Sephiroth
March 18th, 2002, 9:32:41 PM
Two of the NFL's top free agents, cornerback Duane Starks and tight end Freddie Jones, have agreed to contract terms with the Cardinals.
Starks agreed to a five-year contract (pending a physical examination); Jones agreed to a three-year contract.
"Duane Starks was a top priority for us and a lot of other teams in free agency," offers Head Coach Dave McGinnis. "He fits into the plans I have to upgrade our defense. He sensed our excitement during his visit and he's going to be a very big part of it. He will enable us to do a lot of things defensively because of his ability to cover. He has displayed an ability in different zone defenses. He's also an excellent man-to-man player. He's going to add a lot of capabilities because what he does brings a whole lot of diversity to our defense."
"Freddie is a very talented young tight end. We require our tight ends to block and be pass-catching threats. Freddie brings both of these qualities to the Cardinals."
Starks joins Arizona after four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens where he collected 20 interceptions to tie Rod Woodson for the Ravens’ career lead.
As the Ravens' defense fueled their march through the 2000 playoffs, Starks pilfered three passes to lead the team in the postseason, including a 49 yard interception return for a touchdown in a 34-7 victory over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV.
In four NFL seasons, Starks has registered 175 solo tackles, 34 assists, 20 interceptions, and 87 deflected passes, an average of nearly 22 per season.
Starks was chosen in the first round (10th overall) by Baltimore in the 1998 NFL Draft out of the Unviersity of Miami. He tied for the NFL’s rookie interception lead with five in 1998. His 50 tackles and 17 pass deflections earned all-rookie notice by several media outlets.
He continued his production with 41 tackles and five interceptions in 1999, and 59 tackles and six pickoffs in 2000, including his impressive postseason play.
Starks agreed to a five-year contract (pending a physical examination); Jones agreed to a three-year contract.
"Duane Starks was a top priority for us and a lot of other teams in free agency," offers Head Coach Dave McGinnis. "He fits into the plans I have to upgrade our defense. He sensed our excitement during his visit and he's going to be a very big part of it. He will enable us to do a lot of things defensively because of his ability to cover. He has displayed an ability in different zone defenses. He's also an excellent man-to-man player. He's going to add a lot of capabilities because what he does brings a whole lot of diversity to our defense."
"Freddie is a very talented young tight end. We require our tight ends to block and be pass-catching threats. Freddie brings both of these qualities to the Cardinals."
Starks joins Arizona after four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens where he collected 20 interceptions to tie Rod Woodson for the Ravens’ career lead.
As the Ravens' defense fueled their march through the 2000 playoffs, Starks pilfered three passes to lead the team in the postseason, including a 49 yard interception return for a touchdown in a 34-7 victory over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV.
In four NFL seasons, Starks has registered 175 solo tackles, 34 assists, 20 interceptions, and 87 deflected passes, an average of nearly 22 per season.
Starks was chosen in the first round (10th overall) by Baltimore in the 1998 NFL Draft out of the Unviersity of Miami. He tied for the NFL’s rookie interception lead with five in 1998. His 50 tackles and 17 pass deflections earned all-rookie notice by several media outlets.
He continued his production with 41 tackles and five interceptions in 1999, and 59 tackles and six pickoffs in 2000, including his impressive postseason play.