Cards agree to deal with free-agent RB JamesESPN.com news services

The Cardinals made a big splash in the free-agent market Sunday, agreeing in principle to a contract with running back Edgerrin James, a source close to the team told ESPN.com.

James' deal is for four years, the Arizona Republic reported, although financial terms were not immediately available.

The Colts, who believed they had a "50-50" chance of retaining the two-time rushing champion, were faced with salary-cap restrictions.

Along with league MVP Shaun Alexander, who re-signed with the Seahawks, and Jamal Lewis, who helped lead Baltimore to a Super Bowl title, James was one of the top running backs on the market.

Colts president Bill Polian could have kept James by using the franchise tag on him for the second straight year after receiver Reggie Wayne agreed to a new six-year, $39 million contract. The Colts also signed defensive lineman Raheem Brock to a five-year deal Friday.

Instead, Polian decided against using the tag, which would have increased James' salary next season to more than $10 million.

In recent months, James said he believed his tenure in Indianapolis was over. At the Super Bowl, he said he hoped to play for a team that wanted him.

James holds Colts franchise records for attempts (2,188), yards (9,226) and touchdowns (64). Indianapolis has reached the playoffs six times in James' seven seasons, missing the postseason in 2001 when James sat out the final 10 games after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.