By Liz Mathews

The Seahawks' OTA was open to the media Wednesday, but head coach Pete Carroll was not made available to comment on the specifics of the practice.

Defensive lineman Jason Jones spoke to the media for the first time at the VMAC since signing with the team as a free agent this offseason. He said the first thing he noticed about his Seahawks teammates was the swagger of the defense.

"They fly around to the ball, we have a Pro Bowl secondary, and we have a great D-line with Red [Bryant], [Brandon] Mebane and all the other guys," Jones said. "So I come here and just add my little thing to it. We're very confident as a defense."

Jones, 26, is entering his fifth season in the league after spending his first four years with the Tennessee Titans.

Originally hoping to play basketball in college, Jones didn't step onto the football field until the 11th grade. Offered a full scholarship to Eastern Michigan, Jones began his college career as a tight end, but quickly moved over to the defensive side of the ball.

A versatile lineman, Jones played his first three years with the Titans at the three-technique spot and began to transition into a five-technique role last season. Jones has been working at both spots for the Seahawks throughout OTAs.

Jones said that his athleticism and play-making abilities are what he brings to the table.

"Just to bring an extra pass-rush to the defense," Jones said of the coaching staff's expectations for him this year. "Having a backup for Red, being an extra body out there. If they need to plug me in, I'm ready to go anywhere."

News and notes

The Seahawks confirmed that Brian Banks is scheduled to work out for the team on June 7. Banks was recently exonerated from a rape conviction after it was discovered he had been falsely accused. Pete Carroll once recruited Banks, who had verbally committed to USC prior to his charge. Banks also has upcoming tryouts scheduled with a number of other teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins and Washington Redskins.

Wide receiver Golden Tate suffered a hand fracture according to ESPN.com's Mike Sando. Tate sat out practice last week with his hand in a cast, but Carroll had not confirmed the extent of his injury. Both wide receivers Kris Durham and Sidney Rice were able to get some work on Wednesday after missing the first few weeks of the offseason while recovering from shoulder surgeries.

Defensive end Chris Clemons was absent from the OTA on Wednesday. Clemons has not been present at any of the voluntary activities this offseason. The first mandatory workout is not scheduled until June 12; Clemons will face fines should he miss the minicamp practices.

Right guard John Moffitt took a number of reps at center on Wednesday. Moffitt recently returned to full practice after suffering a season-ending knee injury last year.

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