Hawks Notes: Strong to finish in Seattle

Now that he's back under contract with the Seahawks with no worries about his immediate playing future, fullback Mack Strong is trying some new things away from the game.

Strong will make his broadcasting debut on Saturday for FSN when he provides commentary on the cable network's tape-delayed telecast of the Everett Hawks' arena football season opener. The game will be played Thursday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Strong will join veteran play-by-play man Brian Davis on the broadcast.

"It's just something I've always been interested in," Strong said. "Now I get to find out if I'm any good at it while I'm still playing."

The original plan was for Strong to do one of the Hawks' eight games scheduled to air on FSN. Re-signing with the Seahawks should give him the chance to take part in more broadcasts.

Strong is going on year No. 14 in the NFL — all with the Seahawks. He said his new three-year, $3.16 million contract will "definitely" be his last.

"I'll be lucky to make it to the end of it," said the 34-year-old, who declined offers from other teams this offseason. "At the end of the day, it [the decision to re-sign] was just [about] being able to play my whole career here."

Ashworth checks in

Newly signed offensive lineman Tom Ashworth said he'll play anywhere the coaching staff asks him.

Ashworth, who was a part of three Super Bowl championships with the New England Patriots, has played right tackle for most of his five-year career.

"They [the Seahawks] brought me in thinking I could help the group," Ashworth said Tuesday. "They're the bosses, and what they say goes. I'm open to trying anything."

That could include left guard, which is open now that Steve Hutchinson is with the Minnesota Vikings.

Ashworth said he was attracted to the Seahawks because of their emphasis on team-first, high-character, hard-working players. It reminded him of his Patriots days.

Ashworth, 28, said he felt it was time for a change when he became a free agent this offseason, and he spoke to several people who had been in Seattle about living in the area. One of those was former Seahawks tight end Christian Fauria, Ashworth's teammate in New England.

Duck soup

The Seahawks and running back Maurice Morris have agreed to terms on a three-year, $4 million contract, which leaves Seattle with just two of their own unrestricted free agents unsigned — safety John Howell and punter Tom Rouen.

The Seahawks are still interested in keeping Howell, who contributed mainly on special teams in 2005 until a hamstring injury ended his season after 10 games. Howell and former teammate Joe Jurevicius are on a hunting expedition in New Zealand.

Morris, a former Oregon Duck who enters his fifth pro season, will be back as Shaun Alexander's backup. Morris rushed for a career-high 288 yards last season.

Morris' deal includes a $900,000 signing bonus.

Also, the Seahawks reportedly have been given permission by the Detroit Lions to talk to quarterback Joey Harrington. The Lions have decided that Harrington, a former first-round draft pick from Oregon, is not in their future plans. They are entertaining trade offers for him.

"I have talked to quite a few teams that have shown interest in me, and I am narrowing my list of teams to a few and then probably will visit them in the next week," Harrington said on his Web site recently.

Harrington reportedly was in Miami on Tuesday and was scheduled to visit Cincinnati after that.

David Dunn, Harrington's agent, did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Seattle could be in the market for an experienced backup for Matt Hasselbeck. Current backup Seneca Wallace is a restricted free agent who has made only token appearances in games in his three-year career.

12th Man update

Texas A&M University's trademark infringement case against the Seahawks for use of the 12th Man slogan is still in litigation.

The school filed a temporary restraining order against the Seahawks before the Super Bowl to try to prevent the team from using the phrase.

A hearing has yet to be scheduled, and the matter could be settled out of court. Attorneys from the Seahawks and Texas A&M have been in discussions.

"From our perspective, we're definitely using our best efforts to work out a settlement for both parties," said Steve Moore, the college's chief marketing officer.

The Seahawks aren't commenting while the case is pending.

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