Roster

Seattle WR Billy McMullen, who came in and helped add some measure of stability to an injury-plagued position, was placed on the Seahawks' waived/injured list on Saturday.

The Seahawks listed the following players as inactive for Week 17 in Arizona: QB Jeff Rowe, K Brandon Coutu, QB Matt Hasselbeck, DB Jamar Adams, LB Letroy Hill, LB D.D. Lewis, DL Red Bryant and DL Brandon Miller.

The Packers signed safety Marviel Underwood and placed DT Colin Cole on injured reserve with an arm injury. They also signed cornerback Joe Porter to the practice squad and released safety Tristan Burge from the squad.

The Seahawks tabbed Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2009 draft, adding a significant piece to their run defense. Considered the most polished defensive player in the draft, Curry is physical enough to stop the run while versatile enough to handle opposing receivers and tight ends. The Seahawks are expected to line him up on the outside and use him on all downs. “He has a physical presence on the field at 6-2, 254 pounds, runs a 4.5 and you see the speed on the tape, versatility in terms of his coverage, he’s a good tackler and he’s a good blitzer. He’s the whole package for the linebacker position,” said Seattle GM Tim Ruskell.

On Tuesday afternoon, the NFL announced the suspensions for six players who violated the NFL's Policy on Anabolic Steroids and Related Substances. Those players are Saints RB Deuce McAllister, DE Will Smith and DT Charles Grant, Vikings DTs Pat Williams and Kevin Williams and Texans LS Bryan Pittman. All of these players are suspended through the end of the NFL's 2008 regular season and are eligible to return for the playoffs this year if their team advances that far. In a statement, the NFL said that "the players specifically violated a longstanding provision of the policy relating to the use of diuretics and water pills, which serve as masking agents for steroids and are potentially dangerous to the health of players. The policy states that the use of so-called 'blocking' or 'masking' agents, including diuretics and water pills, is prohibited and that a positive test will not be excused because it results from the use of a dietary supplement that unknowingly contained a banned substance. Supplements are not regulated or monitored by the government and players have been warned about the risks of supplement use."

QB Jeff Rowe, K Brandon Coutu, QB Matt Hasselbeck (3rd), SS Jordan Babineaux, SS Jamar Adams, LB Leroy Hill, LB D.D. Lewis and DT Red Bryant have all been listed as inactive for Week 16 against the Jets.

According to a report in The Sports Xchange, Seattle kicker Olindo Mare is in the final year of a two-year contract and would like an extension. Mare performed well last season with 102 points and made 24-of-27 field goals. However, the Seahawks have kept around last year's sixth-round draft choice Brandon Coutu, and the two will once again compete for the starting kicking job in 2009.

Seattle made its final cuts on Saturday in order to get its roster down to the requisite 53 players it is allowed. Among those cut were: DB Jamar Adams, QB Dalton Bell, DT Kevin Brown, WR Michael Bumpus, DB Marquis Floyd, DB Kelin Johnson, FB David Kirtman, TE Joe Newton, LB Dallas Sartz, WR Trent Shelton and DE Nu'u Tafisi.

Seahawks LB Lofa Tatupu (eight tackles), DB Kelly Jennings (seven tackles), DB Josh Wilson (six tackles, forced fumble) and DB Brian Russell (six tackled) did fine jobs in a Week 14 loss to the Patriots.

Seattle WR Ben Obomanu was placed on injured reserve one day after breaking his clavicle in the preseason finale against Oakland.

Seattle WR Courtney Taylor had two catches Week 16 against the Jets for 35 yards. Taylor had gone three games without making a single catch before the game against the Jets.

Seahawks DE Patrick Kerney had completed successful shoulder surgery this week. Kerney had arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder. The two-time Pro Bowler is expected to be sidelined until training camp begins in July 2009.

Shoulder - Probable for start of training camp

The Seahawks listed the following players as inactive for Week 17 in Arizona: QB Jeff Rowe, K Brandon Coutu, QB Matt Hasselbeck, DB Jamar Adams, LB Letroy Hill, LB D.D. Lewis, DL Red Bryant and DL Brandon Miller.

According to the team web site, Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck appears fully recovered from last year's back problem. "I felt fine before Christmas, maybe," Hasselbeck said. "Maybe after. I don't know. I'd be guessing. But a long time ago. I was close (at the end of last season)." Hasselbeck has reportedly looked great in offseason workouts. Coach Jim More isn't worried about his QB. "Sure, it creeps into the back of your mind on occasion because he missed a lot of games last year," Mora said. "Any time a guy is coming off that it creeps into your mind. But I think through the course of training camp and the preseason that that will go away."

