"For the second straight year, the Eagles opened free agency by signing a player coming off major knee surgery.

Defensive back Marlin Jackson and the Eagles came to terms yesterday on a two-year deal loaded with incentives. While they took a bit of a gamble last season when they signed offensive lineman Stacy Andrews to a long-term deal, the Eagles were cautious in signing Jackson.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman called it a "risk-reward" addition, but most of the $6 million Jackson could earn over two years hinges on his health and whether he starts.

Jackson tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a practice last October, thus ending his season with the Colts. He also tore the ACL in his right knee the year before.

"I've had outstanding rehabs in both of my legs, and this one right here is ahead of schedule, a lot better than my last one was," Jackson said.

Still, it's not as if Jackson was some hot free agent commodity. Indianapolis didn't tender its 2005 first-round draft pick, making Jackson an unrestricted free agent. And his only other visit was with Baltimore on Tuesday. He was nearly out the NovaCare Complex doors and on his way to meet with the Jets yesterday afternoon before the Eagles called him back.

Until Jackson, the Eagles were bystanders in free agency, and most of the top unrestricted free agents were snatched up in the first two days.

Because of the new uncapped rules, the unrestricted field of free agents is smaller and with older players. And that's why, Roseman said, the Eagles have been reluctant to overspend on free agents as they have in the past (e.g. Jevon Kearse and Asante Samuel).

Last year, the Eagles were part of the early free-agent spending spree when they signed Andrews. Even though he was just 31/2 months removed from an ACL tear, Andrews garnered a six-year, $38.9 million contract. He hardly played last season, however, and he agreed to take a pay cut on Monday.

"In terms of Marlin, we thought it was a different situation," Roseman said, "because he had an ACL in the past, he recovered really well and you get to this point and you see the talent.""