Seahawks kick the tires on Ray Edwards

Ray Edwards could sign with Seattle Wednesday
By Mike Florio | ProFootballTalk.com

Hebron Fanguopo took Jason Jones’ spot on Seattle’s 53-man roster last week after Jones suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Fanguopo did not take Jones’ role, though. Jones was signed in free agency to boost Seattle’s pass rush, specifically out of its nickel package. Fanguopo, on the other hand, is a run-stuffing nosetackle, who was active for last week’s game to help buttress the run defense in anticipation of the 49ers’ ground-bound attack.

That’s a long way of saying that it makes sense for Seattle to be inquiring — possibly even adding — someone to help the pass rush. Could that someone be Ray Edwards, who was released by Atlanta a month ago? Edwards worked out for the Seahawks this week, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.

The Seahawks were expected to pursue Edwards in free agency last year after he hit the open market having totaled 8 sacks for Minnesota in 2010 and 8.5 sacks in 2009. Edwards signed with Atlanta, where he had 3.5 sacks in 20 games before he was released last month. His departure was surprising, and it came after Edwards initially declining to join a team gathering in the locker room after a game against New Orleans, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports.

The player Seattle’s interest in Edwards might reflect most upon, however, is Jaye Howard, the rookie defensive lineman from Florida. A fourth-round pick, Howard was chosen in large part because of his pass-rush abilities. He has been active for one game this season while fellow rookie Greg Scruggs earned a role in Seattle’s defensive-line rotation.

Comments | More in Transactions | Topics: nfl, ray edwards