Linebacker Keith Adams, who started all 16 games for the Eagles at weak-side linebacker last year, was in Tempe, Ariz., to meet with the Cards on Friday.

Edgerrin James ran off to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, agreeing to a four-year contract with one of the NFL's weakest teams. James, who became a free agent after seven seasons with the Colts, knew there was little chance he would return to Indianapolis when the season ended in a loss to Pittsburgh in the AFC divisional round. Last month, Colts president Bill Polian admitted he was taking a gamble by letting James hit the free-agent market. And now James is gone after setting team records for rushing attempts (2,188), yards (9,226) and touchdowns (64). Polian could have kept James by using the franchise tag on him for the second straight year. Instead, Polian, decided against the move, which would have increased James' salary next season to more than $10 million. That made James, a four-time Pro Bowl choice, one of the most attractive free agents available when free agency opened Saturday. "I'm happy for him," Colts coach Tony Dungy said in Indianapolis, where he was watching the Big Ten championship game when he was informed of the news. "He was fantastic for us the time we were here, we wish we could have kept him but you can't keep everyone."

More than $25 million under the salary cap, the Arizona Cardinals signed defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy to a four-year contract on Saturday. Financial terms were not disclosed, but Clancy reportedly received $8 million. Clancy, 27, started 15 of 16 games for the New York Giants last season, recording 39 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

The Cardinals? first step into free agency will apparently have an Edge to it. Despite numerous denials from the Cards that they would chase a big-name running back, multiple NFL sources confirmed Colts running back Edgerrin James ? arguably the biggest name on the free agent market ? is expected to visit Arizona today. Free agency began Friday night at 10:01 p.m. Attempts to reach vice president of football operations Rod Graves late Friday night were unsuccessful. James? agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not return a phone message.

When the free agent signing period begins on Saturday, the Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns are positioned to be major players. The NFL and the Players Association agreed to a six-year extension of the collective bargaining agreement on Wednesday. The deal instantly raised the salary cap from $94.5 million to $102 million. It also prevented an uncapped year in 2007. With the new figure, the Cardinals, Vikings and Browns are more than $27 million under the cap, giving them an opportunity to strike quickly in the free agent market.

The Army said Saturday it will launch a criminal investigation into the April 2004 death of Pat Tillman, the former professional football player who was shot to death by fellow soldiers in Afghanistan in what previous Army reviews had concluded was an accidental shooting. Col. Joseph Curtin, an Army spokesman, said the Defense Department office of inspector general had reviewed the matter at the Army's request and concluded that a criminal probe was warranted. Members of the Tillman family were notified on Friday, Curtin said. In the past, Tillman's father, Patrick Tillman, and other family members have criticized the Army and its investigations. "We are obligated to answer the family's questions, as we are with all grieving families," Curtin said.