By Eduardo Montes
The Associated Press

PHOENIX - The Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms Wednesday with two of the more attractive players left in the NFL's free-agent market - former Bengals quarterback Jeff Blake and Super Bowl MVP Dexter Jackson.

Blake, who played for Baltimore last season, will replace Jake Plummer, who left for Denver as a free agent. Jackson, who had two interceptions in Tampa Bay's Super Bowl victory, will be the new free safety.

Blake, who also has played for the New York Jets and New Orleans in an 11-year career, started the final 10 games for Baltimore last season, going 165-for-295 for 2,084 yards and 13 touchdowns after starter Chris Redman was injured.

"The commitment of the coaches and the organization make it a lot easier to make a decision," Blake said. "If you are unsure, then it's not the place to be, but the commitment was there."

He was signed over former Pittsburgh quarterback Kordell Stewart.

"All that stuff doesn't matter to me if I'm doing my job," Blake said. "Playing and doing the things that I'm supposed to be doing, all that stuff will take care of itself, so I'm not worried about things like that."

Coach Dave McGinnis said Blake's numbers speak for themselves.

"When you are with him and talk to him, the guy exudes confidence, and that's only going to help us," McGinnis said.

The Cardinals also signed linebacker James Darling and fullback James Hodgins to four-year contracts.

"We're excited about our acquisitions today," said Rod Graves, the Cardinals' vice president for football operations. "We got some quality people and some good football players. We're not through yet."

Jackson agreed to a five-year contract.

Jackson had a career-best 86 tackles last season and registered three interceptions and a fumble recovery as part of a Tampa Bay secondary that ranked first in the NFL in pass defense (155.6 yards per game) and led the league with 31 interceptions.

The Cardinals also signed former St. Louis Rams fullback James Hodgins to a four-year contract.

In addition to losing Plummer, the Cardinals lost top wide receiver David Boston to San Diego.

The 6-foot, 250-pound Darling has played six seasons in the NFL, four with the Philadelphia Eagles and the last two with the New York Jets.

He had 33 solo tackles, nine assists, one sack, two interceptions and three pass deflections. Hodgins played last season for the St. Louis Rams.

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