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The Arizona Cardinals on Friday met first-year coach Ken Whisenhunt's desire to add a physical, lead-blocking fullback, signing seven-year veteran Terrelle Smith, who had been recently released by the Cleveland Browns.

Smith

Smith, 28, signed a two-year contract, the financial details of which were not available.

In his seven seasons, Smith has blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher five times. The Browns released him earlier this month to avoid paying a roster bonus that Smith was due, and plan to use second-year veteran Lawrence Vickers, a sixth-round pick in 2006, as the starter.

Smith was also sought by the Green Bay Packers, but was believed to be leaning toward the Cardinals, in part because he played at Arizona State in college and also felt that Whisenhunt has designed an offense that fits his strengths.

A fourth-round choice of the New Orleans Saints in 2000, Smith moved to the Browns as a free agent in 2004, and has appeared in 107 games, with 68 starts. A pulverizing blocker, he is capable of knocking linebackers out of the hole and is regarded around the league as one of the NFL's best escorts for a tailback.

He is also a solid pass protector and proven receiver. Essentially, Smith is the prototype fullback given the way the position is currently defined.

Smith has logged only 57 carries for 182 yards and has yet to score his first touchdown on the ground. He has never carried 30 times in a season and in 2006, Smith registered only eight attempts. He has 58 career catches for 271 yards and three touchdowns.

Whisenhunt, who made good use of the fullback position when he was offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, has reiterated several times in recent weeks the need to add a lead blocker to help clear the way for tailbacks Edgerrin James and Marcel Shipp.

The Cardinals also signed defensive lineman Chris Cooper to two-year contract.

Cooper signed with Arizona in September after being released from the Seattle Seahawks and appeared in 13 games. He originally was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 2001 and spent three seasons as a Raider before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2004. Cooper, 29, was sent to San Francisco midway through the 2004 season and spent the 2005 season on 49ers injured reserve. He has appeared in 66 games and collected 129 tackles, 8.5 sacks, one interception, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.