Dollar signs dropping in free agency

"Our priority in free agency is our own guys," Ruskell said. "Unfortunately, you don't always get a lot of credit for re-signing your own players. Instead it's, 'Why aren't they signing anyone?' "

That reaction -- or overreaction -- might spread leaguewide this year. Trufant was one of 12 NFL players given the franchise tag, a record-tying number that has removed from this year's talent pool the best defensive linemen (Titans tackle Albert Haynesworth and Chiefs end Jared Allen), tight ends (Philadelphia's L.J. Smith and Indianapolis' Dallas Clark, who has since signed a long-term contract), cornerbacks (Oakland's Nnamdi Asomugha and Trufant), two offensive linemen (Cincinnati guard-tackle Stacy Andrews and Carolina tackle Jordan Gross) and two linebackers (Baltimore's Terrell Suggs and Arizona's Karlos Dansby).

"It's OK," 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan said of this year's free-agent class. "With all the franchise tenders, people have the money to take care of their own guys. That's why, compared to last year's class, this year's is not as deep."

The Seahawks need to sign Trufant to a long-term deal to free money that can be used to re-sign kicker Josh Brown and valuable role players like backup middle linebacker Niko Koutouvides -- not to mention working on contract extensions for fourth-year linebackers Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill, who are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next year.

The cornerback market was set (or is that skewed?) last year when the 49ers signed Nate Clemens to an eight-year, $80 million deal in free agency. The Seahawks won't go there for Trufant, but they are willing to offer "Champ Bailey money," as one league executive put it.

That's not the total seven-year, $63 million contract that Bailey got from the Broncos in 2004 after being acquired in a trade with the Redskins. The Seahawks appear willing to offer a Trufant six-year deal for closer to an average of $8 million per year; and without the $13 million in base salary and bonuses that were included in Bailey's then-record contract for a cornerback.

Wide receiver D.J. Hackett wants to test the market, and the Redskins are one team said to be interested in a player who was productive when on the field last season (29 receptions, three 100-yard performances and four touchdowns in four full games), but also missed 10 games and parts of three others -- including the playoffs -- with ankle injuries.

As much potential as he possesses, the Seahawks don't feel they can pay Hackett the kind of money he is seeking ($4 million to $5 million per year) because he has missed time because of injuries in each of his four seasons.

The club also figures it can replace Hackett in the draft, which features a deep group of receivers, or in the second tier of free agency.

"Those are the guys where you get your bang for the buck," McCloughan said of tier-two and even tier-three free agents. "Guys that come in and, if not start, become dang good backups. And you're not paying him as much as you're paying the big name."

LEAPING INTO FREE AGENCY

Because it's a leap year, NFL free agency begins in February -- Friday, the 29th -- rather than March. Here's a look at the Seahawks players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents:

TOP PRIORITY

K Josh Brown: The club is willing to reward his consistency, but not overpay.

TESTING THE MARKET

LB Kevin Bentley: Versatile spare part at all three linebacker positions, but wants to be a starter.

DT Chuck Darby: The D-line lost some heart when he went down after six games.

WR D.J. Hackett: Big target, big numbers, big problem -- missed 10 games

TE Ben Joppru: Upgrading this position -- top to bottom -- is a priority

MLB Niko Koutouvides: Valuable backup had a career-high 20 special-teams tackles.

RB Josh Scobey: He's still on the mend from late-season knee injury.

OL Floyd Womack: Remaining healthy continues to be his primary problem.

DL Ellis Wyms: Late pickup provided one when injuries hit the line.

NOT EXPECTED BACK

TE Marcus Pollard: Biggest fear became reality: At 35, he couldn't stay healthy.

LS Jeff Robinson: Talked into un-retiring last season, it won't happen again.

-- Clare Farnsworth