Seattle Seahawks Get 2 Running Backs For The Price Of None

Published on April 24, 2010 by Seahawk Fanatic     

The Seattle Seahawks acquired former USC running back White, a defensive tackle and two draft picks from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for one of their fourth-round draft choices and one in the sixth round.

The Seahawks also landed running back Leon Washington in a trade with the New York Jets on Saturday.

The deal with the Titans gave the Seahawks Tennessee’s pick seven spots later in the fourth round, at No. 111 overall. Seattle also moved down nine spots in the sixth round, from 176 to 185.

The Titans used that first pick on UCLA cornerback Alterraun Verner, and he can immediately compete for the open spot at the left corner — one of four starters Tennessee scrapped from a unit that gave up more passing yards than all but the Detroit Lions in the NFL in 2009. The Titans also ranked 28th in total yards allowed per game and gave up 31 touchdown receptions.

The Seahawks also received 6-foot-5, 305-pound defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson from the Titans.

White set the USC record with 52 rushing touchdowns while playing for new Seahawks coach Pete Carroll through the 2005 season. White had 24 touchdowns in his four seasons with Tennessee but struggled with being late and his weight. White’s best weight loss came in the 2009 offseason when he dropped more than 30 pounds to reach 228.

By then, it was too late. Chris Johnson, the 24th pick overall in 2008, already had taken over as the Titans’ starter and became just the sixth man in NFL history to run for 2,000 yards in 2009 as he ran 358 times for 2,006 yards.

Nobody wanted White for the second-round pick that Tennessee tendered him at hoping to attract some interest, so he signed his tender April 15. The Titans started shopping White on Friday and put together the deal with the Seahawks on Saturday morning with Verner — who has 13 career interceptions with four returned for TDs — still on the board.

Fisher said Verner will compete immediately to fill the open starting slot at left cornerback. Nick Harper, the starter there the past three seasons who turns 36 in September, won’t be back. Verner will compete with free-agent signee Tye Hill along with Rod Hood, Ryan Mouton and Jason McCourty.

Asked if White fell out of favor, Fisher said the back practiced and was prepared to play.

“I can’t blame him for wanting to play more because those are the kind of players you want on your roster,” the coach said. “I think considering the circumstances he handled things. There were issues I don’t need to bring up.”.

Vickerson also was lost in the pack at tackle after the Titans signed Tony Brown to a three-year extension Thursday. The team also has Jovan Haye, Sen’Derrick Marks and Jason Jones at the position.

Tags: 6 Foot 5, Alterraun Verner, Career Interceptions, coach pete carroll, Cornerback, Detroit Lions, Draft Choices, Draft Picks, Kevin Vickerson, Leon Washington, New York Jets, nfl history, Offseason, Running Backs, Rushing Touchdowns, Saturday Morning, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, Sixth Man, Tennessee Titans, Touchdown Receptions