The Seattle Times reports that Seahawks WR Logan Payne is likely done for the year with a torn MCL. He sustained the injury in a Week 2 loss to the 49ers.

The Seattle Seahawks and starting OLB Leroy Hill have reached agreement on six-year contract worth a guaranteed $15.5 million. The deal could potentially be worth $38 million. Hill became a free agent last weekend after the team dropped its franchise tag on him and Hill refused to sign an $8.3 million tender offer. Hill and the Seahawks were held up for days over contract language provisions related to any possible league discipline Hill may face from an offseason arrest in January in Georgia for misdemeanor marijuana possession.

The Jets signed WR Sloan Thomas and DE Darrell Adams to their practice squad on Wednesday.

The Seahawks have signed free agent tight end John Owens. He is a blocking specialist who played with Detroit last season. He was a fifth-round pick by the Lions in 2002. He has also played for Chicago, Cleveland and New Orleans. Owens has started 16 of his 60 NFL games.

The News Tribune reports Seahawks RB T.J. Duckett fulfilled his role last season as the team's short-yardage and goal line runner. He finished with only 172 yards, but totaled eight touchdowns. While satisfied with how he performed in a limited role last year, Duckett said Thursday that he's pleased with his expanded role in the new Seattle offense, thanks to being reunited with offensive coordinator Greg Knapp. Duckett had his best success since arriving in the NFL playing for Knapp-led offenses. In Knapp's first year in charge of the offense in Atlanta, Duckett averaged a career-high 4.9 yards a carry. At 6-foot, 254 pounds, Duckett will be the bruiser in Seattle's backfield combo, along with the more elusive Julius Jones.

According to a report, Seahawks WR Nate Burleson, who is still rehabilitating from reconstructive knee surgery, said it's important for him to come into camp in the best shape possible because of the competition at WR, along with the fact that he's in a contract year. Burleson can opt out of his contract after the 2009 season, reports FOXSports.com. "I don't think I can afford to relax too much," Burleson said. "There's too much at stake for this team, this organization. We're just trying to get our name back out there, trying to climb back to the top of the mountain. And for me as an individual, I want to go into this last year in the best shape of my career."

Knee - Questionable for start of training camp

Seattle LB Will Herring will get his second consecutive start at linebacker Week 17 with both Leroy Hill and D.D. Lewis out because of injuries.

Seattle made its final cuts on Saturday in order to get its roster down to the requisite 53 players it is allowed. Among those cut were: DB Jamar Adams, QB Dalton Bell, DT Kevin Brown, WR Michael Bumpus, DB Marquis Floyd, DB Kelin Johnson, FB David Kirtman, TE Joe Newton, LB Dallas Sartz, WR Trent Shelton and DE Nu'u Tafisi.

The Seattle Seahawks have signed seventh-round draft pick TE Cameron Morrah, the team announced Friday. Morrah was the third of three compensatory picks for Seattle (248th overall) in this April's draft out of California. Morrah is the fourth draft pick to sign this offseason.

Seattle made its final cuts on Saturday in order to get its roster down to the requisite 53 players it is allowed. Among those cut were: DB Jamar Adams, QB Dalton Bell, DT Kevin Brown, WR Michael Bumpus, DB Marquis Floyd, DB Kelin Johnson, FB David Kirtman, TE Joe Newton, LB Dallas Sartz, WR Trent Shelton and DE Nu'u Tafisi.

Seahawks DB Kelly Jennings (ribs) was activated for Week 5 at the N.Y. Giants. He had been listed as probable on the injury report.

Rutgers QB Mike Teel was selected by the Seahawks in the 2009 draft. Teel was an inconsistent passer in school but has a strong arm and a nice series of stats to back up his nice-sized frame. He set career highs as a senior with 3,418 passing yards and 25 touchdowns.

Deion Branch had his first workout, limited to position drills, this week -- his first practice of any kind with the team since the days leading into last season's finale Dec. 28 against Arizona. He then elected to have a second, clean-out surgery on his reconstructed left knee. What he called a "minor, routine" operation in early March was his second on the knee in 13 months since he shredded it making a cut on a snowy field at Green Bay in the playoffs in January 2008. Just because Branch is back on the field doesn't mean he's back to normal. As in, how he felt in 2006 when Seattle traded a first-round draft choice to New England to get the former Super Bowl MVP, and then signed him to a $39 million contract with $13 million guaranteed. That was before he destroyed his knee. "You will never be back to normal once you have this type of procedure done. I actually feel stronger, but it's not normal," said Branch, who turns 30 next month. "Something has been done that removed (parts) of my knee. My biggest thing is to continue to strengthen it."

