Hanks Signed By Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks announced Monday they have signed former San Francisco 49ers free safety Merton Hanks, who was released last week.

Hanks spent eight seasons with the 49ers and was selected to four Pro Bowls.

With the 49ers, he played in 125 games, including 109 starts, and made 31 interceptions.

In Seattle, where the secondary is made up of Shawn Springs and Willie Williams at cornerback and Darryl Williams and Jay Bellamy at safety, Hanks will be used in the team's nickel defense, when the Seahawks go to five defensive backs.

"We have pretty good guys in the secondary and he knows that," Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said. "But he also knows that we run five and six defensive backs in there a lot. I feel very fortunate to have him. He will help us."

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