Seahawks Sign RB Shaun Alexander

The Seattle Seahawks have signed their first-round draft pick, running back Shaun Alexander, the team announced Thursday.

Alexander will receive a $3.9 million signing bonus and $6.5 million over five years.

Alexander, who played at Alabama, was the Seahawks' first pick in the draft and the 19th pick overall. He's expected to provide some healthy competition for starting halfback Ricky Watters.

The Seahawks have now signed eight of their nine draft choices. The lone holdout is Wisconsin tackle Chris MacIntosh, the 22nd overall pick.

After appearing at a news conference at team headquarters in this Seattle suburb, Alexander left to join the rest of the team at training camp in Cheney, outside of Spokane.

He thanked Seahawks owner Paul Allen for the contract, and joked that he wouldn't be able to spend much of the money in Cheney, a small college and farming town.

©2000 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed