Caught up in the kind of free-agent spending spree in which the usually cap-strapped franchise has rarely been involved, the Minnesota Vikings continued their strong momentum on Friday, as ESPN.com confirmed the team has agreed to terms with defensive back Corey Chavous.

	Chavous

The former Vanderbilt star played the first four seasons of his career with the Arizona Cardinals, where he was a second-round pick in the 1998 draft.

Chavous, 26, will sign a four-year contract worth $7.5 million and the deal includes a $2 million signing bonus. He will join end Kenny Mixon and middle linebacker Henri Crockett as additions to the Minnesota defense since the free-agent signing period began earlier this month.

Under new coach Mike Tice, the Vikings are making a solid commitment to upgrade a defensive unit that often has been ignored in the past, and the team has the cap room this spring to bring in a number of starting caliber performers. Minnesota has been one of the most aggressive teams in the league to this point in pursuing and signing free agents.

It is not clear yet if Chavous will play cornerback or safety for the Vikings, but his acquisition certainly gives the Vikings plenty of options, and provides them a smart player with a love for the history of the game. Although he started 14 games at cornerback in 2001, many teams that were interested in Chavous this spring projected him as a safety.

Given his lack of make-up speed, safety may be his best position, but Chavous did play well on the corner last year. He is especially solid in run support, as reflected in his 71 tackles in 2001. A true student of the game, Chavous has a videotape library featuring over 500 wide receivers and dating back to players from 25-30 years ago. He particularly enjoys ESPN Classic because it gives him a chance to videotape wide receivers from a bygone era.

During his Cardinals tenure, Chavous played in 61 games and started 24 contests. He's recorded 174 tackles, five interceptions and 24 passes defensed.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.