Seattle tags Hutchinson as transition player

Former Michigan linemates Steve Hutchinson and Jeff Backus were protected from free agency Thursday, the final day for NFL teams to designate franchise and transition players.

Hutchinson, an All-Pro left guard for Seattle, was given the transition player tag by the NFC champion Seahawks, meaning he is guaranteed $6.39 million next season if he doesn’t sign a long-term contract. The tag also gives the team the right to match any offer from another club.

Backus, who has had a less distinguished career as the right tackle for a less distinguished team, was designated Detroit’s franchise player. He is guaranteed $6.98 million, and the Lions will get two first-round draft picks if he signs with another team and can decide whether or not to match.

The NFL’s free-agent period starts Thursday, with a minimal number of star players available – except at running back. One of the second-tier backs, Carolina’s DeShaun Foster, was made a transition player with the tender of $5.13 million for that position.

Two other prime players, San Francisco linebacker Julian Peterson and Oakland cornerback Charles Woodson, were not protected, meaning they will be among the more attractive free agents. But both have been plagued by injuries recently and will carry a “buyer-beware” tag.

Offensive lineman Mike Williams was released by the Bills, ending a disappointing four-year tenure in Buffalo for the former No. 4 draft pick from Texas.

San Francisco also released nine players, including veteran receiver Johnnie Morton and cornerback Ahmed Plummer.

The most sought-after free agent could be NFL MVP Shaun Alexander, who was designated Seattle’s franchise player before last season, signing a one-year deal worth $6.32 million with the agreement that he not be tagged again after the 2005 season.

Golf

Woods needs late birdie to advance

Tiger Woods didn’t take the lead until the 10th hole and had to make a 7-foot birdie on the 18th to get past Robert Allenby in the second round of the Match Play Championship at Carlsbad, Calif.

No. 2 seed Vijay Singh overcame a slow start to beat Miguel Angel Jimenez, the first time in seven tries that Singh advanced to the third round. Third-seeded Retief Goosen also won, but not before Ben Crane made a hole-in-one on the 16th hole to make him sweat.

Phil Mickelson missed several 5-foot putts, but he holed a 25-foot eagle putt on the 11th that sent him on his way to a victory over John Daly.

“Mark Wilson shot an opening-round 64 to take the lead at the PGA Tour’s Chrysler Classic of Tucson (Ariz.), two shots ahead of Doug Barron, Gabriel Hjertstedt, Jerry Kelly, John Riegger and Duffy Waldorf.

“Lorena Ochoa leads the LPGA Fields Open in Hawaii with a 64. Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., is tied for second one stroke back with Seon Hwa Lee.

Backed by several other news organizations, The Associated Press made progress in talks with the LPGA about new restrictions on press credentials, but was unable to resolve the dispute in time to cover the start of the tournament.

Miscellany

U.S. Davis Cup tennis team selects site

The United States will play in Rancho Mirage, Calif., when it faces Chile in the Davis Cup quarterfinals, the U.S. Tennis Association announced from White Plains, N.Y.

The April 7-9 matches will be played on grass at Mission Hills Country Club. Captain Patrick McEnroe expects No. 3 Andy Roddick and the top-ranked doubles team of twins Bob and Mike Bryan to lead the squad.

“U.S. Ski Team member Dane Spencer has been released from a Kalispell, Mont., hospital following an injury during a race at Big Mountain on Feb. 14.