Seahawks trade DE Bryce Fisher to Titans
By Gregg Bell, AP Sports Writer
SEATTLE — Defensive end Bryce Fisher is leaving Seattle and Charlie Frye is on the way to the Seahawks. Fisher, benched by Seattle after starting for two seasons, was traded to Tennessee on Tuesday.
Fisher, a seven-year veteran, had been replaced with the faster Darryl Tapp, the Seahawks' second-round draft choice in 2006.
"He has a lot of the attributes that you look for in a base defensive end -- someone who plays the run, has the ability to rush the passer and can play either side," said Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt. "I expect him to fit well in our system and add to the depth that we are building in the defensive line."The Seahawks also acquired Browns quarterback Charlie Frye for an undisclosed draft pick. The Browns said Frye must pass a physical for the trade to be completed. Cleveland.
Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Monday he was still trying to sign a veteran passer so Seneca Wallace, the backup to starter Matt Hasselbeck, could possibly fill a need at wide receiver.
The Seahawks lost starting receiver D.J. Hackett in Sunday's season opener to a high ankle sprain, and he is out indefinitely. In explaining who will move up the depth chart at wideout, Holmgren said. "My ace in the hole is Seneca Wallace."
The Seahawks have used Wallace sporadically at wide receiver, most notably for catches in each of the last two postseasons.
Fisher is the second Seattle player the Titans have added since June under Reinfeldt, who joined Tennessee after working as a player personnel executive with the Seahawks. The Titans picked up cornerback Kelly Herndon in June after he was cut by Seattle.
The Titans have been looking to add depth at defensive end to help Kyle Vanden Bosch. Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy have struggled with injuries their first three seasons.
"He understands the business of pro football," agent Peter Schaffer said of the former Air Force officer and graduate of the Air Force Academy. "He's excited about this next chapter in his career, and he has fond memories of the greatest period of his NFL career, which included starting in the Super Bowl."
The 30-year-old Fisher made 36 regular-season and postseason starts from 2005-06, including the Super Bowl two seasons ago. His sacks went from a career-high nine in '05 to four last season. He was a seventh-round pick of Buffalo in 2001 who played one season for the Bills and three with the St. Louis Rams before signing as a free agent with his hometown team before the 2005 season.
Seattle will receive an undisclosed draft pick for Fisher.
The trade completes the team's upgrade of its pass rush. Seattle gave Patrick Kerney $19.5 million in guarantees to sign from Atlanta as a free agent to replace the slowing Grant Wistrom, then promoted the faster Tapp. Then the Seahawks traded last week for undersized, quick end Jason Babin, a former No. 1 draft choice of the Houston Texans.
Kerney and Tapp each had 1 1/2 sacks in Sunday's 20-6 victory over Tampa Bay. Fisher played sparingly and did not record a tackle. Babin, still learning the defense, was inactive.
Tennessee made room for the Fisher by releasing defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona, a fifth-round pick out of Tennessee in 2006.
Fisher is the Titans' second addition to the defensive line in as many weeks. They signed tackle Corey Simon to a one-year deal Aug. 28.
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AP Sports Writers Tom Withers in Cleveland and Teresa M. Walker in Nashville, Tenn., contributed to this report.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
I post this for only 2 reasons:
1) Why wouldn't we go after a guy like Bryce when you've got to be worried about Orpheus Roye's health and age. We need depth at DE and along the DL badly. JMHO
2) We need a veteran QB for a back-up. JMHO. Dorsey, I guess from what you people are saying, has the 'brains' in understanding the O concept but not the 'arm' to be QB in the NFL. So, my point is if Mike Holmgren can and does find a suitable vet, why can't we and our deal would be sweeter if a pick is involved because we will be drafting higher than Seattle. Find this article at:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/2007-09-11-803237609_x.htm