[2] His career was endangered by a serious knee injury suffered in the first preseason game of the 1997 season.

The Broncos were the NFL champions of the 1998 season after winning Super Bowl XXXIII against the Atlanta Falcons.

In the 1999 season, after he accumulated 33 tackles and five interceptions, the Broncos made no effort to re-sign James.

However, after the 2002 season, the Raiders (after eight interceptions in three years) left James unprotected again, and he signed a four-year, $14 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.

[3] 2004 proved to be James' best professional season, as he intercepted eight passes, notched 56 tackles, and forced two fumbles.