The struggling Seahawks cut ties with
James on Tuesday, releasing the backup running back who never provided
the pop Seattle hoped to get when it signed the 31-year-old in late
August.
James' release was one of a handful
of moves Seattle made two days after a lackluster 38-17 loss that
dropped the Seahawks to 2-5. Seattle also released safety C.J. Wallace
and cornerback Travis Fisher.
The two-time NFL rushing champ signed
with Seattle near the end of training camp hoping to revitalize a
career that fell flat after moving from Indianapolis to Arizona. After
getting benched for the first time last season, James provided a spark
the Cardinals needed in their run to the Super Bowl. But he was
released by Arizona in the offseason and remained unemployed until the
Seahawks came calling. Before his release by the Cardinals, James had
one year and $5 million remaining on the four-year, $40 million deal he
signed with Arizona before the 2006 season.
James failed to provide the punch
Seattle hoped for when it cut T.J. Duckett to make room for James. He
gained just 125 yards on 46 carries with no scores. He averaged just
2.7 yards per carry.
James had a season-high 16 carries
for 46 yards in Seattle's 41-0 win over Jacksonville, but James got
double-digit carries in only one other game. Three times he was held to
less than 10 yards rushing.
His only accolade in his seven games
with the Seahawks was the 17 yards James gained last week at Dallas to
pass Marcus Allen for 10th place on the NFL's all-time rushing leaders
list with 12,246 yards.
It has been a difficult year for
James. His longtime girlfriend and mother of his four children, Andia
Wilson, died April 18 of leukemia. James said he had to sort out his
life before he turned his attention back to football and that was why
it took until late August before he signed with a team.
Seattle signed receiver Mike Hass,
safety Jamar Adams and cornerback Roy Lewis from the practice squad to
fill the open roster spots. The Seahawks also added running back Devin
Moore, and cornerbacks Trae Williams and DeAngelo Willingham to fill
spots on their practice squad.