Professor

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns

Seahawks sign OL Ashworth to potentially replace Hutchinson

By GREGG BELL, AP Sports Writer
March 24, 2006

SEATTLE (AP) -- Former New England Patriots tackle Tom Ashworth has agreed to a $13 million, five-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks.

Agent Tom Mills said Friday that Ashworth's deal includes a signing bonus and base salary totaling $4.5 million for 2006.

The Seahawks have yet to announce the agreement, pending Ashworth signing the contract and the league approving it.

The NFC champions were in need of a new offensive lineman after Pro Bowl left guard Steve Hutchinson signed with Minnesota on Monday.

The 6-foot-6, 305-pound Ashworth has started 30 games for the Patriots over the last three regular seasons. He has mostly been at right tackle since San Francisco signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2001, including in the Super Bowl three seasons ago.

But Mills said the Seahawks have left it "open to discussion" about Ashworth replacing Hutchinson at left guard. Seattle first contacted Ashworth after Hutchinson signed the Vikings' offer sheet March 12.

Mills said the Seahawks have told Ashworth they also might move right tackle Sean Locklear, a first-time starter last season, to left guard.

"They think he's one of their five best linemen," Mills said. "On the field, we're not sure where that's going to be."

Hutchinson's departure and Ashworth's arrival mark the end of the Seahawks' continuity on the offensive line -- which was a large reason for NFL MVP Shaun Alexander rushing for a league-best 1,880 yards last season.



Updated on Friday, Mar 24, 2006 4:30 pm EST

Professor

this is huge for those who were worried about SA's numbers sliding, everybody breathe a sigh of relief.

bigboy

From a FFB perspective it didn't really worry me that much, I expected a slide to about 20 TD's.

All in all this is a good move for them and they shouldn't really miss a beat.

stormdriver

Ashworth is not Hutch, but he's pretty darn close. Good move by the Hawks, add that to the list of good moves so far.

__________________






Idaho Vandals Fan
Green Bay Packers Fan

Professor

after starting out slow, the hawks have become one of the best FA teams this year.

MickeyG

This is a very good move for the Seahawks. The best part is they didn't give him to much money.

__________________

Professor

they gave everybody else they signed all the money.

MickeyG

true, but with all the over paying they did a great job siging him cheap.

__________________

bigboy

In Ashworth's case though they didn't really over pay, 5 years and 13 million isn't bad at all especially considering what Hutch got and Ashowrth is a worthy replacement IMO.