SEATTLE (March 15, 2006) -- Rocky Bernard, Seattle 's sought-after defensive tackle, re-signed with the NFC champions.
Bernard agreed to a three-year contract, according to an assistant for agent Gary Uberstine. Bernard had 10 1/2 sacks in the regular season and playoffs after 9 1/2 in his first three seasons combined.
The Seahawks have now retained two of their three most important potential free agents. They have four days left to keep All-Pro left guard Steve Hutchinson.
Hutchinson, Seattle's transition player, signed a Minnesota Vikings offer sheet March 12. The Seahawks have to match the offer within seven days or lose a 6-foot-5, 313-pound reason Shaun Alexander rushed for 1,880 yards and scored a league record 28 touchdowns in 2005.
The Seahawks don't intend to lose Hutchinson. Seahawks president Tim Ruskell has said Alexander's signing was "the beginning of getting our free agents back in the fold."
"That is what we are going to do," Ruskell said upon signing the league rushing champion for eight years on March 6. "Maybe we won't get them all but we want to keep our core together."
The Seahawks also agreed to bring back punt returner and wide receiver Peter Warrick. Terms of the deal were not immediately available.
Warrick, signed last season after being cut by Cincinnati last season, became more important to the Seahawks after Joe Jurevicius, Seattle's team leader with 10 touchdown receptions last season, signed with Cleveland on March 11.
He was the fourth overall pick by the Bengals in 2000 but was troubled by injuries throughout his career.
