Notebook: Keyshawn Johnson keyed up for Hawks?

KIRKLAND — He has a good history with Seahawks president Tim Ruskell. His representative says he has always admired coach Mike Holmgren, in part because Holmgren is also a USC alum.

Oh yeah, and the Seahawks could certainly use a big target at wide receiver with good hands and the ability to block downfield, too, now that Joe Jurevicius has moved on.

The signs seem to be pointing Keyshawn Johnson north to Seattle.

One of the most intriguing subplots of the current NFL free-agency period involves Johnson, a three-time Pro Bowl receiver released Tuesday by the Dallas Cowboys. The 33-year-old Los Angeles native already has expressed interest in talking to the Seahawks.

"It's a team that he would be interested in playing for," said Jerome Stanley, Johnson's business associate. "Seattle is on Keyshawn's radar, that's safe to say."

The money would have to be to Johnson's liking — he told Sports Illustrated that he is worth more than $2.5 million a season.

Johnson is a 10-year pro who is 20th on the NFL's career receptions list, with 744.

"Man, I think about [Seahawks quarterback] Matt Hasselbeck putting the ball between the 1 and the 9 on my jersey, and my heart starts racing," Johnson told the magazine Tuesday.

Johnson has also expressed an interest in the Carolina Panthers, and he still could go back to the Cowboys. The New England Patriots also could be a place for Johnson because of his admiration for coach Bill Belichick, with whom Johnson worked when they were both with the New York Jets.

Stanley said no visit to the Seahawks has been arranged.

Johnson has something of a stormy past, including his public criticism of former Jets teammate Wayne Chrebet and his late-season deactivation by Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden in 2003.

Johnson spent the past two seasons in Dallas, catching touchdown passes in both games against the Seahawks.

Receiving attention

Seattle is bringing three free-agent receivers in for visits in the coming days.

Minnesota's Nate Burleson, a Seattle native, arrived Thursday night. Antonio Chatman, who spent his first three pro seasons with the Green Bay Packers, is expected at team headquarters Monday. And Tim Dwight — an eight-year veteran who has played for Atlanta, San Diego and New England — will be in Kirkland on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Chatman (5 feet 9) and Dwight (5-8) are small, speedy receivers who are also both accomplished return specialists. Chatman already has visited with the Jets and was to meet with the Cincinnati Bengals today.

Chatman and Dwight each averaged 8.5 yards per punt return in 2005. Chatman had the league's longest return, an 85-yard touchdown.

No Seahawk averaged better than 5.8 yards a return last season.

Chatman was the Packers' No. 2 receiver in 2005, with 49 catches for 549 yards and four touchdowns. His agent said the Packers don't want him back because they are changing their offense under new coach Mike McCarthy and seek bigger receivers.

More visits

Seattle had linebacker Jamie Winborn, a former San Francisco 49er who played most of the 2005 season in Jacksonville, in for a visit Thursday.

Winborn, 26, was traded in midseason to the Jaguars from the 49ers. A former starter, he had just 17 tackles in eight games in 2005.

Linebacker Julian Peterson, Winborn's former teammate in San Francisco, arrived Thursday night and concludes his visit today.

Notes

• Multiple reports indicate the Seahawks are leaning toward matching the financial terms of the Minnesota Vikings' offer sheet for LG Steve Hutchinson. However, the team is not expected to include the clause that stipulates that Hutchinson be the team's highest-paid offensive lineman. The offer sheet is worth $49 million over seven years, with a first-year salary-cap count of $13 million. The Seahawks have until Monday to decide.

• The Seahawks re-signed CB Jimmy Williams to a one-year contract. Williams had two interceptions and was the team's punt returner for much of last season. Also, DT Rocky Bernard signed his three-year, $13 million contract.

• Kicker Josh Brown, one of the Seahawks' restricted free agents, has been contacted by the Cowboys but has yet to visit with them. If Brown is signed to an offer sheet, the Seahawks would have the right to match or receive a seventh-round draft pick.

• The Pittsburgh Steelers signed DL Rodney Bailey to a one-year deal. Bailey appeared in spot duty in eight games for Seattle in 2005, recording 13 tackles.

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