Hawks using wait-and-see approach with free agents

KIRKLAND — The NFL free agency deadline passed Friday night, with the Seahawks not re-signing any of their own free agents nor making a play for a free agent.

Instead, the Seahawks chose to see what the market will be like for free agents before deciding whom to sign. Seattle enters free agency, which begins its first full day today, with roughly $16 million in salary-cap space.

Also, the particulars of the new collective-bargaining agreement between the players' union and league are still being examined, perhaps another reason the Seahawks took the wait-and-see approach for now.

The two most recognizable names of the Seahawks' 13 unrestricted free agents are wide receiver Joe Jurevicius and defensive tackle Rocky Bernard. The team had contract talks with the players' agents on Friday, but no agreements were reached.

Both Jurevicius and Bernard, key components to the Seahawks' success last season, figure to draw their share of attention and offers during free agency unless they are signed very soon. Both players have previously expressed the desire to re-sign with the Seahawks.

Bernard's agent didn't start serious contract negotiations with the Seahawks until after the collective bargaining agreement was ratified Wednesday.

One agent said he expects the Seahawks to take a similar approach to the signing period this year as they did with team president Tim Ruskell and lead contract negotiator Mike Reinfeldt at the helm last offseason. That approach was fairly cautious, as the Seahawks signed several free agents but didn't break the bank with their moves.

"One thing about Tim is ... he'll be able to find good players at a fair dollar figure," the agent said. "He might not have to do that [immediately]."

The Seahawks didn't pay a lot for players like defensive tackle Chuck Darby, linebacker Kevin Bentley, cornerback Kelly Herndon, defensive end Joe Tafoya and Jurevicius, and all played well last season in helping the Seahawks make it to the Super Bowl.

Tafoya is now a free agent. His agent, Rick Smith, said the Seahawks would like to retain Tafoya, and that the two sides will be talking about a deal over the weekend.

Safety John Howell was valuable on special teams last season until he tore a hamstring at San Francisco on Nov. 20. His agent, Peter Schaffer, also said there is mutual interest in Howell staying a Seahawk but that the sides will talk next week.

Contract talks involving Bentley have taken place. Bentley seeks a team that will give him the opportunity to play more.

The new bargaining agreement gives the Seahawks more time to work out a long-term deal with star left guard Steve Hutchinson. The team can negotiate a contract until July 15 instead of March 17, as it was under the terms of the previous labor agreement.

Hutchinson has been given the team's transition tag, and is guaranteed a $6.39 million in 2006 if he signs the one-year transition tender.

Note

• RB Shaun Alexander has agreed to a book deal with Oregon-based Harvest House Publishers. The book's title is "Touchdown Alexander: My Story of Faith, Football and Pursuing the Dream." Its hardcover version, co-written by Cecil Murphey, has a suggested retail price of $22.99 and is scheduled to be released Aug. 15.

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