The Seahawks finally reached outside their house to sign a free agent, adding Jason Jones, a well-regarded defensive who played for the Tennessee Titans and may be the Seahawks answer to a better pass rush.
Seattle won out over division rival St. Louis, which is now coached by Jeff Fisher, former Titans coach. Jones visited Seattle Thursday and Friday after seeing St. Louis. His agent reported that the deal was for one year.
Jones, 26 in May, is 6-5, 272-pounder who was taken in the second round of the 2008 draft from Eastern Michigan by the Titans. Last season he played more outside than inside, which scouts consider his better position. He’ll be part of a rotation that includes Brandon Mebane and Alan Branch.
Jones started 28 games the past two seasons. He had 112 tackles, 15.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles.
The Rams Friday signed defensive tackle Kendall Langford to a four-year, $24 million deal, including $12 million in guaranteed money, which apparently closed out interest in Jones.
In another free agency development, backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst signed a two year deal Thursday with San Diego, his original NFL team. Whitehurst came to Seattle on a two-year, $8 million deal, but never lived up to the optimistic projections by Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.
Free Agents Signed
| Date | Player | Pos. | Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 10 | *Breno Giacomini | OL | $1.5 million base in 2012, $3 million in 2013 |
| March 4 | *Marshawn Lynch | RB | 4 years, $31 million, $18 million guaranteed |
| March 14 | *Red Bryant | EE | 5 years, $35 million, $14 million guaranteed |
| March 14 | *Heath Farwell | LB | Contrat terms not yet disclosed |
| March 15 | *Paul McQuistan | OL | Contract terms not yet disclosed |
| March 16 | *Michael Robinson | FB | Signed two-year deal; terms not disclosed |
| March 17 | ^Jason Jones | DL | Signed one-year deal; terms not disclosed |
Free Agents Lost
| Date | Player | Pos. | Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 14 | Roy Lewis | CB | Seahawks did not offer one-year tender |
| March 15 | John Carlson | TE | 5 years, $25 million with Minnesota Vikings |
| March 16 | Charlie Whitehurst | QB | Signed 2-year deal with San Diego Chargers |
| March 16 | Atari Bigby | S | Signed 2-year deal with San Diego Chargers |
*=Own free agent; ^Outside free agent
4 Comments
Nice to finally beat LA here, although I wouldn’t put as much into the absence of Beckham as a lot of people are: He’s been coasting on his name and past reputation for years (with a very occasional “look-at-that” move). Considering what he cost and what expectations were when he came to America, he’s more than underachieved…but, hey, he’s got a pretty wife.
Not having Keane DID hurt LA but they did have Donovan, who I’ve come to respect a lot more in recent seasons as he’s matured. It’s a good win.
I’m told it was his birthday too, and any pro athlete 35+ (other than Jamie Moyer) would prefer to acknowledge it quietly.