Editor’s Note: This article is part of our “Throwback Thursday” series. This article is from out Jan. 16, 2001 files.

Tired of being a back-up linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks, James Logan is searching for a new city and a new challenge.

The former Opp Bobcat football player is hoping to draw the attention of either New Orleans Saints or some other southern-based NFL team when the unrestricted free agent signing period opens on Feb. 1.

Logan has spent the past five seasons with the Seahawks. He is listed as the backup behind starting Seattle outside linebacker Chad Brown.

Because Seattle has a large monetary stake in Brown, who they brought over from the Pittsburgh Steelers as an unrestricted free agent, Logan doesn’t see himself in a Seattle-blue No. 56 uniform next season.

“I think my days in Seattle are over. I’m looking for a new team. Hopefully, it will be somewhere in the south like a New Orleans or an Atlanta,” Logan said.

On Thursday, Logan was honored by the city of Opp for his accomplishments as a Bobcat graduated who has made it in the NFL.

Opp High School principal Walter “Buddy” Pyron and head football coach Jeff Rhodes presented Logan with an encased display of his white Seattle Seahawk jersey No. 56.

The uniform and a picture of Logan will be displayed in the Opp High School foyer.

“James Logan represents what is best about athletes. What separates James from the rest is that he has heart,” Pyron said.

“James is one of Opp’s own,” added James Winslow.

After the ceremony, Logan signed several autographs for local kids. He also continued to discuss his football future.

The primary reason Logan is interested in the Saints is that his former boss, Randy Mueller, is now the general manager in New Orleans. Before going to New Orleans, Mueller was the assistant GM in Seattle.

“Randy Mueller is the man who brought me to Seattle,” Logan said. “Look what’s he been able to do in one year with the Saints. He brought in some quality free agents and turned that team around.”

The Saints were 3-13 in 1999. This season they went 11-7 and won the NFC West Championship. They also won the first playoff game in the franchise’s history.

Seattle, meanwhile, finished up their second season under Mike Holgrem, the former Green Bay head coach who led the Packers to the 1996 Super Bowl title. In 1999, the Seahawks went 9-8 and won the AFC West but were then beaten in the wildcard round by the Miami Dolphins.

This year, the Seahawks struggled, going 7-9 and missed the playoffs.

“Every team has one of those year,” Logan said.

Coach Holgrem I a really nice guy. He knows what is going on and he’s going to address the problems this off-season.

Several of the higher-paid Seahawks are expected to be jettisoned from the roster. Some names dropped defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy and Michael Sinclair.

The Seahawks would probably keep Logan, but the Opp product wants more playing time.

“I want to go somewhere where I know I can play for them,” Logan said.

At Seattle, Logan’s primary role was on special teams. He was on both kickoff and punt units. He also has a role in the Seahawks’ “34” defense.

“I was on the a lot of the packages, like blitz and pass coverage,” Logan said.

Of the four teams that made the conference championship round, Logan said the only one his Seahawks played was the Raiders.

“You know we beat them at out place in December,” Logan said. “That was by far out best game of the season.”

“I know Oakland has got good defense. I would say that (Rick) Gannon is the best of the four quarterbacks who are left.”

Unfortunatly, the Raiders went down to defeat the Baltimore 16-3 on Sunday. They will meet the New York Gaints on Jan. 28 in Tampa for Super Bowl XXXV.