free agent happenings around the league..

[THE KOD]

I think you shouldn't make too much of this, but Bill Parcells, czar of the Dolphins, holder of the first pick in the draft, called Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski the other day and requested video of every one of quarterback Matt Ryan's 654 passes last fall.
............................................................


:scared :0corn

If Parcells was serious about taking Ryan he would not have let this out to the media.

Someone that wanted Ryan real bad could trade up with Miami for some solid picks. But I doubt it.

They are just playing the NFL mock draft game at this point.

 

[IntenseOperator]

Bears trade Brian Griese to Tampa Bay

March 3, 2008
BY BRAD BIGGS bbiggs@suntimes.com

The Bears found a taker for Brian Griese after all.

Hours before the team was expected to release him, the team struck a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Terms of the deal are not known, but it is expected the Bears will receive a draft pick in 2009.


Griese was notified last Thursday the team would seek to trade him instead of releasing him before free agency opened. They had a deadline, however, because the Bears were not going to pay him the $300,000 roster bonus he is due tomorrow. The Bucs will now pick that up.

The 11-year veteran started six games last season and had a 3-3 record. He took over in Week 4 after Rex Grossman was benched. He helped direct a 19-16 comeback victory at Philadelphia Oct. 21 that sparked controversy after he said he had been calling the plays because the headset in his helmet faltered in the two-minute drill. That didn?t go over well with offensive coordinator Ron Tuner, and Griese made an awkward clarification of events the next day. Griese suffered a minor injury to his left shoulder Nov. 11 at Oakland and was relegated to the sideline for the rest of the season.

The Bears signed Griese to a five-year contract worth between $14 million and $20 million depending on play-time incentives two years ago. General manager Jerry Angelo hailed it as a major accomplishment as it brought stability to the position that had been missing. The team has already announced competition for the starting job will be between Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton, and the club is expected to draft a passer next month. Griese has been with four teams and was let go by the Buccaneers in 2006 for salary-cap reasons. He had a strong relationship with coach Jon Gruden and Tampa?s new quarterbacks coach Greg Olson has always liked Griese. Olson lobbied for the Bears to wait for Olson to be cut by Denver in 2003 to sign him instead of going with Kordell Stewart. That idea didn?t go anywhere, but Griese wound up here eventually.

His contract calls for a base salary of $1.4 million in 2008, $1.8 million in 2009 and $2.2 million in 2010.

 

[IntenseOperator]

Bears rescind offer to Ayanbadejo

March 3, 2008
BY BRAD BIGGS Staff Reporter

Don?t look for Pro Bowl special teams player Brendon Ayanbadejo to be returning.

The Bears broke off negotiations with Ayanbadejo Monday, pulling from the table a multi-year contract offer that had been in place. It?s an interesting development because agent Drew Rosenhaus surely shopped the deal the Bears presented to see if he could create a bidding market for Ayanbadejo, who is second in the league in special teams tackles over the last two seasons, according to Stats, Inc. He has not signed with anyone.


Ayanbadejo said he was going to speak with Rosenhaus tonight and hoped to be signed this week.

The Bears first went to Ayanbadejo with a contract offer in October and apparently decided it wasn?t going to chase someone they consider to be a specialist further into free agency. It?s expected the Bears will move forward with an eye toward the veteran wide receivers remaining on the market. The Bears made the decision to move forward with their free agency plan of re-signing their own and will focus on defensive tackle Tommie Harris, return specialist Devin Hester, kicker Robbie Gould and defensive end Mark Anderson.

Ayanbadejo was named a captain last season and made it known he wanted to be the highest-paid special teams player in the league. But he will be 32 when the season begins and doesn?t play defense, something Ronsenhaus said they were hoping to find in a suitor. Special teams coordinator Dave Toub now must find an ace for his unit that has been No. 1 the last two seasons. Linebackers Nick Roach and Darrell McClover could be candidates. Lineman Israel Idonije was a Pro Bowl special teams alternate, but he could have an expanded role on defense.

 

[AR182]

the jets are very active in re-doing their lines...

Free-agent news

Jets add OLB Pace, OL Woody; QB Griese headed back to Bucs

By PFW staff
March 3, 2008


Updated at 6:45 p.m. EST Monday, March 3

Following is a summary of the news involving free agents and other contract-related news around the league:

The Patriots have finalized a deal with WR Randy Moss, keeping him in New England with a three-year, $27 million contract. There were reports that an agreement was near earlier Monday, but it didn't become official until early this evening.

