Seahawks bring back Gray with 2-year deal

 

KIRKLAND, Wash. (AP) -Spurned by their primary offseason target for bolstering the offensive line, the Seattle Seahawks are instead bringing back veteran guard Chris Gray.
Gray, who turns 37 in June, will be starting his 15th season – his 10th with the Seahawks. His team record of 121 consecutive starts ended last Dec. 31 in the regular season finale because of a bruised right quadriceps, but he returned to start both Seattle’s playoff games in January.
He will get a two-year contract worth $2.1 in base salary plus bonuses.
The Seahawks were close to signing San Diego guard Kris Dielman early last month. But Dielman heeded constant calls from Chargers teammates to stay with the defending AFC West champions so Seattle turned back to Gray, who arrived in 1998 as a free agent from Chicago after playing his first four seasons in Miami.
Seattle’s starting offensive line entering the 2007 season will likely have Gray at right guard and oft-injured veteran Floyd Womack, who re-signed earlier this offseason at left guard.
Sean Locklear, a third-round draft pick in 2004, will be at right tackle opposite Jones. Chris Spencer, the team’s first-round pick in ’05 who started 13 games plus both playoff games last season, will be back at center.