Derek Anderson is expected to sign with Arizona, a news story first reported -- to the best of my understanding by Adam Schein on Sirius Radio. Adam Schefter of ESPN subsequently reported the deal was not done, but it will be.

Anderson had previously visited Seattle, and he has roots in this area. He attended Oregon State, and his mother lives in Mill Creek.

But Anderson had a better chance to start in Arizona as opposed to Seattle because Matt Leinart is not entrenched as the starter as Matt Hasselbeck is.

What comes next will be whether Seattle acquires Charlie Whitehurst, a restricted free agent from the San Diego Chargers. He had also visited both Seattle and Arizona.

While Anderson had starting experience (and success in 2007), Whitehurst's legs make him a better fit for the rollouts that are a part of Jeremy Bates' offense.

Seattle can not sign Whitehurst to an offer sheet because the Seahawks lack a third-round pick. If the Seahawks are going to acquire him, it will have to be through a trade the Chargers agree to.

Here's a link to a Whitehurst update from the excellent Bolts Blog run by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

"If Whitehurst decides to go to Seattle, which does not have a third-round pick, the Chargers would likely receive the equivalent of a third-rounder, though a trade could also involve other players on both rosters.

Regardless, this is a win for Whitehurst, who has yet to throw a pass in the NFL after being selected in the third round of the 2006 draft. And it is a win for the Chargers, who were likely going to lose Whitehurst after the 2010 season."
   -- Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune

It has been surmised the fourth-round pick Seattle acquired from Philadlephia in the trade for Darryl Tapp will be used in the acquisition of Whitehurst. It's certainly possible.

But look at what quarterbacks have commanded in trades so far. Seneca Wallace went for a seventh-rounder next year, which translates to loose change in terms of trade currency.

Brady Quinn, a former first-round pick, for a fullback, a sixth-round pick this year and a conditional late-round pick next year.

Now, those were quarterbacks who no longer fit their respective teams. They were on their way out.

Whitehurst has been a third-string quarterback. Is he really going to command that much much more in compensation when he hasn't attempted a regular-season pass?