Seahawks secure Pro Bowl LB Tatupu with $42M contract

"I owe them a dinner, to say the least," Tatupu said, laughing.

As for the one Seahawk who might most need to restructure his contract to remain with the team, running back Shaun Alexander remains in a wait-and-see mode.

Jim Steiner, agent for the 2005 league MVP who has faded to the cusp of losing his job after two injury-filled and ineffective seasons, said Friday he and the Seahawks are continuing to discuss what might be next for the 30-year-old. In the past month, Seattle has signed free-agent running backs Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett, while Alexander and perennial backup Maurice Morris remain on the roster. Two weeks ago Steiner said he was to meet with the team to see what might be next for his client.

"There have been no decisions as of now," Steiner said by telephone Friday.

If he doesn't accept reduced pay, Seattle could cut Alexander on June 1 and spread the $6.9 million salary cap hit over two years. They could waive him before June 1 and swallow all that money this year. Or they could try to trade a runner whose value has never been lower immediately following his least productive season as a starter.

When asked for a best guess on where Alexander might play in 2008, Steiner said, "I'm not into the guessing game."

Ruskell said the team remains in constant talks with Alexander and has been forthright since last season ended on its plans to upgrade what was one of the league's worst running games.

"We are still in the process of going through that," Ruskell said when asked what options the team has with Alexander.

"I don't know that you ever have too many," running backs, Ruskell said. "And I don't know that we are in that situation.

"There has been no status change on anybody. We're still filtering through that."

Ruskell did acknowledge the sensitivity of demoting the league MVP and record holder for touchdowns from two seasons ago. Alexander was the franchise's centerpiece when Seattle gave him a $62 million, eight-year contract only 24 months ago.

"We're very cognizant of that. And Shaun has been kept abreast of everything we've done along the way," Ruskell said.

Alexander's current situation is a cold reminder that in the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately NFL, Friday's feel-good pronouncements cannot be guaranteed.

"This essentially makes him a Seahawk for life," Ruskell said of a deal that could last past when Tatupu turns 33.

"I'm going to end my career with the Seahawks," Tatupu said.

Maybe.