The Arizona Cardinals made it official on Tuesday, parting ways with former Pro Bowl running back Edgerrin James.

The 31-year old running back had brief moments of hope in Arizona's Super Bowl, but mostly was a shell of his formerself in 2008. James ($5 million salary) arrived in Arizona in 2006 as the highest-paid free agent signing in team history, and rushed for more than 1,000 yards his first two seasons. But his role was reduced with the presence of Tim Hightower last season, he didn't play for three games and finished with a career-low 514 yards rushing.

Once the Cardinals drafted Ohio State's Chris "Beanie" Wells in the first round, James' fate was sealed.

Look for a few teams to look at James as a potential backup to work in the mix at running back, but a starting job seems highly unlikely. With over 12,000 carries to his credit, James simply has too much mileage and no longer possesses the speed and quick-cutting ability that made him so good in his prime with the Colts.

It's going to be real interesting this summer to watch how the backfield battle shakes down in the desert between Hightower and Wells. Look for both to see plenty of action in 2009.

Fantasy Football, NFL cardinals, edgerrin james, beanie wells, tim hightower, chris wells