Through the early part of free agency, the Giants have stuck to the principles that helped earn them a Super Bowl title ? namely, not overpaying for free-agent talent. When Gibril Wilson left to sign a monster deal with the Raiders, the Giants didn?t panic. And today, they signed a possible replacement: 12-year veteran Sammy Knight, who could compete with a rookie or another free agent to play in Wilson?s vacated FS spot.

After wrapping up negotiations and signing QB Ben Roethlisberger to the largest contract in franchise history, the Steelers added a weapon to the backfield, inking UFA RB Mewelde Moore to a three-year contract. Moore had 1,285 rushing yards in four seasons with the Vikings.

The Cardinals signed UFA TE Jerame Tuman to a two-year contract on Monday. Tuman appeared in six games with the Steelers in 2007 before he was placed on injured reserve and served primarily as a blocking tight end.

Mere hours after inking OLB Calvin Pace to a lucrative deal, the Jets signed OL Damien Woody to a five-year, $25.5 million contract, ESPN reported. Of that, $11 million is guaranteed. After finishing the 2007 season with the Lions at tackle, Woody, who has played the majority of his enigmatic career inside, is expected to be plugged in at right tackle. After signing Woody and OG Alan Faneca, the Jets have invested $65.5 million into their O-line this offseason.

The Dolphins re-signed SS Yeremiah Bell to a one-year deal worth $1.4 million
Monday afternoon. Bell is coming off a torn Achilles that limited him to one game in 2007, but was nonetheless considered the most important free agent for the rebuilding Fins to bring back.

OG Chris Naeole was released by the Jaguars on Monday after six seasons with the team. The 11-year veteran missed the final eight regular-season games last year after suffering a torn quadriceps tendon.

The Lions signed UFA TE Michael Gaines to a four-year contract, the team announced Monday. Gaines, a four-year veteran, had a career-high 25 receptions for 215 yards last season with the Bills. Detroit also announced it has re-signed TE John Owens to a one-year deal.

The Jets continued to revamp their defense Monday, inking UFA OLB Calvin Pace to a six-year, $42 million contract, according to Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com. The team acquired DT Kris Jenkins in a trade with the Panthers and dealt MLB Jonathan Vilma to the Saints last week.

The Bears sent QB Brian Griese to the Bucs for an undisclosed 2009 draft pick Monday, according to a Bucs press release. Griese played for Tampa two seasons ago before he signed with Chicago and will compete with Luke McCown to be the primary backup to Jeff Garcia.

Various reports say the Patriots are in talks to finalize a deal with UFA WR Randy Moss on a three-year contract worth $27 million. Before free-agency began Feb. 29, rumors circulated that Moss and New England already had an agreement in place to keep him with the club, but it appears those reports were inaccurate, since negotiations have gone on for more than three days. Moss reportedly took offers from other teams during the process and ESPN.com reported Sunday that he and former teammate QB Daunte Culpepper discussed reuniting to finish what they started with the Vikings.

The Chiefs announced Monday that they claimed FB Oliver Hoyte off waivers from the Cowboys. Hoyte started 15 games in his two seasons with Dallas and will be used primarily as blocking back.

The Jets and Bengals have agreed to a deal that would send DT Dewayne Robertson to Cincinnati for fourth- and fifth-round picks in April's draft, according to report on ESPN.com. The trade will be made official once Robertson signs a new contract ? he has two years remaining on his current one ? and passes a physical.

The Steelers gave QB Ben Roethlisberger the largest contract in franchise history late Sunday night, signing him to a new eight-year, $102 million deal with $36 million guaranteed. Roethlisberger, 26, made the Pro Bowl last season and is one of just six quarterbacks in NFL history to receive a contract worth $100 million.

The Broncos and UFA LB Niko Koutouvides have reportedly agreed to terms on a three-year deal. The ex-Seahawk will contribute on special teams and could bolster Denver's linebacker corps.

Warrick Dunn hit the market Monday after being released by the Falcons following their Sunday signing of UFA RB Michael Turner. Dunn, an 11-year veteran spent the last six seasons with Atlanta and is third all-time in rushing yards with the franchise. "Warrick Dunn holds himself to the highest standards of the National Football League," said Falcons owner Arthur Blank in a statement. "His contributions, not only to the Falcons but to the entire NFL both on and off the field, have been well documented."

 

[THE KOD]

Agent: Titans agree to deal with
ex-Falcon Alge Crumpler

Published on: 03/03/08

Nashville, Tenn. ? The agent for former Atlanta tight end Alge Crumpler says the Pro Bowl tight end has agreed to a two-year contract with the Tennessee Titans.

