The Cardinals on Monday signed four players who participated in their rookie mini-camp this past weekend, agreeing to terms with safety Eddie Elder, running back Javarris James, cornerback Larry Parker and kicker/punter Ricky Schmitt.
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Elder started 20 of 25 games in two seasons at Arizona State and totaled 130 tackles, three interceptions, seven passes defended, one sack and one forced fumble. In 2011, he recorded a career-high 66 tackles and four passes defended while starting 11 games. Prior to attending Arizona State, Elder played two seasons at the College of San Mateo (Calif.).
The 6-foot, 215-pound James joins the Cardinals after spending the 2010 season with the Indianapolis Colts. He played in 10 games with the Colts and led the team with six rushing touchdowns while totaling 112 yards on 46 carries and adding nine catches for 63 yards. James, the cousin of former Cardinals running back Edgerrin James, originally entered the NFL in 2010 as a rookie free agent out of Miami. He was released by the Colts on September 3, 2011, and was out of football last season.
The 5-foot-11, 176-pound Parker was a two-year starter at San Diego State, where he led the Aztecs with seven interceptions last season. He also set career highs with 65 tackles, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery as a senior. He enrolled at San Diego State after one year at Grossmont College.
The 6-foot-2, 217-pound Schmitt returns to the Cardinals after originally signing with the team as a rookie free agent in 2007. After spending time on practice squads with Pittsburgh and Oakland, he made his NFL debut with San Francisco in 2009. He was 2 for 3 on field-goal attempts that year and made both extra point attempts in his only game with the 49ers. Schmitt was out of football last season.
