Originally published March 1, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified March 1, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Kicker Josh Brown going to St. Louis
The Seahawks grew accustomed to turning to Josh Brown in moments of suspense the past five years. Well, this week, they got turned down...
Seattle Times staff reporter
The Seahawks grew accustomed to turning to Josh Brown in moments of suspense the past five years.
Well, this week, they got turned down by Brown, an unrestricted free agent, who instead will sign with division rival St. Louis.
Friday evening Brown's agent confirmed his client signed with the Rams, the team Seattle beat twice in 2006 on last-minute field goals by Brown.
According to league sources, the contract is a five-year agreement worth $14.2 million, including a $4 million signing bonus. It is the largest ever for an NFL kicker.
That ends what was by all indications a negotiation with the Seahawks that lasted more than a year, concluding with the team apparently willing to offer Brown the largest contract for a kicker — thought to be $14 million for five years — but still unable to make a deal.
The Chiefs were interested in Brown, according to The Kansas City Star, and the Falcons previously requested information about Brown from Seattle.
The Rams' Jeff Wilkins, the team's career leading scorer and the best active long-range kicker in the NFL, announced his retirement Friday after 14 seasons. Wilkins, 35, had 1,223 points and 265 field goals with the Rams.
Seattle's plans at kicker will likely be two-pronged, bringing in a veteran or two to compete with a rookie for the spot. Jason Elam is considered the top remaining unrestricted free-agent kicker on the market.
Brown was an unrestricted free agent last year. The two sides didn't reach an agreement on a long-term contract, but the Seahawks kept him by designating him their franchise player and paying him a salary of $2.1 million.
Brown was the third of Seattle's players it wanted to re-sign this offseason. Cornerback Marcus Trufant and tackle Sean Locklear were the first two. The Seahawks signed Locklear and are still hoping to sign Trufant after affixing the franchise tag to him, and they made a push to keep Brown in the days before free agency began.
That culminated in an offer indicated to be $14 million over five years, which would have surpassed the five-year, $12 million contract Adam Vinatieri received from the Indianapolis Colts in 2006.
Brown's departure ends the Seattle tenure of a popular and pivotal player. Brown made 28 of 34 field-goal attempts last season, a year in which the Seahawks went through three long-snappers.
![]()
Crumpler departs Seattle
Tight end Alge Crumpler, 30, concluded his visit with the Seahawks on Friday. His agent said the visit was good and Crumpler was comfortable, but no deal with the Seahawks is imminent.
Free-agent itineraries
• LB Niko Koutouvides visited Tampa Bay on Friday, his agent said, and The Denver Post reported the Broncos expressed interested in Koutouvides.
• LB Kevin Bentley is scheduled to visit the Houston Texans beginning Sunday, his agent said.
• The Seahawks talked to representatives for New England defensive backs Eugene Wilson and Randall Gay — both free agents — but none of that progressed to arranging visits.
Note
• The Seahawks released tackle Tom Ashworth on Friday. Ashworth played two seasons with the Seahawks after signing a five-year deal with the team in 2006.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com
|
Josh Brown's
career field goals |
|||
| Year | Team | Made-att. | Long |
| 2003 | Seattle | 22-30 | 58 |
| 2004 | Seattle | 23-25 | 54 |
| 2005 | Seattle | 18-25 | 55 |
| 2006 | Seattle | 25-31 | 54 |
| 2007 | Seattle | 28-34 | 54 |
| Totals | 116-145 | 58 | |
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Seahawks believe running game is picking up speed
NFL | Kansas City releases running back Larry Johnson
NFL | Steelers beat Denver, extend winning streak to 5
Seahawks overcome 17-0 deficit to win 32-20
Jerry Brewer: David Hawthorne a quick study filling in for Seahawks' injured Lofa Tatupu

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Lt. governor's son shot by co-worker in Kent; gunman then shot self
- DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
263 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
262 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
207 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
189 - King County OKs 'don't ask' law on immigration
182 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
130 - Time to bring Ken Griffey Jr. back in 2010
95 - 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
90 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
85 - DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
75
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Rainier Pacific Financial calls rescue 'unlikely'









