Super Bowl MVP, Ex-Ram FB Sign With Cards As Free Agents FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Wednesday, March 12, 2003Tempe, Arizona - Super Bowl XXXVII
most valuable player Dexter Jackson,whose two first-half interceptions
against the Oakland Raiders led theTampa Bay Buccaneers to their first NFL
championship six weeks ago, andfullback James Hodgins, a two-year
starter for the St. Louis Rams, haveagreed to five- and four-year contracts
with the Arizona Cardinals.In 2002, his second season as a starter,
Jackson registered acareer-best 86 tackles with 3 interceptions, 1 fumble
recovery, and 10pass deflections to key a Buccaneer secondary that
ranked first in theNFL in pass defense (155.6 yards per game) and led the
league with 31interceptions.Following his career as a two-year starter
at Florida State, the 6-1,203-pound safety was selected by Tampa Bay in
the fourth round (113thoverall) of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played
primarily on special teams asa rookie, saw increased action from scrimmage
in 2000, then was insertedinto the starting lineup in 2001, recordinf 78
tackles, 4 interceptions,11 pass deflections, 2.5 quarterback sacks,
and 2 forced fumbles.In his four-year pro career, Jackson owns
regular-season statistics of195 total tackles (139 solos), 4 interceptions, 2
forced fumbles, 1fumble recovery, and 26 pass deflections.Considered one
of the best lead blockers in the NFL, the 6-1, 270-poundHodgins started
20 of 55 games for the Rams and in 2001 was integral tothe success of
running back Marshall Faulk, the NFL offensiveplayer-of-the-year, and
quarterback Kurt Warner, the league mostvaluable player.Signed by St.
Louis as a free agent in 1999 following his college careeras a four-year
starter at San Jose State, Hodgins played 15 games as arookie and
appeared in the Rams' three-game postseason games, includinga 23-16 win over
Tennessee in Super Bowl XXXIV. After starting twocontests in 2000,
Hodgins opened at fullback in 10 of 16 games in 2001and only eight of nine
last year due to a foot injury. He made hissecond Super Bowl
appearance in the Rams' 20-17 loss to New England inSuper Bowl XXVI.He owns
career totals of 13 rushing attempts for 25 yards and onetouchdown and has
caught 21 passes for 111 yards and one score.Additionally, two
returning veterans, fullback Dennis McKinley andrunning back Travis Prentice,
have agreed to two- and one-yearcontracts, respectively.- cards -
RELEASE Wednesday, March 12, 2003Tempe, Arizona - Super Bowl XXXVII
most valuable player Dexter Jackson,whose two first-half interceptions
against the Oakland Raiders led theTampa Bay Buccaneers to their first NFL
championship six weeks ago, andfullback James Hodgins, a two-year
starter for the St. Louis Rams, haveagreed to five- and four-year contracts
with the Arizona Cardinals.In 2002, his second season as a starter,
Jackson registered acareer-best 86 tackles with 3 interceptions, 1 fumble
recovery, and 10pass deflections to key a Buccaneer secondary that
ranked first in theNFL in pass defense (155.6 yards per game) and led the
league with 31interceptions.Following his career as a two-year starter
at Florida State, the 6-1,203-pound safety was selected by Tampa Bay in
the fourth round (113thoverall) of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played
primarily on special teams asa rookie, saw increased action from scrimmage
in 2000, then was insertedinto the starting lineup in 2001, recordinf 78
tackles, 4 interceptions,11 pass deflections, 2.5 quarterback sacks,
and 2 forced fumbles.In his four-year pro career, Jackson owns
regular-season statistics of195 total tackles (139 solos), 4 interceptions, 2
forced fumbles, 1fumble recovery, and 26 pass deflections.Considered one
of the best lead blockers in the NFL, the 6-1, 270-poundHodgins started
20 of 55 games for the Rams and in 2001 was integral tothe success of
running back Marshall Faulk, the NFL offensiveplayer-of-the-year, and
quarterback Kurt Warner, the league mostvaluable player.Signed by St.
Louis as a free agent in 1999 following his college careeras a four-year
starter at San Jose State, Hodgins played 15 games as arookie and
appeared in the Rams' three-game postseason games, includinga 23-16 win over
Tennessee in Super Bowl XXXIV. After starting twocontests in 2000,
Hodgins opened at fullback in 10 of 16 games in 2001and only eight of nine
last year due to a foot injury. He made hissecond Super Bowl
appearance in the Rams' 20-17 loss to New England inSuper Bowl XXVI.He owns
career totals of 13 rushing attempts for 25 yards and onetouchdown and has
caught 21 passes for 111 yards and one score.Additionally, two
returning veterans, fullback Dennis McKinley andrunning back Travis Prentice,
have agreed to two- and one-yearcontracts, respectively.- cards -
