Seahawks Sign Ricky Watters

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

March 4, 1998 / 12:00 AM EST / CBS Sportsline

After three stormy but productive seasons in Philadelphia, five-time Pro Bowl running back Ricky Watters is reportedly headed to Seattle.

According to a broadcast report, Watters has agreed to terms with the Seattle Seahawks on a four-year contract worth $13 million with a $5 million signing bonus.

Watters rushed for 3,794 yards and scored 32 touchdowns in his three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, yet often complained that he should have had a more prominent role in the offense.

The Eagles decided not to re-sign Watters after a disappointing 6-9-1 season, and are counting on running back Charlie Garner to fill the void. Garner, who backed up Watters the last three years, signed a four-year contract worth $6.4 million with the Eagles on Feb. 23. He carried the ball a career-high 116 times in 1997 for 547 yards and three touchdowns and had 24 receptions for 225 yards in 16 games.

Watters, who turns 29 in April, will likely become the feature back in Seattle, replacing Chris Warren. Since rushing for more than 1,000 yards four straight seasons from 1992-95, Warren has struggled each of the last two years. Warren rushed for 855 yards in 1996 and just 847 yards last season.

Watters rushed for 1,110 yards and seven TDs and caught 48 passes for 440 yards last season. He rushed for a career-high 1,411 yards and 13 touchdowns and had 51 receptions for 444 yards in 1996.

After helping the San Francisco 49ers win Super Bowl XXIX in January 1995, Watters signed a a three-year contract with the Eagles worth $6.9 million.