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We're a week into the 2008 NFL free-agent signing period and (after a very fast start) the pace has clearly slowed in recent days.

But we did close Friday out with a major move of interest -- a move that is all but certain to have wide-reaching implications for at least one team and a veteran superstar. ...

So let's get things rolling tonight in Seattle, where NFL Network insider Adam Schefter first reported the Seahawks agreed to terms with Cowboys free-agent running back Julius Jones.

According to ESPN.com insider John Clayton, Jones agreed to a four-year deal worth around $3 million a year. The contract was similar to the five-year, $14 million contract reached with halfback T.J. Duckett earlier this week.

With Jones and Duckett both in Seattle now, the question is whether or not Shaun Alexander will be around. The Seahawks decided to keep Alexander until they found replacements and now they've added a pair of potential replacements.

As Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio first reported two weeks ago, there were rumors at the NFL Scouting Combine that Alexander could be released. If Duckett's arrival lent further credence to those rumors, Jones' presence all but seals the deal.

Alexander is signed through 2013 and is due to earn a salary in excess of $5.5 million in 2008. Maurice Morris, who is due to earn a salary of $1 million in 2008, might also be in trouble.

According to Clayton, Jones is expected to compete for the starting job. Duckett was signed to be a short-yardage back as well as a backup fullback and power back.

Jones is a much faster, more elusive back than Duckett. The former Cowboy brings the kind of big-play threat the Seahawks' rushing attack hasn't boasted with Alexander and Morris. ...

In Chicago. ... Three days after agreeing to terms with veteran Marty Booker, the Bears added to their undermanned receiving corps again Friday by signing Brandon Lloyd to a one-year contract.

Lloyd, who played for Ron Turner when the Bears offensive coordinator was head coach at Illinois, originally entered the NFL as fifth-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2003. He played three seasons with the 49ers, catching a career-best 48 passes for 733 yards in 2005.

But he was traded to the Redskins in March 2006 for a pair of draft picks and only played in 15 games the next season (12 as a starter), catching 23 balls for 365 yards and no touchdowns.

The 26-year-old had just two receptions for 14 yards in eight games last season with the Redskins before being placed on injured Nov. 15 after breaking his collarbone in practice.

He was released by Washington on Feb. 26.

According to Associated Press sports writer Andrew Seligman, Lloyd immediately -- albeit inadvertently -- stirred a quarterback controversy Friday.

"Rex Grossman is the starter," Lloyd said during a conference call.

Well, not exactly.

The Bears have said that Grossman and Kyle Orton will compete for the starting job next season, and Lloyd apparently jumped to a premature conclusion. When asked who told him Grossman would start, the receiver backpedaled.

"That's what I'm assuming," said Lloyd. "That's what. ..."

His voice trailed off. Then, he said, "Orton and Grossman signed one-year deals. I figured Grossman was the starter. Open competition is what I'm being told right now."

Turner quickly set the record straight.

Speaking right after Lloyd, Turner started by saying, "Brandon said that he assumed it would be Rex. I just wanted to clarify that before we got going. You guys know the situation. It's an open competition. Both guys have been told that, and when I talked to Brandon about the quarterback situation, I talked about both guys -- about Rex Grossman and Kyle.

"We've got two guys who can get the ball to all of our receivers."

If any of them can get open. ...

And that's far from a lock.

To review: The Bears lost Bernard Berrian and Muhsin Muhammad. So, Booker and Lloyd join Devin Hester and Mark Bradley as the team's primary threats at wideout.

It's safe to say defensive coordinators throughout the NFC North will sleep soundly tonight. ...

In Carolina. ... The Panthers signed running back LaBrandon Toefield to a one-year deal Friday afternoon, giving them more depth in a backfield that lacked it.

Toefield was buried in Jacksonville behind Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew, but the Jaguars held onto him for a reason. He had 163 attempts for 572 yards and seven touchdowns in five seasons there.

At 5-foot-11, 232 pounds, he's a more physical presence than the Panthers had previously. Toefield also gives the Panthers depth behind starter DeAngelo Williams following the release of DeShaun Foster.

According to the Charlotte Observer, it still appears likely the Panthers will add another back in April's NFL draft.

In New Orleans. ... The Saints re-signed tight end Billy Miller on Friday.

The 6-3 and 252 pounds Miller is an eight-year veteran and has been with the Saints since 2006. He has 155 career receptions for 1,669 yards and nine touchdowns.

Since joining New Orleans, Miller has started nine of 26 games and caught 41 passes for 457 yards. His highlight with the team was a 57-yard reception last season that set up a touchdown in a victory over Jacksonville.

The signing gives the Saints two proven tight ends in Miller and Mark Campbell, who spent last season on injured reserve.

Also, Eric Johnson, a free agent tight end who had 48 receptions for 378 yards and two touchdowns with New Orleans last season, wants to return to the Saints. It remains to be seen if team officials share his interest. ...

In Washington. ... Rock Cartwright and the Redskins agreed to a $3 million, three-year contract Friday that keeps the free agent with the only NFL team he's played for.

The deal includes a $300,000 signing bonus for Cartwright, whose 25.8-yard average on kickoff returns ranked second in the NFC last season.

"I think he was happy being a Redskin. Didn't want to go anywhere else," team executive vice president Vinny Cerrato told the AP. "Said he wanted to take a look at free agency. He took a look -- and decided to re-sign with us."

Cartwright has played six NFL seasons since the Redskins drafted him in 2002. Over his career, he has 146 carries for 647 yards, along with 31 catches for 320 yards -- but he had only two runs for zero yards and no receptions last season. He has a career average of 23.9 yards on kickoffs. ...

That's it for this installment. ... Once again, I'll remind those interested in following along more closely to keep an eye on the News & Views and ESPN News Feed sections of the site.

And as always, those looking for something a little more in-depth should keep an eye out here, in the Headline News section.