Agent Jordan Feagan and a club official confirmed the accord. Financial details of the contract were not immediately available but it is believed to average about $2.5 million annually. Arizona had been very competitive in the bidding for Nickerson, the 13-year veteran who earlier this week signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Team officials said at the time the courtship of Nickerson was not a reflection of their regard for the 26-year-old McKinnon.

The former North Alabama standout was acquired by the Cardinals as an undrafted college free agent in 1996 and won a starting job in his second season. Although he has nine interceptions in his career, McKinnon is more noted as a run-stuffer and actually viewed as a liability in pass defense. He started all 16 games in 1999 and collected a team- and career-best 141 tackles. He also added two sacks.

In four seasons, McKinnon has appeared in 61 games, 45 of them as a starter. He has 34 tackles, four sacks and nine interceptions.