RB Jones visits with Seahawks

Published 10:30 pm Thursday, March 6, 2008

Even though the Seattle Seahawks recently signed running back T.J. Duckett to a five-year contract, general manager Tim Ruskell on Thursday met with free-agent running back Julius Jones, who last season played with Dallas.

Jones is considered the second-best running back on the market, behind Michael Turner, who already signed a contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

However, on the surface it does not entirely make sense that the Seahawks are considering signing Jones, given their backfield already contains Duckett, Shaun Alexander, Maurice Morris and Leonard Weaver, and the team is expected to select a running back in the draft.

If the Seahawks indeed sign Jones, it is a pretty good sign that the end is near for Alexander, who many think still will be asked to restructure his sizeable contract or risk being cut.

Jones already has visited with Tennessee, but made the trip to Seattle despite the addition of Duckett, who will be used primarily in short-yardage situations.

Also in question is how exactly the Seahawks would pay Jones. They currently have about $8 million available under the $116 million salary cap, but much of that is earmarked for the upcoming rookie class. If the Seahawks signed Jones, they likely would have to make room for him by releasing another player. They currently have 46 players committed to the roster.

Jones’ agent, Kendall Kremer, did not return a phone call.

At 5-foot-10, 211 pounds, Jones gained 1,084 yards in 2006. However, he gave way to Marion Barber in the Cowboys’ offense last season, gaining only 588 yards on 164 carries.

Unlikely Greisen will sign with Seattle: The agent for free-agent linebacker Nick Greisen was skeptical about his client signing with the Seahawks.

Greisen, who played for Baltimore last season, visited the Seahawks on Wednesday and departed that night. Brad Leshnock, who represents Greisen, was not optimistic that Greisen was a good fit with the Seahawks.