Tight times, but Hawks' cap fits fine

Amid a flurry of league-wide activity, the Seahawks stood pat Wednesday, two days before the scheduled start of the NFL's free-agency period.

No Seahawk was released, and no deals were struck, although negotiations continued with agents of players who are scheduled to become free agents Friday.

Negotiations for an extension of the league's collective-bargaining agreement had produced nothing, sending some teams into panic mode trying to get under the projected $94.5 million salary cap by 7 p.m. today.

The Seahawks don't have that problem. They're one of the teams with abundant cap space — currently $12.6 million to re-sign their free agents and perhaps sign free agents or cap casualties from other teams.

Seattle's cap space could grow if the team decides to part ways with outside linebacker Jamie Sharper, whose 2006 cap number is $4.5 million. Sharper's age (31) and chronic knee problem (he missed the final eight games and the playoffs last season), plus the emergence of rookie Leroy Hill, could make Sharper expendable. Releasing him would add $3.3 million to the Seahawks' 2006 salary-cap coffers.

Cornerback Andre Dyson is also a candidate for release. He has a cap number of $4.3 million.

However, the Seahawks don't need to let either player go. They have the cap space to get deals done with a lot of their prospective free agents, including running back Shaun Alexander.

Left guard Steve Hutchinson currently counts $6.39 million under the one-year transition tender and could account for less if he and the team reach a long-term agreement.

Meanwhile, Alexander might not get the big money he seeks in what appears to be a buyer's market for running backs in free agency and with teams seeking more affordable alternatives because of the lack of a new CBA.

Notes

• The agent for TE Ryan Hannam said the Seahawks have expressed their desire to keep the four-year veteran and that Hannam would like to remain a Seahawk. Hannam, who played for the $656,000 restricted free-agent tender in 2005, is one of 14 Seahawks scheduled to become unrestricted free agents Friday. He started five games and caught 13 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown last season.

• Several Seahawks are among the 120 NFL players who have enrolled in the league's Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program at four universities across the country. The program helps players prepare for careers after their playing days are over. Sharper, SS Michael Boulware and WR Bobby Engram are attending The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Defensive tackle Craig Terrill starts at the Stanford Graduate School of Business on March 6. Recently-signed RB Ran Carthon starts at Northwestern University on March 6.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com