Russell Okung finally signs with the Seahawks

Published on August 6, 2010 by Seahawk Fanatic

Okung, the team’s first choice in last April’s draft has agreed to terms and was on his way to Seattle’s headquarters Friday morning. No contract specifics were available, but it was a six-year contract worth a maximum of $58 million with $30 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. Peter Schaffer, Okung’s agent, declined to discuss any specifics about any agreement or negotiations. Okung was the last first-round pick from this year’s draft to sign.

Okung, 22, was chosen No. 6 overall in the draft by Seattle, the same slot the Seahawks picked Walter Jones in 1997.

Alex Gibbs, Seattle’s offensive line coach, referred to him as a “can’t miss” player in the team’s evaluation and designated Okung as Walter Jones’ successor. Okung became Seattle’s starting left tackle the moment he arrived at team headquarters, Seattle hoping he would stabilize a position where it went through four different starters last season.

Okung is 6 feet 5, 310 pounds and was one of the strongest linemen available in this year’s draft. The sticking point in Seattle’s negotiations with Okung was whether the contract Kansas City signed safety Eric Berry to set a ceiling for Okung, whose position of left tackle is more valuable in today’s NFL than a safety.

Okung’s absence nearly equaled that of linebacker Aaron Curry, last year’s first-round pick who missed the first eight days of training camp before signing his deal. Curry’s absence was the longest by one of Seattle’s first-round picks since Chris McIntosh missed 22 days in 2000.

But after Okung missed the first six days of training camp, he’ll now be running his own version of the hurry-up offense next to Ben Hamilton, the team’s new veteran left guard.

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Tags: 30 Million, Alex Gibbs, Chris Mcintosh, Chris Mortensen, Contract Worth, Eight Days, Eric Berry, ESPN, First Choice, Friday Morning, Hurry Up Offense, Linemen, Offensive Line Coach, Peter Schaffer, Seahawks, Six Days, Specifics, Sticking Point, Team Headquarters, Walter Jones

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