Seahawks | 252-pound T.J. Duckett is big backfield addition

The Seahawks hope they found a big answer to their third-and-short struggles.

Real big.

As in 252-pound running back T.J. Duckett, who told The Associated Press he has agreed to a five-year contract with Seattle. The team has made no announcement and calls to Duckett's agent have not been returned this week.

Now, before everyone starts wondering about the trickle-down effect for Seattle's other backs, Shaun Alexander and Maurice Morris, remember that Duckett is a player the Seahawks tried to sign in free agency last year. Alexander's status with the team wasn't a question then, but the Seahawks saw Duckett as a complementary piece in their backfield. A rather large complementary piece.

Duckett signed with Detroit instead of Seattle last year and he gained the majority of his 335 rushing yards the final four games. He even had his first 100-yard rushing game since 2003.

Duckett, 27, is a former first-round pick, chosen with the 18th overall selection in 2002 from Michigan State. The Seahawks will be his fourth team in the past four seasons, though, as he bounced from the Falcons to Washington to the Lions. He played for Jim Mora in Atlanta in 2004 and 2005. Seahawks president Tim Ruskell was with the Falcons in 2004.

Duckett will be the second free agent the Seahawks have signed this season. Tight end Jeb Putzier was the first. The Seahawks announced they signed him to a one-year contract. Putzier has played in the NFL six years, the past two with Houston. His most productive seasons were 2004 and 2005 in Denver, when he caught 73 passes in that two-year span.

Notes

• The Seahawks hired Mike DeBord to serve as offensive assistant. DeBord is a former assistant at Michigan under Lloyd Carr where he started as offensive line coach and eventually moved to assistant head coach and then offensive coordinator. He was not retained by Michigan after Carr retired.

• Defensive tackle Chuck Darby, a free agent, was in Detroit on Tuesday and was in discussion with the Lions on a contract.

• Defensive lineman Ellis Wyms is scheduled to take free-agent visits to Tennessee and Minnesota this week.

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com