Crumpler had been courted by two other teams, but agent James Williams said Monday morning that Crumpler and his wife liked Nashville when they visited last week.

The Titans also have offered the plus of playing with quarterback Vince Young, whose style is similar to Atlanta's Michael Vick.

Crumpler, a four-time Pro Bowler, was released Feb. 15 by the Atlanta Falcons. He was plagued by knee problems in 2007 and had only 44 catches. He was cut because he was due to count $5.1 million against the cap in 2008, too much for the rebuilding Falcons to spend
............................................................

Notice that Jim Mora would not take his old favorite Alge Crumpler. I hate to bad mouth the guy but I nicknamed him pork chop a long time ago. He always seemed to be overweight, one step slow, and dropping balls left and right when Vick was throwing to him.

With his knee problems this may not work out very well for the Titans , but that is what free agency is about.

The Falcons release Warrick Dunn. Another player that has been dragging the Falcons down for two many years. Unbelieveable how many coachs thought the best game plan was to run Dunn between the tackles for the last three years. It was just terrible for the team and a mis use of Dunns skills.

Maybe the Falcons are finally headed in the right direction.

 

[The Sponge]

The Falcons signed Michael Turner, a free-agent running back from San Diego, to a six-year contract Sunday. In doing so, they landed the player it desperately sought to bolster their running game. Atlanta also signed Tennessee free-agent tight end Ben Hartsock to a four-year, $9 million contract with $2.25 guaranteed.

The Falcons have signed their five immediate targets since free-agency began Friday. Quarterback Chris Redman re-signed for two years and defensive backs Erik Coleman (N.Y. Jets) and Von Hutchins (Houston) signed four-year deals.

Turner, though, was the biggest catch. The 5-foot-10, 237-pounder was considered the best free-agent running back available. His age (26), experience (four years), bruising style and game-breaking speed fit what the new coaching staff desires.
......................................................

:00hour :00hour

Game breaking speed? :mj07: This isn't like running behind the Chargers line. Well at least they got something. Now they get rid of Dunn for absolutely nothing. Do they even have a GM? When they Signed that overrated Louiville coach i was the first guy to say it was a bad move because he isn't even a good coach and bam he is already gone. Looks like the same guy who made that decision is making these ridiculous ones sending their best players out to the farm and getting nothing in return. When they take Ryan you might as well enjoy being on the bottom for years to come. The decisions being made now rival the Lions. What is next? Are they gonna get rid of the world class corner they have because he hurt someones feelings earlier in the year?:mj07: Instead of cutting him like they do with everyone else why not send him to the Eagles and we will give you something. You know what i would do if i was the falcons? Trade that pick and get more draft picks. Trade it to around ten to fifteen and then grab the running back from Arkansas and i don't mean McFadden. Then go get Booty. there you have two stars and probably an extra number one pick for next year for the trade i just suggested.

 

[THE KOD]

.....................................................


Yeh this is one of the Falcons best players.

The only thing he caught was five extra rolls with butter.

He should have been gone 2 years ago.

And DeAngelo Hall is a cancer in the locker room.

Problem is the league knows it and he is worthless at this time to trade.

Dunn sucks , has lost a step , and is too small.

Sponge - your lack of Falcons knowledge stuns me.

You should be worried about your old ass QB. There is no way the Philadelphia Eagles go to the playoffs . They suck

here is the biggest one you dont know about......

 

[THE KOD]

Falcons new GM Thomas Dimitroff:

ATLANTA (AP)?Thomas Dimitroff knows how he wants the Atlanta Falcons to operate: just like his previous employer.

The Falcons formally introduced their youthful general manager on Tuesday, convinced he can build the same sort of winner that he was part of in New England.

The unbeaten Patriots, preparing to face San Diego in the AFC championship game on Sunday, released Dimitroff from his duties as director of college scouting so he could take over right away as GM of the Falcons.

Dimitroff, who?s only 40 and, with his spiked hair, could pass for even younger, certainly needs as much time as possible to turn around the mess in Atlanta. This team is at the opposite end of the NFL spectrum after one of the most traumatic seasons any team has ever faced.

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?I left a secure situation,? Dimitroff conceded during a meet-and-greet at owner Arthur Blank?s palatial office. ?Obviously, there?s a lot of work to be done here. But not in any way do I look at it as a daunting task.?

