Jurevicius Lands in Seattle

From the similarities on offense to the in-laws who can help baby-sit his 8-month-old daughter, Joe Jurevicius thinks he’ll be a good fit with the Seattle Seahawks.

The receiver was introduced last week, saying he won’t have trouble adjusting to a system that features many elements of the one he learned over the past three seasons in Tampa Bay.

“I’ll be able to do some things, whether it’s working in the slot with Bobby Engram or with the other guys outside,” Jurevicius said. “Maybe I can be a little bit of a bigger target in the end zone.

The 30-year-old Jurevicius is 6-feet-5 and 230 pounds.

“I’m not here to step on toes,” he said. “I’m here to help the Seahawks win.”

Tim Ruskell, the new general manager in Seattle, signed Jurevicius to a one-year contract last week.

Ruskell joined the Seahawks after one year with Atlanta, but spent most of his career with the Buccaneers. They were together in Tampa Bay when the Bucs won the Super Bowl after the 2002 season.

“He’ll do everything he can to catch the ball,” Ruskell said. “He’ll do the little things. Joe loves to block, and you’ll see that in his play. He’s a nice presence, a great teammate, a good guy to have on your team.”

Jurevicius, a seven-year veteran, had 27 catches for 333 yards and two touchdowns last season. He played in the final 10 games, making three starts, after being slowed early by knee and ankle injuries.

He hurt his knee in a collision with teammate Mike Alstott, Tampa Bay’s bruising fullback. Then, during rehabilitation, Jurevicius overcompensated for the knee injury and hurt his back.

“The most important thing is I played the last 10 games,” he said. “I ran into linebackers and defensive ends. I took hits from safeties and corners. If my knee didn’t buckle and my back didn’t break, I think that says I’m pretty healthy.”

Jurevicius said it was tough to leave Florida, where he has a home, but his wife grew up in Mercer Island, Wash. Though it didn’t drive his decision, he’s happy to have family nearby.

“It’s great for baby-sitting purposes,” he said. “It was really a very, very small part of my decision. When it comes down to it, you only play this game for a small time in the big scheme of things.

“I do believe my wife was happy that I just had a job.”