Seahawks Sign RB Duckett For 5 Years, TE Jeb Putzier For 1 Year

In an attempt to bolster a rushing attack that ranked 20th in the league last year, the Seattle Seahawks have signed unrestricted free agent running back TJ Duckett to a 5-year contract for an undisclosed amount. Duckett joins Shaun Alexander and Maurice Morris in the backfield for Seattle, where the rushing attack was once a strength but is now a liability.

Seattle signed running back Shaun Alexander to a 8-year $62 million contract on March 6, 2006, but since then he has been plagued by injuries and ineffectiveness, starting just 20 games since signing his big new deal, averaging just 3.51 yards per carry. Maurice Morris signed a 3-year $3.75 million contract on March 27, 2006, and was fairly productive in filling in for Alexander, but probably wouldn't be able to carry the load himself over a 16-game schedule. Per Mike Florio of PFT, rumors swirled around the combine that Alexander could be dumped sometime this offseason, and this latest signing could hasten his departure. Seattle could probably get at least the same production of last year if they burn a mid round draft pick on a new running back, and use a combination of Morris, Duckett, and aforementioned draft pick in 2008.

The Seahawks also announced the signing of tight end Jeb Putzier to a 1-year contract for an unspecified amount. Putzier will compete with Will Heller and presumably a draft pick for playing time in 2008.