The new GM must be the optimistic sort, because it?s hard to find much to like about the Falcons. The team lost quarterback Michael Vick before the season even began in a scandalous dogfighting case, and coach Bobby Petrino abandoned ship with three games to go in his debut year.

The Falcons finished a dismal 4-12 season with an interim coach (Emmitt Thomas) and a quarterback who was selling insurance a year earlier (Chris Redman).

?Michael Vick was an incredibly talented athlete and quarterback,? Dimitroff said. ?But we?re moving forward. We?re headed in the right direction. We?re not going to be remaining in the past.?

Not surprising in light of his background, Dimitroff said he intends to focus heavily on the draft and use free agency mainly to fill any remaining needs. He believes the team-first philosophy that prevailed in New England can work just as well in Atlanta.

?New England is truly about the team,? Dimitroff said. ?There?s people in place that believe in one direction. That starts from the bottom up.?

...........................................................

:shrug: :shrug: The new GM was hired months ago.

He is making decesions that McKay used to rely on Blank to make. And Arthur aint no football man, you dig Sponge. Arthur only knew how to push Vick in his wheelchair and provide millions to has been players.

 

[AR182]

Agent: Titans agree to deal with
ex-Falcon Alge Crumpler

Published on: 03/03/08

Nashville, Tenn. ? The agent for former Atlanta tight end Alge Crumpler says the Pro Bowl tight end has agreed to a two-year contract with the Tennessee Titans.

Crumpler had been courted by two other teams, but agent James Williams said Monday morning that Crumpler and his wife liked Nashville when they visited last week.

The Titans also have offered the plus of playing with quarterback Vince Young, whose style is similar to Atlanta's Michael Vick.

Crumpler, a four-time Pro Bowler, was released Feb. 15 by the Atlanta Falcons. He was plagued by knee problems in 2007 and had only 44 catches. He was cut because he was due to count $5.1 million against the cap in 2008, too much for the rebuilding Falcons to spend
............................................................

Notice that Jim Mora would not take his old favorite Alge Crumpler. I hate to bad mouth the guy but I nicknamed him pork chop a long time ago. He always seemed to be overweight, one step slow, and dropping balls left and right when Vick was throwing to him.

With his knee problems this may not work out very well for the Titans , but that is what free agency is about.

The Falcons release Warrick Dunn. Another player that has been dragging the Falcons down for two many years. Unbelieveable how many coachs thought the best game plan was to run Dunn between the tackles for the last three years. It was just terrible for the team and a mis use of Dunns skills.

Maybe the Falcons are finally headed in the right direction.

scott...

i think crumpler was a good pick up for the titans. i think he'll be motivated to play with fisher, who i think is one of best coaches in the nfl.i also think he will be a good safety vave receiver for young...

 

[THE KOD]

scott...

i think crumpler was a good pick up for the titans. i think he'll be motivated to play with fisher, who i think is one of best coaches in the nfl.i also think he will be a good safety vave receiver for young...

............................................................

Yeh time will tell the Crumpler story. But I have been watching him for too many years not to know his tendancies.

Something is not right about Vince Young. I am glad the Titans got him as QB. He could end up being another player that a team has to hang on to but wishs they never took him.

He makes bad decisions on plays. Still not sure what is wrong with him. Crumpler will not make Young any better. As a safety valve :142smilie

 

[THE KOD]

Dunn said the most emotional moment came when he spoke to Falcons owner Arthur Blank on Sunday night. "When I talked to Arthur, that was one of the hardest conversations that I had because I respect him so much," Dunn said. "In his first year buying the team, I was his first guy he signed. We had a special relationship and that's why it's so tough. There are no hard feelings and I'm happy they did what was best for Warrick Dunn and that was letting me go."
....................................................

" I was the first guy Blank signed"

This has been the problem for years. The untouchable Blank signings. Thats why Dunn was continuted to be used up the middle like he was 210 lbs instead of 180

Its the Jerry Jones syndrome of running a team.

How many others on the Falcons were in the same situation ?

All the ones that Sponge named as best.

 

[AR182]

Raiders, Walker agree to 6-year deal

Raiders, Walker agree to 6-year deal

The Oakland Raiders reached an agreement with Javon Walker on a six-year deal, according to a league source. The contract is worth $55 million with $16 million guaranteed. Under the terms of the deal, Walker will receive $27 million in the first three years.

Walker, who is entering his seventh NFL season, suffered through a disapppointing 2007 in Denver. He missed eight games due to a knee injury and finished with just 287 yards on 26 catches and no touchdowns. In his two healthy seasons where he was a full-time starter (Denver, 2006 and Green Bay, 2004), Walker averaged 1,233 yards and 10 touchdowns. He missed almost the entire 2005 season with a knee injury.

