Springs Signs On In Seattle Hawks’ Top Pick Ends Holdout; Jones Expected To Sign Today

Cornerback Shawn Springs, the third player chosen in the NFL draft this year, has signed a contract with the Seattle Seahawks, his agent said Saturday night.

Offensive tackle Walter Jones, selected by Seattle with the sixth overall pick, has agreed to terms, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported Saturday. Jones is expected to sign today.

Both players - who are projected as starters by coach Dennis Erickson - missed the first 18 days of training camp.

Springs has agreed to a seven-year contract worth $20 million that includes a $6 million signing bonus, said Ajili Hodari, a lawyer from Columbus, Ohio. Springs was on the sidelines for Saturday night’s exhibition against Arizona.

“He feels good about the contract,” Hodari said. “He doesn’t like what the IRS will get for its share, though.”

Springs will work out with the Seahawks in Cheney this week, and is expected to play next Saturday night in San Francisco.

“Shawn has been working out and he’s ready to go,” Hodari said. “He’s got to be. He gets Jerry Rice next week.”

Jones, a 300-pounder from Florida State, agreed to a six-year deal worth $12 million that includes a $4 million signing bonus, the P-I said.

Springs and Jones are expected to be key additions to the Seahawks under new owner Paul Allen along with free agents Chad Brown, Warren Moon, Willie Williams and Bennie Blades.

The Seahawks will be trying to get into the playoffs under Allen, the billionaire co-founder of the Microsoft Corp., for the first time since 1988. Allen bought the franchise from Ken Behring.