By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer
CHENEY – The Seattle Seahawks are on the verge of adding another arm to the mix, and this one’s wearing a Super Bowl ring.
Trent Dilfer, who took over the Baltimore Ravens midway through last season and eventually led them to a Super Bowl win, is expected to sign a contract with the Seahawks today, according to several reports. Terms of the deal were not available, and the Seahawks could not confirm an agreement had been reached.
Although projected starter Matt Hasselbeck has struggled through the first five days of training camp, his role is not expected to be affected. Dilfer, 29, who is three years older than any Seattle quarterback, should compete for the backup role with Brock Huard.
Despite an improbable end to his 2000 season, the Raves allowed Dilfer to test free agency and replaced him with Elvis Grbac. Dilfer received lukewarm interest from a number of teams in the offseason, but looked as if he would hold out until the season began before signing on with a team.
The Seahawks, with about $1.5 million available, had more money under the salary cap than most teams entering training camp.
Dilfer would give Seattle five quarterbacks at camp, joining Hasselbeck, Huard, Travis Brown and rookie Josh Booty.
The Seahawks acquired Hasselbeck from the Green Bay Packers for a third-round pick and an exchange of first-round picks. Seattle coach Mike Holmgren immediately anointed Hasselbeck the starter, but he has struggled at camp.
Holmgren got so frustrated with his play during Thursday’s afternoon practice that he replaced him with Huard during one drill. When the Seahawks took the huddle for the next drill, Huard was still serving as quarterback with the first unit. Huard and Brown then ran that drill while Hasselbeck watched from the sidelines.
Dilfer played six seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Ravens signed him to a one-year deal last season. In his only year in Baltimore, Dilfer lost his first game before leading the Ravens to 11 consecutive wins, including a 34-7 victory over the New York Giants in the Super Bowl. His rating was 76.6 while playing with a defense-oriented team.
Dilfer’s 2,264 career passing attempts dwarf the 116 Seattle’s current quarterbacks have combined. He has a career 70.1 quarterback rating.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