The former first-round pick out of Florida State will take the place of former Raiders receiver Jerry Porter, who signed a contract with Jacksonville last week

 

[AR182]

Following is a summary of the news involving free agents and other contract-related news around the league:

Wednesday, March 5

The Lions re-signed RB Aveion Cason to a one-year deal Wednesday. Cason will be used primarily on Detroit's special teams units.

The Panthers re-signed LB Donte' Curry to a two-year contract on Wednesday. He appeared in seven games last season and should see time mostly as a special teams contributor.

The Falcons released QB Joey Harrington, the third overall pick in the 2002 Draft, on Wednesday. Harrington spent less than a year in Atlanta and made 10 starts in 2007, throwing seven touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Falcons are left with the recently-re-signed Chris Redman and D.J. Shockley, who spent last season on I.R., as the only signal-callers on the roster.

Just three days after trading for him, the Browns locked up DT Shaun Rogers with a long-term deal. Cleveland sent a third-round pick and CB Leigh Bodden to the Lions for Rogers and signed him to a new six-year, $42 million contract on Wednesday.

The Bucs reeled in a pair of linebackers Wednesday, signing Teddy Lehman and Matt McCoy. Both will likely see time as backups and could contribute on special teams units. Lehman spent the last four seasons with the Lions and McCoy joined the Saints last season after playing for the Eagles in the previous two campaigns.

The Jaguars announced a collection of signings Wednesday, inking UFA DT Jimmy Kennedy, FA OTs Pete McMahon and Ryan Gibbons, and LS Brett Goode to new deals. Kennedy, the 12th overall pick in the 2003 Draft, spent the last three games of 2007 with the Bears and had three tackles.

The Patriots have re-signed UFA WR Jabar Gaffney to a one-year, $2 million deal, according to the NFL Network.

Tuesday, March 4

The Raiders continued their big-money spending binge Tuesday, agreeing to terms with WR Javon Walker on a six-year, $55 million contract with $16 million guaranteed, according to an NFL Network report. Walker was released by the Broncos Feb. 29 before he was due a roster bonus. Oakland also signed UFA OT Kwame Harris, formerly of the 49ers, to a three-year, $16 million deal.

UFA WR Marty Booker will return to Chicago after agreeing to a two-year deal with the Bears. Booker spent five seasons with the Bears before he was traded to the Dolphins in 2004. Chicago is in need of depth at receiver following the release of Muhsin Muhammad and the Vikings' signing of Bernard Berrian.

The Panthers signed UFA DE Tyler Brayton to a two-year deal on Tuesday. Brayton will likely compete with Charles Johnson for a starting spot opposite Julius Peppers if UFA Mike Rucker is not re-signed.

RB T.J. Duckett is headed to Seattle, agreeing to a five-year contract with the Seahawks. The NFC West champs will be Duckett's fourth team in the last four years. He spent last season with the Lions and rushed for 355 yards and three touchdowns. Duckett will backup RB Shaun Alexander next season, unless the 2005 MVP is released, as has been rumored in recent weeks.

With two significant contributors from last season's secondary gone to other teams, the Patriots tried to re-establish some depth Tuesday, signing CB Jason Webster. Webster, an eight-year veteran, will attempt to fill the void left by CB Asante Samuel, who signed with the Eagles, and CB Randall Gay, who agreed to a deal with the Saints March 2.

The Bucs signed veteran LB Leon Joe on Tuesday. It marks Joe's second stint with the team in less than a year ? he was claimed off waivers by the Bucs on Aug. 28, but was released Sept. 2.

The Bills re-signed OT Matt Murphy, the team announced on Tuesday. Murphy has a new deal as he prepares for his third season in the league.

With the revamping of their offensive line in full swing, the Jets released OT Anthony Clement on Tuesday. Clement, a right tackle, started all 33 games in his two seasons with New York. The team continued to dip into the free-agent pool as well, signing CB Andre Woolfork, who was out of the league last season.

The Cardinals boosted their defensive line on Tuesday, signing UFA DE Travis LaBoy to a five-year contract. LaBoy, a four-year veteran, had six sacks, 20 tackles and four forced fumbles last season in 13 games with the Titans.

Packers QB Brett Favre has decided to retire, according to early Tuesday morning reports. He leaves with a Hall of Fame resum? including the NFL records for passing touchdowns (442), passing yards (61,655), wins by a starting quarterback (160) and interceptions (288).

