Hawks' Brown ready to prove he's worth price tag

KIRKLAND — The money, Josh Brown said, hasn't changed him.

"Life hasn't changed. I haven't bought anything drastic," the Seahawks kicker said. "I have my motorcycles, I've always been a Harley fan, but I still stay in my house. It's money to save. It's just the very beginning of what I would like to think is a very lucrative career, from a business standpoint."

Brown, Seattle's franchise player this year who is signed to play this season for $2.078 million — a major pay raise over the $721,600 her made last season — is wary he has to continue to produce the way he did in 2006 and throughout his four-year career. Last season he drilled four winning field goals, helping the Seahawks to their third consecutive NFC West title.

After the season, the Seahawks gave Brown their franchise tag. Brown feels valued by the team, but the payoff would be a long-term contract.

The Seahawks have until July 15 to work out such a deal with Brown's agent or wait after the season to resume negotiations.

"It was unbelievable to be considered as a franchise guy," Brown said. "But it does mean that I have a lot to prove. There are a lot of things on my shoulders and that's fine with me. I enjoy that, and I have no intentions of letting that reputation leave me."

Brown is on his fourth special-teams coach since the Seahawks drafted him in 2003. Bruce DeHaven replaced Bob Casullo this offseason, and before Casullo it was Mark Michaels and Pete Rodriguez.

Asked the difference between Casullo and DeHaven, Brown laughed.

"He talks less, he talks quieter, he's the other end of the spectrum as far as personality goes," Brown said of DeHaven. "He is definitely the calmest one [of the four]. If you put the ability to stay calm with incredible intelligence, he's the guy. He's very easy to talk to, very easy to get along with and he looks out for what's in the kickers' best interest for Sunday."

Notes

• According to a report on Sports Illustrated's Web site, the Seahawks have expressed interest in signing veteran free agent WR Keyshawn Johnson, who was released by the Carolina Panthers last week. Seattle is not considered a leading candidate for the 34-year-old Johnson, who might decide to go into broadcasting.

• RB Shaun Alexander, RT Sean Locklear and WR Deion Branch were not at Tuesday's practice, their absences prearranged. They were present Monday though this week's minicamp is voluntary.

• Alexander was asked if the rest of the NFC West has closed the gap on the three-time division champion Seahawks during the offseason. "They needed to," he said.

• Brown is soon to get his hair buzzed, but he had some fun with the clippers Tuesday. Someone shaved three straight lines into the back of his head. Brown said the lines will be gone by today.

• The Seahawks and FSN have announced a long-term extension of their agreement to provide insider access to the team on the cable network. The relationship between the Seahawks and FSN also involves community relations initiatives, in-stadium event entertainment and marketing programs.

• S Brian Russell, one of the Seahawks' free-agent pickups in the offseason, had two interceptions in practice and was close to a third before losing the ball off his hands in a crowd of players.

• CB Jimmy Williams, an unrestricted free agent, remains unsigned but is allowed to use the Seahawks' facility for rehabilitation on his surgically-repaired left knee. He was injured in the regular-season finale.

José Miguel Romero: jromero@seattletimes.com or 206-464-2409.