BRADY HENDERSON

New Seahawks CB Tramaine Brock confident he won’t face discipline for cleared domestic violence charge

Aug 16, 2017, 10:41 AM | Updated: 4:15 pm

RENTON – The Seahawks have added another name to their cornerback competition, signing former 49ers starter Tramaine Brock to a one-year deal.

The team announced the deal on Wednesday, a day after Brock made a free-agent visit with the Seahawks. Brock’s agent, Ron Slavin, said the deal is for the veteran minimum. For a player of Brock’s experience – seven seasons – the minimum base salary is $900,000.

Brock, 28, was recently cleared in a domestic violence case that led to his release from the 49ers. Although the chargers were dropped, he could still face discipline from the NFL under the league’s personal conduct policy. Speaking with the media after practicing with the team Wednesday, Brock said he’s confident that “nothing will happen.”

Brock was arrested on April 6 on suspicion of felony domestic violence and child endangerment following an alleged incident with the mother of his children. The woman told police that Brock punched her in the face and choked her, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office. He pleaded not guilty to those charges.

They were dropped last week based on insufficient evidence because the alleged victim declined to cooperate, according to prosecutors.

Shortly after the charges were dismissed, the attorney for the alleged victim wrote in an open letter: “My client’s choice not to testify was voluntary and not dependent upon past or future actions by any part. She has indicated to me that this was a verbal altercation. She and Mr. Brock look forward to co-parenting their two young children.”

In a statement, Brock apologized to his family for what he also called a verbal altercation and was adamant that no physical contact occurred with the woman, saying he never put his hands on her.

Asked about the incident Wednesday, Brock said: “It was just a misunderstood situation because I wasn’t even at the house at the time. But the process and everything is under the rug and I’m moving forward from that situation.”

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll did not speak with the media Wednesday after doing so Tuesday.

Slavin, the agent, said that he’s hopeful there will be no discipline from the league.

“I can’t ever predict what they’re going to do,” he said. “I know with the information we have and the things in writing and the things that she’s already admitted, I know he’s going to cooperate, I’m going to be a part of it, I know she’s going to cooperate, so I’m hoping there won’t be.”

Brock started 31 games over the past two seasons and 40 in all over seven years with the 49ers, who released him the day after his arrest. Slavin said he was in discussions with the 49ers about an extension before Brock was arrested and that the team called once the charges were dropped. Slavin, though, said Brock wasn’t interested in returning to San Francisco partly because “felt like they turned their back on him a little bit.”

Brock will compete to be one of Seattle’s top three cornerbacks. Rookie Shaquill Griffin is battling Jeremy Lane and Neiko Thorpe to start at right cornerback opposite Richard Sherman, so Brock could give Seattle another veteran option there.

However, he’s listed at 5 feet 10 and 197 pounds, which is a bit shorter than what the Seahawks typically prefer in their outside cornerbacks. That points to the possibility that Seattle views Brock as an option at nickelback, which he played for part of his time with San Francisco. Lane has been Seattle’s nickelback the last three seasons. He missed a week of training camp before returning to practice on Tuesday.

“It’s the Legion of Boom,” Brock said. “I will love to be a part of it. It’s a great team, great coaches. I’m just trying to come out here and make plays and make the team.”

Note

The Seahawks also signed linebacker Rodney Butler, a move that is likely tied to K.J. Wright’s absence this week as he receives an unspecified treatment on his knee. Seattle waived receiver Jamel Johnson and waived safety Jordan Simone with an injury designation. Simone hurt his knee in Seattle’s preseason opener.

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