Super Bowl MVP, Ex-Ram FB Sign With Cards As Free Agents
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
Tempe, Arizona — Super Bowl XXXVII most valuable player Dexter Jackson, whose two first-half interceptions against the Oakland Raiders led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their first NFL championship six weeks ago, and fullback James Hodgins, a two-year starter for the St. Louis Rams, have agreed to five- and four-year contracts with the Arizona Cardinals.
In 2002, his second season as a starter, Jackson registered a
career-best 86 tackles with 3 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, and 10 pass deflections to key a Buccaneer secondary that ranked first in the NFL in pass defense (155.6 yards per game) and led the league with 31 interceptions.
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 (113th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played primarily on special teams as a rookie, saw increased action from scrimmage in 2000, then was inserted into 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 of 195 total tackles (139 solos), 4 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 26 pass deflections.
Considered one of the best lead blockers in the NFL, the 6–1, 270-pound Hodgins started 20 of 55 games for the Rams and in 2001 was integral to the success of running back Marshall Faulk, the NFL offensive player-of-the-year, and quarterback Kurt Warner, the league most valuable player.
Signed by St. Louis as a free agent in 1999 following his college career as a four-year starter at San Jose State, Hodgins played 15 games as a rookie and appeared in the Rams’ three-game postseason games, including a 23–16 win over Tennessee in Super Bowl XXXIV. After starting two contests in 2000, Hodgins opened at fullback in 10 of 16 games in 2001 and only eight of nine last year due to a foot injury. He made his
second Super Bowl appearance in the Rams’ 20–17 loss to New England in Super Bowl XXVI.
He owns career totals of 13 rushing attempts for 25 yards and one touchdown and has caught 21 passes for 111 yards and one score.
Additionally, two returning veterans, fullback Dennis McKinley and
running back Travis Prentice, have agreed to two- and one-year
contracts, respectively.
— cards —
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
Tempe, Arizona — Super Bowl XXXVII most valuable player Dexter Jackson, whose two first-half interceptions against the Oakland Raiders led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their first NFL championship six weeks ago, and fullback James Hodgins, a two-year starter for the St. Louis Rams, have agreed to five- and four-year contracts with the Arizona Cardinals.
In 2002, his second season as a starter, Jackson registered a
career-best 86 tackles with 3 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, and 10 pass deflections to key a Buccaneer secondary that ranked first in the NFL in pass defense (155.6 yards per game) and led the league with 31 interceptions.
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 (113th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played primarily on special teams as a rookie, saw increased action from scrimmage in 2000, then was inserted into 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 of 195 total tackles (139 solos), 4 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 26 pass deflections.
Considered one of the best lead blockers in the NFL, the 6–1, 270-pound Hodgins started 20 of 55 games for the Rams and in 2001 was integral to the success of running back Marshall Faulk, the NFL offensive player-of-the-year, and quarterback Kurt Warner, the league most valuable player.
Signed by St. Louis as a free agent in 1999 following his college career as a four-year starter at San Jose State, Hodgins played 15 games as a rookie and appeared in the Rams’ three-game postseason games, including a 23–16 win over Tennessee in Super Bowl XXXIV. After starting two contests in 2000, Hodgins opened at fullback in 10 of 16 games in 2001 and only eight of nine last year due to a foot injury. He made his
second Super Bowl appearance in the Rams’ 20–17 loss to New England in Super Bowl XXVI.
He owns career totals of 13 rushing attempts for 25 yards and one touchdown and has caught 21 passes for 111 yards and one score.
Additionally, two returning veterans, fullback Dennis McKinley and
running back Travis Prentice, have agreed to two- and one-year
contracts, respectively.
— cards —