Knee - Questionable for start of training camp

The Seattle Seahawks have signed fullback David Kirtman to a one-year contract. The Seahawks picked Kirtman in the fifth round of the 2006 draft, but released him after training camp last season. He played one game with the San Francisco 49ers in 2008.

The Seattle Times reports that undrafted free-agent fullback Tyler Roehl suffered a torn ACL during a non-contact practice this week and will be out for the entire 2009 season.

Knee - IR. Out for the season

Cory Redding arrived Monday at Seahawks headquarters to start offseason conditioning two days after Seattle traded Pro Bowl linebacker Julian Peterson to Detroit for him. Despite his billing, Redding does not see himself as a defensive tackle. He only played that role by necessity with the Lions. Redding gorged himself to get from 285 to 300 pounds in 2006, after injuries along Detroit's defensive line forced the Lions to move him inside from end. He said he will fit the Seahawks' vision of him being an end on first and second downs, as he was when Detroit drafted him. Redding said the Seahawks also told him to retain the versatility to move inside on third downs, to pass rush against slower guards.

Pro Bowl defensive end Patrick Kerney is out indefinitely and getting a second look at what's wrong with his surgically repaired shoulder. It's the latest in an epidemic of injuries for the teetering Seahawks. Coach Mike Holmgren said Friday morning on his radio show that Kerney is returning to Alabama to see Dr. James Andrews. Andrews is the surgeon who repaired torn labrum cartilage in Kerney's left shoulder after last season. The Seahawks' top pass rusher re-injured the shoulder in last weekend's win at San Francisco. Holmgren told KIRO he hoped to know when - or if - Kerney can play again this season by Tuesday.

Seahawks K Brandon Coutu, DB C.J. Wallace, RB Leonard Weaver, LB David Hawthorne, DL Red Bryant, DL Patrick Kerney and QB Charlie Frye have all been ruled inactive for Week 11 vs. Arizona.

After his release from the Panthers, CB Ken Lucas re-joined the Seahawks, signing a contract with them. He's expected to compete for a starting job with the club.

The Seahawks listed the following players as inactive for Week 17 in Arizona: QB Jeff Rowe, K Brandon Coutu, QB Matt Hasselbeck, DB Jamar Adams, LB Letroy Hill, LB D.D. Lewis, DL Red Bryant and DL Brandon Miller.

The Seattle Times reports that the Seahawks have signed WR Mike Hass to a two-year deal. Hass spent last season on the Bears' practice squad.

RB Julius Jones, RB Justin Forsett, Kevin Hobbs, FB Owen Schmitt and WR Jordan Kent all failed to record a stat Week 16.

Seattle DB Josh Wilson intercepted Brett Favre twice Week 16 to double his total picks on the season to four. Wilson also had a sack in the game and made five tackles.

Seahawks DL Baraka Atkins recorded his first two NFL sacks in a Week 14 loss to the Patriots.

The Seahawks listed the following players as inactive for Week 17 in Arizona: QB Jeff Rowe, K Brandon Coutu, QB Matt Hasselbeck, DB Jamar Adams, LB Letroy Hill, LB D.D. Lewis, DL Red Bryant and DL Brandon Miller.

According to a report in The Sports Xchange, Seattle kicker Olindo Mare is in the final year of a two-year contract and would like an extension. Mare performed well last season with 102 points and made 24-of-27 field goals. However, the Seahawks have kept around last year's sixth-round draft choice Brandon Coutu, and the two will once again compete for the starting kicking job in 2009.

Seattle DB Marcus Trufant had five tackles and an interception Thursday at Dallas.

The Seahawks have agreed to terms with seventh-round draft pick Courtney Greene. Agent Todd France confirmed in an e-mail to The Associated Press on Monday night that his client agreed to a four-year contract. Greene is a safety from Rutgers. He was an All-Big East Conference selection last season.

The Tacoma News Tribune speculates that because Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck was full-go in practice, including running around in drills and stretching with the team. Hasselbeck's focus is now aimed at learning the team's new offense under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp. "The (play)book is so thick," Hasselbeck said. "I think what we're trying to do now is just really install everything, see what works, see what fits the personnel. And Greg Knapp's kind of going 100 miles an hour teaching it, coaching it. We're just trying to learn it, practice it, get so it feels just like second nature."

