 pass deflections and more impressively 5.5 sacks. The Broncos began to blitz Williams more in passing situations and as a result he led the Broncos in sacks last season as well as tackles by a wide margin. The only knock on Williams is his off the field problems where he was accused of a DUI for the second time in his career and lost his captaincy as a result as well as his driver’s license for a year. Rumors have circulated that Williams is on the trading block but if he isn’t traded he will have to get used to playing in the 4-3 defense at the weak-side linebacker spot as the Broncos are changing their defense, again.


Check back tomorrow to see which proCanes were ranked 8th through 1st!

6 proCanes made early exits out of the NFL playoffs after he wildcard round this weekend.

Reggie Wayne (Colts), Javarris James (Colts), Jon Vilma (Saints), Jimmy Graham (Saints), Jeremy Shockey (Saints), Antonio Dixon (Eagles) all lost their respective games and will start their offseason.

Below are the remaining proCanes in the NFL playoffs.

AFC: Ed Reed (Ravens), Ray Lewis (Ravens), Tavares Gooden (Ravens), Willis McGahee (Ravens), Brandon Meriweather (Patriots), Vince Wilfork (Patriots).

NFC: Kelly Jennings (Seahawks), Spencer Adkins (Falcons), Devin Hester (Bears), Greg Olsen (Bears), Sam Shields (Packers).

It's just been a matter of getting the 45-man roster set. I believe we're carrying five backs right now. Javarris is healthy. Mike (Hart) has been healthy. Mike practiced full last week. He's healthy. We have to select 45 players who can be active on Sunday. Javarris played well on (special) teams and in goal-line situations. He's a really tough guy, but we've opted in the last few weeks to go with Joseph (Addai), since he's back healthy; Donald (Brown) and Dominic (Rhodes). We can only dress three in balancing out the roster. Those are some of those decisions that Coach and the staff struggle with during the week in terms of who you want your backups to be and who's going to contribute on the most special teams. But now that we're back at full health, we're kind of going with the guys who started the season for us.

Click here to order Javarris James’ proCane Rookie Card.



(colts.com)

17 proCanes will participate in the 2010 NFL playoffs. 8 from the AFC and 9 from the NFC. Below is a list of the players.

AFC: Reggie Wayne (Colts), Javarris James (Colts), Ed Reed (Ravens), Ray Lewis (Ravens), Tavares Gooden (Ravens), Willis McGahee (Ravens), Brandon Meriweather (Patriots), Vince Wilfork (Patriots).

NFC: Kelly Jennings (Seahawks), Jon Vilma (Saints), Jimmy Graham (Saints), Jeremy Shockey (Saints), Antonio Dixon (Eagles), Spencer Adkins (Falcons), Devin Hester (Bears), Greg Olsen (Bears), Sam Shields (Packers).