Hawks Cut Loose Hitchcock, Bryant

The Seattle Seahawks released 300-pound guard Bill Hitchcock, a four-year starter bothered by an ailing back, and signed second-round draft choice Christian Fauria on Monday.

Fauria signed a three-year contract reportedly for $1.47 million on the opening day of training camp.

The Seahawks also waived running back Beno Bryant, a former University of Washington player, who holds the Pacific-10 Conference career punt return record with four returns for touchdowns.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks said they are interested in Steve Emtman, the former Cheney High School and University of Washington defensive lineman, who was the first player picked in the 1992 draft by the Indianapolis Colts and cleared waivers Monday after being released Saturday by the Colts.

If he is signed, Emtman would compete with Brent Williams and Michael Sinclair.

Emtman has suffered major injuries to both knees since coming into the NFL.

New Seahawks coach Dennis Erickson tried to recruit Emtman from Cheney when he coached at Washington State, but lost him to the Huskies.

“A healthy Steve Emtman is one of the better players in the country,” Erickson said. “He can help any team defensively.”

The Seahawks have had “preliminary discussions” with Emtman’s agent, Los Angeles lawyer Marvin Demoff.

The Colts, who had tried to renegotiate Emtman’s contract without success, said they’ll also try to re-sign him - starting with a $700,000 offer - and Miami and Carolina also have expressed an interest in Emtman.

Also Monday, the Seahawks announced they have signed three veterans: backup cornerback Orlando Watters, backup linebacker Bob Spitulski and reserve defensive end Michael McCrary.

Sixth-round draft pick Eddie Goines, a wide receiver from North Carolina State, agreed to terms and will sign a two-year contract today, executive vice president Mickey Loomis said. After Goines signs, the Seahawks will have to cut a player to stay at 80, the NFL roster limit at the start of training camp.

Because of a college knee injury, Goines won’t be able to practice at the start of camp.

After his release, the 29-year-old Hitchcock disclosed he underwent back surgery five weeks ago. He said he hoped to be ready for training camp, but was still in pain and faced the prospect of more surgery if his back did not improve.

Doctors removed two broken disc pieces, he said.

“I have no bitterness toward the club,” Hitchcock said. “What can they do?”

Erickson said the Hitchcock decision was an easy one.

“He’s a great person and he’s done a lot for the organization, but physically he just can’t play,” Erickson said. “His back just hasn’t responded like we’d hoped it would.”

Bryant was waived because of tightness in his hamstring that limited his participation in Erickson’s minicamps. Bryant was signed as a free agent to the Seahawks’ practice squad last Nov. 29 and played in two games with Seattle last season.

Fauria, a tight end from Colorado, took part in morning meetings and practiced with rookies and selected veterans in the afternoon. He is expected to compete for the job with Paul Green, who started 11 games for Seattle last season.

The Seahawks’ first-round pick, Ohio State receiver Joey Galloway, remains unsigned.