SEATTLE (June 1, 2007) -- Former starting cornerback Kelly Herndon, who is a Super Bowl record holder, was cut by the Seattle Seahawks.
The Seahawks made the move because they think former first-round draft pick Kelly Jennings is ready to start at the position this season.
Herndon started all 16 regular-season games in 2006 and had a career high-tying 67 tackles before he broke his ankle in the regular-season finale at Tampa Bay. The Seahawks had said Herndon progressed well in his recovery this offseason and that he was likely to be back at practices by training camp.
But he was part of a secondary that was often beaten for big pass plays last season. And when Seattle chose the speedy, smart Jennings at No. 31 overall in the 2006 draft, it was a signal that the 30-year-old Herndon's days starting opposite mainstay cornerback Marcus Trufant would soon end.
Herndon, who started 22 games in two seasons with Seattle after three seasons with Denver, returned an interception 76 yards in the 2006 Super Bowl in Detroit, near where he played college football at Toledo.
The Seahawks drafted another cornerback with their top pick in April's draft, Josh Wilson. He's short for the position -- 5-foot-9 -- but also fast. Seahawks general manager Tim Ruskell and coach Mike Holmgren have said they expect Wilson to be the fifth, "nickel" defensive back this season while he challenges for what was Herndon's starting job.
Seattle also released tackle Steve Morley, who was signed as a free agent in January.
The team begins an eight-day voluntary workout camp at team headquarters in Kirkland, Wash., on June 4.
