Not two full days into the NFL's free-agency period, the Seahawks have lost one of their top players from last season. And another key contributor from the NFC championship team appears destined to move elsewhere, if he hasn't done so already.
Wide receiver Joe Jurevicius signed with his hometown Cleveland Browns on Saturday, and the NFL Network reported that free safety Marquand Manuel opted to sign with the Green Bay Packers.
Jurevicius, 31, signed a four-year contract worth about $10 million, the NFL Network also reported.
Jurevicius caught 55 passes for 694 yards and led all Seahawks receivers with 10 touchdowns in 2005. He signed as a free agent with Seattle last offseason.
Both Manuel and Jurevicius became unrestricted free agents late Friday night. The Seahawks had spoken with both players' agents about returning but apparently wanted to see what kind of offers their own free agents would get before moving to re-sign them.
"This is where it all started for me," Jurevicius told The Associated Press. "I had opportunities to go to a couple different places. First and foremost, I wanted to become a Cleveland Brown, put on the orange helmet, play in front of Lake Erie and enjoy the feelings.
"This is going to add years to my career because of the excitement that comes along with it."
The departure of Jurevicius doesn't leave the Seahawks with major depth problems at wide receiver, though his production could be missed. Seattle still has starters in Bobby Engram and Darrell Jackson, and youngsters D.J. Hackett and Jerheme Urban performed well last season in spot duty.
Manuel started 11 regular-season and all three postseason games in relief of the injured Ken Hamlin and was a steadying influence on the secondary. He had 67 total tackles in the regular season.
Manuel's agent, Neil Schwartz, said Manuel was coming in to Green Bay for a free-agent visit and would not confirm if Manuel had already agreed to a five-year, $10 million contract that includes a $2 million signing bonus.
Reports that Packers had made or would make an offer to Manuel were floating around early last week, only Manuel couldn't accept it until free agency started.
Now the Seahawks are left with uncertainty at safety. Hamlin has not been cleared to return to action and Manuel is apparently gone, so the Seahawks figure to address needs at the position in free agency and/or the upcoming draft.
Jurevicius and Manuel might not be the only Seahawks on the move. Left guard Steve Hutchinson is scheduled to visit with the Minnesota Vikings in the coming days, even though he has been given the transition tag by the Seahawks, effectively making him a restricted free agent.
If the Vikings make an offer to Hutchinson, the Seahawks have the right to match it. As it now stands, Hutchinson would make $6.39 million in 2006 if he signs the transition tender.
The Seahawks are also one of the teams that defensive end John Abraham is considering visiting. Abraham, who seeks a trade from the New York Jets although he has been franchised, is already lining up visits elsewhere.
One free agent who is expected to visit team headquarters in Kirkland is cornerback Will Allen, who played for the New York Giants last season. The Giants have already signed cornerback Sam Madison and have no interest in bringing back Allen, a 5-foot-10, 196-pound veteran who started all 16 regular-season games last season.
Allen will be in Kirkland today or Monday, sources said, and also has a visit to the Arizona Cardinals planned. The Seahawks released Andre Dyson to clear more salary-cap space last week and seek depth at cornerback to compliment Marcus Trufant, Kelly Herndon and Jordan Babineaux.
And word out of Arizona is that defensive tackle Russell Davis could be in the area for a free-agent visit as soon as Monday. Facing the prospect of losing Rocky Bernard in free agency, the Seahawks might make an offer for Davis, a 6-4, 306-pound player with seven years of pro experience.
Wide receiver Joe Jurevicius signed with his hometown Cleveland Browns on Saturday, and the NFL Network reported that free safety Marquand Manuel opted to sign with the Green Bay Packers.
Jurevicius, 31, signed a four-year contract worth about $10 million, the NFL Network also reported.
Jurevicius caught 55 passes for 694 yards and led all Seahawks receivers with 10 touchdowns in 2005. He signed as a free agent with Seattle last offseason.
Both Manuel and Jurevicius became unrestricted free agents late Friday night. The Seahawks had spoken with both players' agents about returning but apparently wanted to see what kind of offers their own free agents would get before moving to re-sign them.
"This is where it all started for me," Jurevicius told The Associated Press. "I had opportunities to go to a couple different places. First and foremost, I wanted to become a Cleveland Brown, put on the orange helmet, play in front of Lake Erie and enjoy the feelings.
"This is going to add years to my career because of the excitement that comes along with it."
The departure of Jurevicius doesn't leave the Seahawks with major depth problems at wide receiver, though his production could be missed. Seattle still has starters in Bobby Engram and Darrell Jackson, and youngsters D.J. Hackett and Jerheme Urban performed well last season in spot duty.
Manuel started 11 regular-season and all three postseason games in relief of the injured Ken Hamlin and was a steadying influence on the secondary. He had 67 total tackles in the regular season.
Manuel's agent, Neil Schwartz, said Manuel was coming in to Green Bay for a free-agent visit and would not confirm if Manuel had already agreed to a five-year, $10 million contract that includes a $2 million signing bonus.
Reports that Packers had made or would make an offer to Manuel were floating around early last week, only Manuel couldn't accept it until free agency started.
Now the Seahawks are left with uncertainty at safety. Hamlin has not been cleared to return to action and Manuel is apparently gone, so the Seahawks figure to address needs at the position in free agency and/or the upcoming draft.
Jurevicius and Manuel might not be the only Seahawks on the move. Left guard Steve Hutchinson is scheduled to visit with the Minnesota Vikings in the coming days, even though he has been given the transition tag by the Seahawks, effectively making him a restricted free agent.
If the Vikings make an offer to Hutchinson, the Seahawks have the right to match it. As it now stands, Hutchinson would make $6.39 million in 2006 if he signs the transition tender.
The Seahawks are also one of the teams that defensive end John Abraham is considering visiting. Abraham, who seeks a trade from the New York Jets although he has been franchised, is already lining up visits elsewhere.
One free agent who is expected to visit team headquarters in Kirkland is cornerback Will Allen, who played for the New York Giants last season. The Giants have already signed cornerback Sam Madison and have no interest in bringing back Allen, a 5-foot-10, 196-pound veteran who started all 16 regular-season games last season.
Allen will be in Kirkland today or Monday, sources said, and also has a visit to the Arizona Cardinals planned. The Seahawks released Andre Dyson to clear more salary-cap space last week and seek depth at cornerback to compliment Marcus Trufant, Kelly Herndon and Jordan Babineaux.
And word out of Arizona is that defensive tackle Russell Davis could be in the area for a free-agent visit as soon as Monday. Facing the prospect of losing Rocky Bernard in free agency, the Seahawks might make an offer for Davis, a 6-4, 306-pound player with seven years of pro experience.
