The Seattle Seahawks have rescinded their franchise tag on outside linebacker Leroy Hill, making him a free agent. A team spokesman confirmed the surprising move Sunday, a day after the team made Wake Forest star outside linebacker Aaron Curry the fourth overall pick in the NFL draft. It gives Seattle salary cap space of US$8.3 million — the value of the guaranteed contract for 2009 the team was obligated to offer Hill as its franchise player. Curry is expected to get at least $25 million guaranteed in his new contract. Saturday, Seahawks president and general manager Tim Ruskell said he was still in negotiations for a long-term deal with Hill. Coach Jim Mora marvelled after selecting Curry that the team’s defence now has, along with Lofa Tatupu, “three good, young linebackers who are all impact-type players and it is an exciting group. It will be fun to watch them grow together.”