Seahawks RB Julius Jones had just two carries for six yards in Week 17 in Arizona. He finished the season with just 698 yards, two touchdowns and four fumbles.

The News Tribune reports Seattle WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh is having a good offseason in his first year with the Seahawks. The report states: "Houshmandzadeh has picked up the offense well and developed some chemistry with (QB Matt) Hasselbeck."

Seahawks LB Lofa Tatupu (eight tackles), DB Kelly Jennings (seven tackles), DB Josh Wilson (six tackles, forced fumble) and DB Brian Russell (six tackled) did fine jobs in a Week 14 loss to the Patriots.

According to The Sports Xchange, Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck has been impressed with second-year TE John Carlson. "They're asking a lot more of him this year than they did last year," Hasselbeck said. "Last year he came in and we said, 'Well, maybe he could be the starting tight end. We'll see.' This year, on third down, he's not on the sideline, he's on the field. There are a lot of situations where in the past we've had a wide receiver out there, but now we're treating him as a threat in the passing game, and we're giving him opportunities to make plays, and he's done a great job."

According to a report on The Sports Xchange, Seattle rookie WR Deon Butler is having a good offseason. During minicamps and offseason workouts, Butler, a third-round draft choice by the Seahawks, has impressed his teammates by consistently getting behind the defense for long gains. Butler is a smaller guy (5-foot-10, 180 pounds), but he has the speed to make an impact offensively and in Seattle's return game.

Seahawks fullback Owen Schmitt has apologized for "poor judgment" after getting arrested in a Seattle suburb for investigation of drunken driving. Schmitt issued a statement Thursday apologizing "to the team, the NFL, the fans and my family and friends for my actions and poor judgment." Schmitt was arrested Saturday night in Black Diamond, southeast of Seattle, according to a news release from the Black Diamond police. The release said Schmitt was observed by an officer weaving on the roadway and following too close. After Schmitt's car was stopped, the officer noticed several signs of intoxication, including the smell of alcohol. Black Diamond police said Schmitt's blood alcohol level was above the legal limit in Washington of 0.08.

The Seattle Seahawks signed linebacker Lance Laury from the practice squad Saturday. Laury signed with the Seahawks on May 1 as an undrafted rookie free agent and has spent the entire season on the team's practice squad.

The Seahawks listed K Brandon Coutu, LB Leroy Hill, DL Red Bryant, WR Jordan Kent and DL Brandon Miller among their inactives for Week 15 at St. Louis.

Oregon DE Nick Reed was selected by Seattle in the 2009 draft. Reed has a good motor and is considered a pass-rushing specialist even with a 4.71 time in the 40-yard dash. He finished with a school-record 29.5 sacks, which ranks fourth in Pac-10 history. His 51.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage also is a school record.

The Seahawks listed the following players as inactive for Week 17 in Arizona: QB Jeff Rowe, K Brandon Coutu, QB Matt Hasselbeck, DB Jamar Adams, LB Letroy Hill, LB D.D. Lewis, DL Red Bryant and DL Brandon Miller.

The News Tribune reports Seattle coach Mike Holmgren could bring up Courtney Taylor or Michael Bumpus from the practice squad in Week 11. Both Taylor and Bumpus have spent time on the active roster this season. But Taylor was released and added to the practice squad after struggling early in the season, and Bumpus was released and added to the practice squad to make room for kick returner Justin Forsett.

The Chargers released five players on Tuesday to get their roster down to 75 players, notes the team's official website. Quarterback Casey Bramlet, WR Billy Pittman, TE John Tereshinski and WR Marco Thomas.

Seahawks DL Brandon Mebane totaled two tackles and one sack during a Week 11 loss to the Cardinals. He also had one forced fumble. Mebane now has four sacks in 10 games.

Over the last couple of days, the Raiders have released the following veterans: FB Justin Griffith, WR Ronald Curry, DE Kalimba Edwards and SS Gibril Wilson. All of the cuts were salary-cap based, and all of the players are now free agents.

Seattle DL Rocky Bernard totaled nine tackles to tie for the team lead on Sunday of Week 12 in a loss to the Redskins. He tied with Deon Grant with 9 tackles.

Seahawks DL Darryl Tapp totaled five solo tackles and one sack during a Week 11 loss to the Cardinals. He had two tackles for loss, one quarterback hit and one forced fumble.

Seahawks LB Lofa Tatupu (eight tackles), DB Kelly Jennings (seven tackles), DB Josh Wilson (six tackles, forced fumble) and DB Brian Russell (six tackled) did fine jobs in a Week 14 loss to the Patriots.