VIKINGS TRADE JAMES TO 'SKINS

As it turns out, the Minnesota Vikings didn't cut defensive end Erasmus James after all. Instead, the reported move was rescinded by the Vikings on Tuesday, and James has been traded to the Washington Redskins for a conditional seventh-round draft pick. "We really liked Erasmus coming out of college," executive V.P. of football operations Vinny Cerrato said. "He's young and talented, and he has a great deal of potential. We like the fact that his defensive line coach at the University of Wisconsin — John Palermo — is our current defensive line coach." James was a first-round pick of the Vikings in the 2005 draft.