Seahawks load up on experience as draft approaches
SEATTLE – The Seattle Seahawks apparently couldn’t wait two more days to start shoring up some needs in the NFL draft.
Seattle added three experienced NFL starters on Thursday, when former University of Washington wide receiver Jerome Pathon and linebacker Jamie Sharper signed with the team and cornerback Andre Dyson agreed to terms on a five-year deal.
To clear the money for all three moves, Seattle released veteran Chad Brown. The 34-year-old linebacker was scheduled to make $4.2 million in base salary in 2005.
In addition to Brown’s release, the signing of Sharper has long been expected. The 30-year-old signed a five-year, $17.5 million contract, nearly two weeks after agreeing to terms with the team.
Dyson and Pathon were also key additions, despite their late decisions to become Seahawks.
Dyson, who ESPN is reporting will receive a $17.5 million contract that includes a $3 million signing bonus, started his final 48 games for the Tennessee Titans over the past three seasons. The 5-foot-10 Dyson is expected to challenge recent acquisition Kelly Herndon for a starting spot.
Pathon could also eventually challenge for a starting spot, but it’s more likely that he’ll add depth to an already crowded receiving corps.
Pathon joins a team that returns eight of its nine wideouts from last season and has already added veteran Joe Jurevicius.
Pathon, 29, has started 62 of his 91 NFL games, including seven starts with the New Orleans Saints last season. He had 34 receptions in 2004 after catching at least 40 in four of his first six NFL seasons with the Saints and Indianapolis Colts.
Pathon joins fellow UW product Omare Lowe as ex-Huskies on the Seahawks’ roster. Lowe, a cornerback who turned 27 this week, was signed three weeks ago.
The signing of Sharper came as no surprise, as he agreed to terms on April 11. But Sharper and his agent had been traveling and were not able to officially sign the contract until Thursday afternoon.
“It really feels like I’m home,” Sharper said. “I feel like they really, really wanted me. It’s the culmination of a long process.”
The release of Brown came because the veteran was unwilling to take a pay cut of $3.2 million for the upcoming season. He spent the past seven seasons with the Seahawks, the final three of which were marred by a series of injuries. Seattle hasn’t decided whether Sharper will take over Brown’s starting spot at strongside linebacker or play middle linebacker.