Seahawks sign Giacomini to a two-year contract extension

SEATTLE — Breno Giacomini started the Seahawks’ first game of the 2011 season at right tackle, as well as the final seven, a reminder of just how valuable good backup linemen can be.

And by signing Giacomini to a two-year contract extension, the Seahawks showed they recognize the tackle’s value even if he doesn’t necessarily project as a starter. Giacomini, who could have become an unrestricted free agent next month, signed a multiyear deal to stay in Seattle, the team announced Friday. According to the NFL Players Association website, Giacomini will make $1.5 million in base salary next season and $3 million in 2013.

Giacomini, signed by Seattle off Green Bay’s practice squad in 2010, started the season opener at right tackle because starter James Carpenter had moved to left guard to fill in for an injured Robert Gallery. When Carpenter, Seattle’s first-round pick last year, went down with a season-ending knee injury, Giacomini took over the starting role for the remaining seven games. Giacomini, along with Paul McQuistan and Lemuel Jeanpierre, helped the Seahawks survive three season-ending injuries on the line, and despite all the injuries, Seattle showed considerable improvement in the running game in the second half of the season.

With Carpenter facing a long recovery from a torn ACL, Giacomini gives the Seahawks an insurance policy heading into the season if Carpenter has to open the year on the physically unable to perform list. There are also plenty of people who believe Carpenter may be better suited to play guard in the long run. If that turns out to be the case, Giacomini could find himself in a starting role. Seattle coach Pete Carroll has said repeatedly that the Seahawks like Carpenter at tackle, but the fact Carpenter moved to guard in place of Gallery at the start of the year shows the coaches have at least considered Carpenter as an interior lineman.

Giacomini was a fifth-round pick by Green Bay in 2008 when current Seahawks general manager John Schneider was the Packers’ director of football operations.

Lewis leaves front office

Will Lewis, who has worked in the Seahawks’ front office since coming to Seattle with Mike Holmgren in 1999, has left his job as vice president of pro personnel. The news was first reported by ESPN and subsequently confirmed by a team spokesman. It was not immediately known why Lewis left. Lewis, who was a cornerback and kick returner for the Seahawks in 1980 and 1981, coached at various levels before becoming a scout and later Green Bay’s assistant director of pro personnel. When Holmgren came to Seattle, he brought Lewis along as the team’s director of pro personnel.

Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com.