Monday, March 3

The Rams filled in one of the their biggest gaps Monday, signing UFA OG Jacob Bell to a six-year contract. Bell spent the first four years of his career with the Titans and made 31 starts in the last two seasons.

The Bengals signed the best UFA defensive end remaining Monday, inking Antwan Odom to a five-year, $29.5 million contract. Odam had a career-high eight sacks with the Titans last season and will receive $11.5 million guaranteed.

Carolina continued to retool its offensive line Monday, signing UFA OG Keydrick Vincent to a two-year, $2 million contract. Vincent was released by the Ravens before the start of the 2007 season, but was signed by the Cardinals and appeared in eight games. The Panthers released veteran OG Mike Wahle before the free agent signing period and needed to add depth at the position.

UFA LB Kevin Bentley agreed to terms with the Texans on Monday. Bentley, a six-year veteran, played in 43 games and started five times while spending the last three seasons with the Seahawks.

The Saints worked to keep their receiving corps intact Monday, re-signing UFA WR David Patten to a two-year contract. Patten had 54 receptions for 792 yards and three touchdowns last season. New Orleans hosted free agent QB Trent Green on Monday and may have interest in signing the 37-year-old to upgrade at backup quarterback.

 

[THE KOD]

Jessica Simpson can't quite seem to grasp the concept of keeping her private life private. Us reports the starlet wasn't shy about straddling beau Tony Romo at Los Angeles hot spot Villa Saturday night in front of a crowd that included her ex-assistant, CaCee Cobb, and Cobb's main squeeze, "Scrubs" actor Donald Faison. "Jessica was super social and energetic," recalls an eyewitness, who claims she treated the Dallas Cowboys quarterback to a lap dance during Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie." The mag says Romo was also spotted swigging champagne from the bottle as the DJ spun "You're the One That I Want" from the "Grease" soundtrack (in his defense, alcohol is usually necessary to make it through that song). "Jess and Tony were really affectionate, hugging and kissing," adds a spy to People. "They're really sweet with each other." Yet another bystander pipes in that the Texas twosome looked "insanely happy together," with a pal concluding, "Tony loves that girl." Just don't ask him if he plans to propose. "I'm sure I'll get married one day," Romo tap-danced to People on Monday at Cosmo's Fun Fearless Male of the Year Awards in New York, dismissing engagement talk as "rumors." "I don't know when." Coincidentally, the NFL-er shared the honor -- and posed for pictures -- with a former Simpson flame and a rumored onetime fling, prompting him to joke (via Us), "I was thinking, you have John Mayer, Dane Cook. If you date Jessica Simpson, I guess you're fun and fearless."

.............................................................

I think Romo should put Jessica on the free agent market. It would be a good career move.

 

[THE KOD]

 

[AR182]

Report: Julius Jones joins Seahawks

KIRKLAND, Wash. (AP) -- For the second time in a week, the Seattle Seahawks appear to have bolstered their offensive backfield, reportedly agreeing to a deal with free agent running back Julius Jones.

The NFL Network reported the two sides have agreed to a deal, and ESPN.com said it was for four years at about $3 million per season. The Seahawks had no comment Friday night and Jones' agent, Ken Kremer, did not return a phone message.

Earlier this week, the Seahawks signed former Detroit running back T.J. Duckett to a five-year contract. With Duckett and now Jones in the Seattle backfield, it brings into question the future of Shaun Alexander, the 2005 league MVP.

Jones, who spent his first four seasons in Dallas, is two years removed from the only 1,000-yard season of his career, when he rushed for 1,084 yards and four touchdowns in 2006. Last year, Jones was displaced in favor of Pro Bowler Marion Barber, and rushed for only 588 yards and two scores, the lowest numbers of his career.

Jones will turn 27 in August.

Seattle has dedicated this offseason to remodeling its running game, hiring former Kansas City offensive coordinator Mike Solari as offensive line coach and signing former Pro Bowl offensive guard Mike Wahle.

Duckett's signing was thought to potentially be a complement to Alexander, to help Seattle mostly in short-yardage situations the Seahawks' have struggled with the last two seasons.

But the Jones' deal could be a sign the team is going in a different direction.

Seattle's running game has significantly fallen off since Alexander was the league MVP for the 2005 season. That was when he rushed for 1,880 yards and 27 touchdowns as the Seahawks reached the Super Bowl.

Alexander has been injured and ineffective since, and Seattle has averaged just 4.0 yards per carry in 2006 and 3.8 last season.