Sharper sharpens Seattle’s LB corps

KIRKLAND, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks agreed to terms Tuesday with free-agent linebacker Jamie Sharper, adding needed experience to the defense.

The Seahawks did not release details of the signing, but the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported Sharper agreed to a five-year deal worth $17.5 million, including a $1.5 million signing bonus. Calls to Sharper’s agent, Tony Agnone, were not immediately returned.

Entering his ninth season, Sharper was released April 1 by the Houston Texans. He started all 48 games at middle linebacker since joining the Texans in the 2002 expansion draft and led Houston in tackles with 137 last season. He became expendable when the Texans decided to add more speed to their 3-4 defense.

Before going to Houston, Sharper played his first five seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, and was a key member of the Ravens’ dominant defense that won the Super Bowl in 2000. He has started 127 of 128 career games, including the last 121.

The 30-year-old Sharper was an outside linebacker with the Ravens, but played middle linebacker in Houston. He was also in discussions with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Sharper is expected to provide immediate help to a defense ranked 26th in the NFL last season.

Seattle has already changed its linebacking corps, releasing oft-injured outside linebacker Anthony Simmons in March. Orlando Huff, who started 14 games at middle linebacker last season for Seattle, signed with the Arizona Cardinals.