Thurman signs with Giants; Seahawks talking to Allen

The Seattle Seahawks lost a key member of their defense Sunday when cornerback Walter Thurmond signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the New York Giants. They also showed, though, that they aren’t done making possible additions, even if they have been pretty quiet since the NFL free-agent signing period began Tuesday. Defensive end Jared Allen, who earned a reputation as one of the best pass rushers in the NFL during a 10-year career with Minnesota and Kansas City, visited the Seahawks over the weekend, a league source confirmed. Allen was reported to have returned home and also expected to take other visits, with no decision imminent. It’s also been reported that Allen, who turns 32 in April, may retire if he doesn’t get the kind of offer he wants. That Seattle hasn’t been real active hasn’t been unexpected since the conventional wisdom heading into free agency held that the Seahawks likely wouldn’t be major players. Coming off a Super Bowl title and with a young roster, Seattle’s main goal heading into the offseason appeared to be keeping its team as intact as possible. The relative lack of activity has Seattle with $14.2 million left in salary-cap space for 2014, 15th of the 32 NFL teams. It has been confirmed the Seahawks have brought in at least three other free agents for visits – defensive linemen Jason Hatcher and Henry Melton and tight end Jermichael Finley. Hatcher, though, signed with Washington, while Melton and Finley remain unsigned. Melton, who visited Seattle late in the week, is reported to have a trip set to Dallas today and is also considering Minnesota. Thurmond is the sixth unrestricted free agent the Seahawks have lost. The others are cornerback Brandon Browner (Patriots), receiver Golden Tate (Lions), defensive tackle Clinton McDonald (Buccaneers), safety Chris Maragos (Buccaneers) and offensive tackle Breno Giacomini (Jets). Seattle has five free agents unsigned, including Steven Hauschka, the only kicker on the roster.