NEW ORLEANS -- Leroy Hill's eight-year career with the Seattle Seahawks was probably finished before his arrest on domestic-violence charges Tuesday.
Hill turns 31 in December and has no contract for 2013. His roster spot appeared in some jeopardy during the 2012 season when an injury sidelined Hill briefly and Malcolm Smith showed promise as his replacement in the lineup. The Seahawks needed Smith on special teams, however, and they knew they could count on Hill to start.
Hill's arrest makes him even less attractive to the Seahawks as a potential fallback option if a need arises at linebacker. The team could use the draft to acquire another young linebacker to grow alongside Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright. Smith could factor as well.
Hill has been with the Seahawks since 2005, when then-general manager Tim Ruskell upgraded the linebacker corps by using a second-round choice for Lofa Tatupu and a third-rounder for Hill. Both became long-term starters. Tatupu went to three Pro Bowls.
