Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider took a chance on a pro basketball player making the switch to tight end.
First reported on the NFL’s website, Seattle plans to sign Darren Fells, younger brother of New England tight end Daniel Fells, to a contract. The deal is expected to be made official today.
According to the report, Fells, 26, worked out for Seattle at the team’s facility Tuesday, and the Seahawks were impressed enough to offer Fells a three-year deal.
The 6-foot-7, 280-pound Fells spent last season playing professional basketball for Libertad Sunchales in Argentina. Fells also played in Mexico, France, Finland and Belgium.
Fells played college basketball at the University of California, Irvine. He did not play football in college, but Fells was an all-state tight end at Fullerton (Calif.) High School.
The Seahawks have had some success with unconventional roster moves during coach Pete Carroll and Schneider’s tenure, including signing reclamation projects in receiver Mike Williams and cornerback Brandon Browner.
And Seattle also has had its share of hiccups, including the trade for running back LenDale White, signing receiver Terrell Owens and drafting athletic Jameson Konz in the seventh round of the 2010 draft. Konz is currently a free agent.
The addition of Fells gives Seattle 63 players under contract with a week to go before free agency begins. Seattle has four other tight ends on the roster — Zach Miller, Anthony McCoy, Sean McGrath and Cooper Helfet.
MILLER’S GUARANTEE
Denver linebacker Von Miller guaranteed his team will win the next Super Bowl.
The pass-rushing specialist is dedicating the season to his 6-year-old cousin who recently emerged from a coma after a car accident in West Texas.
On Monday, Miller tweeted: “You can post this where ever.. Denver broncos will win the Super Bowl” in the 2013 season. He added hash tags “4UJEREMIAH” and “IGUARANTEEIT58.”
Miller did not back down in a later phone interview.
“I guarantee that we will win the Super Bowl in 2013,” Miller said.
No one pointed out to Miller that the next Super Bowl is scheduled to be played on Feb. 2, 2014.
EXTRA POINTS
The Packers declined to use their franchise tag on Greg Jennings, meaning the star wide receiver will become an unrestricted free agent next week. … Linebacker Shawne Merriman, a three-time Pro Bowl selection and 2005 defensive rookie of the year, said he is retiring. … The Browns hired Ray Farmer as assistant general manager, and changed vice president of player personnel Mike Lombardi’s title to GM. … The Cardinals are close to making a deal to move training camp from Flagstaff, Ariz., to Glendale, where Arizona plays its home games. … The Vikings released veteran receiver Michael Jenkins, clearing $3.25 million of space under the salary cap. … To free up cap room, the Chiefs restructured the contract of defensive end Tyson Jackson, the No. 3 overall pick in 2009.
McClatchy news services contributed to this report.
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