Originally published March 20, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified March 29, 2007 at 9:03 PM

Ruskell says Stevens no longer in Hawks' plans

Tight end Jerramy Stevens isn't in the Seahawks' plans moving forward, team president Tim Ruskell said today.

Seattle Times staff reporter

RENTON -- Tight end Jerramy Stevens isn't in the Seahawks' plans moving forward, team president Tim Ruskell said today.

"It's probably time for a change of scenery and move on from that situation," Ruskell said after a press conference at the site of the team's new headquarters in Renton.

Stevens was arrested in Scottsdale, Ariz., last week and charged with driving while under the influence and cited for possession of marijuana. A hearing is scheduled for April 2.

Stevens, 27, is an unrestricted free agent who played the past five years for Seattle. The Seahawks had given no indication before his arrest they planned to re-sign him, and signed tight end Marcus Pollard the day Stevens was arrested.

"We now have four signed tight ends so I think we're in good shape," Ruskell said.

Ben Joppru and Will Heller are also under contract, and Leonard Stephens spent last season on Seattle's practice squad. The Seahawks have added four players in free agency: Pollard, defensive end Patrick Kerney and safeties Deon Grant and Brian Russell. That doesn't mean Seattle is done.

"I would say we're not done," Ruskell said. "There won't be any big splashes, but we're not done."

The most prominent need will be along the offensive line. The Seahawks re-signed Floyd Womack, but even with that, Ruskell said the team will need to increase the depth. Right guard Chris Gray is an unrestricted free agent, and Ruskell said the team hopes to bring him back.

"We'd like to see him come back," Ruskell said. "He's still wrestling with the decision of playing or not playing. We'll have to let that take some time."

Wide receiver Bobby Engram is an unrestricted free agent, and Ruskell said the team hopes to re-sign him.

"We want to get that done," he said. "We're having some pretty intense talks right now."

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