Seahawks sign Rams’ Fisher

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Now that the spending spree of NFL free agency’s first couple weeks has passed, things are picking up around the Seattle Seahawks’ front office.

The Seahawks added a defensive end Tuesday and are hosting a number of other free agents this week in hopes of finding a bargain or two. Bryce Fisher, who had a career-high 8 sacks with the St. Louis Rams last season, was signed to a four-year deal worth $10 million.

The 27-year-old Renton native will replace Chike Okeafor in the starting lineup. Fisher fills one of many holes on the defensive side of the football, where three starters have already left via free agency. Okeafor went to the Arizona Cardinals, who also signed middle linebacker Orlando Huff on Tuesday. Ken Lucas’s departure two weeks ago leaves a hole at cornerback.

Huff’s possible replacement was in town Tuesday, talking with Seahawks coaches about the possibility of signing a long-term deal. Edgerton Hartwell, who played inside linebacker next to Ray Lewis in the Baltimore Ravens’ system, spoke with people in Seattle’s front office but left town without a contract. His agent, Harold Lewis, said Hartwell could decide between the Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals “within the next 24 hours.”

The replacement for Lucas could be Kelly Herndon, a restricted free agent who also visited this week. The Seahawks’ offer to Herndon can be matched by the Denver Broncos, who would then have rights to him by way of the NFL’s restricted free agent policy.

Seattle hosted Tennessee free agent cornerback Andre Dyson two weeks ago, but he has continued to look around for a large long-term salary. Another big-name free agent, cornerback Ty Law of the New England Patriots, could also be too expensive for the Seahawks.

In addition to Hartwell and Herndon, Seattle hosted free agent defensive tackle Chartric Darby (Tampa Bay) on Monday and is expected to bring in quarterback Brad Johnson (Tampa Bay) at some point this week. A report out of Tampa said that the Seahawks are a favorite over Atlanta and New Orleans to land Darby.

When contacted Tuesday, Darby’s agent would not comment on his client’s status. Johnson, who is being courted as a possible backup to Matt Hasselbeck, has visits scheduled with Seattle, Minnesota and Chicago. The Seahawks are looking for a quarterback after trading Trent Dilfer to the Cleveland Browns two weeks ago.

Wide receiver Travis Taylor, who had scheduled a visit with Seattle for later this week, signed with the Minnesota Vikings.