WR Warrick, Seahawks agree on one-year deal

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, August 31, 2005

KIRKLAND – The Seattle Seahawks’ receiving corps, which provided very few answers during training camp, has gotten even more muddled with the addition of veteran Peter Warrick.

The 28-year-old wideout agreed to a one-year contract that, according to The Associated Press, is worth $1.4 million. The signing was not expected to be made official until today, when Warrick is scheduled to participate in a morning walk-through practice.

Warrick, who was released by the Cincinnati Bengals on his own request earlier this week, is expected to challenge for the No. 3 receiver role. Although he missed 12 games last season and underwent offseason knee surgery, Warrick passed a physical Wednesday and might play in Friday night’s preseason finale against Minnesota.

On the one hand, Warrick’s addition gives Seattle a sixth experienced receiver, further complicating an already-tight position battle. Then again, it may well give the team some clarity in that the signing could signal the end for veteran Jerome Pathon and third-year player Jerheme Urban.

Coach Mike Holmgren has already said that Seattle will keep starters Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram, along with special teams ace Alex Bannister. Joe Jurevicius and D.J. Hackett also appear safe, meaning there was probably only one roster spot remaining. Urban and Pathon appeared to be the best candidates for that spot, but Warrick could push both out of contention.

Before the signing of Warrick, Pathon expressed frustration over how he was being used in the preseason.

“Most situations I’ve been in, I knew I was going to be in the top three receivers because it was based on my performance on the field,” the University of Washington product said Wednesday. “I don’t know what’s going to happen here.”

Pathon said that when he signed in April, he was told that he would get a chance to compete for the starting split end job. That was given to Engram before training camp even started, and eventually Pathon was working behind Jackson at flanker.

After solid performances in the intrasquad scrimmage and preseason opener, Pathon got a chance to play split end but gradually slipped down the depth chart. He did not get much playing time in Saturday’s win over Kansas City.

“Most of the guys have been slotted where they’re going to be playing,” Pathon said. “Darrell Jackson was already playing the Z position, and then Bobby was named the X (split end), so what are we battling for?

“I really hadn’t felt that I was in a head-to-head battle with anybody. You can’t be in a battle if you don’t get the opportunity.”

Urban looked unlikely to make the roster after a slow start at training camp, but he broke out with four receptions for 66 yards against the Chiefs on Saturday. That gave him hope to make the final cut.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t” feel pressure to perform in that game, Urban said. “But at the same time, I was just excited to get in there, run some plays and have some fun.”

Urban started the past two seasons on Seattle’s practice squad, but he is no longer eligible for it now that he’s played in six regular-season games.

There is a chance Seattle could keep seven wideouts, especially when considering Bannister’s role as a specialist. But the team also has logjams at the running back and linebacker positions, both of which include several qualified special teamers.

Warrick is all but assured of making the final roster. While the Bengals gave up on him, Seattle saw enough potential to add him to an already-crowded receiving corps.

The fourth overall pick in the 2000 NFL draft, Warrick had a breakout season two years ago before knee and shin injuries kept him out of 12 games in 2004. He underwent offseason knee surgery, but wasn’t much of a factor in preseason games. He played in only one of Cincinnati’s three games and did not catch a pass.

Cincinnati already had two quality starters in Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who combined for 168 receptions last season, and an up-and-coming third receiver in 26-year-old Kelley Washington. Kevin Walter and rookie Chris Henry were having good preseasons, so Warrick requested to be released.

“There is some disappointment involved in making this move,” Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement released by the team on Tuesday. “But I believe it’s in the best interest of the Bengals and Peter to go forward.”

Former Bengals teammate Willie Anderson told the Cincinnati Enquirer that he was “sad” to see Warrick go.

“Give the man credit for standing up for the team,” Anderson told the newspaper. “All of this started because he came back too quick after surgery.”

According to The Associated Press report, Warrick’s contract included a $500,000 signing bonus and would add an extra $220,000 for 30 receptions, and another $220,000 for each increment of 10 receptions, up to a possible $880,000 for 60 receptions.

Warrick caught at least 50 passes in each of his first four NFL seasons, including a career-high 79 for 819 yards and seven touchdowns in 2003.

He suffered a knee injury late that year that slowed him down in the 2004 preseason, and a small shin fracture eventually ended his regular season.

The Florida State product set an ACC record for career receiving yards, with 3,517, in college.