NFL

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll suggested Thursday that Charlie Whitehurst will be given the opportunity to push Matt Hasselbeck for the starting quarterback job this season. “Charlie is coming in here to battle,” said Carroll. “He’s going to show where he fits into the whole thing.” Though Carroll pointed out that Hasselbeck is leading the offense, he qualified it by adding that Whitehurst “is going to take his shot at it every turn.” Whitehurst’s rate of development in the new offense will determine how quickly he can give Hasselbeck a run for his money. We still expect Whitehurst to open the season on the bench if Hasselbeck remains with the team.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Philadelphia: Philadelphia Eagles released WR Kevin Curtis. Together with Darren Howard’s release, the moves will save the team almost $10 million in salary and bonuses this year alone. With Jason Avant locked in as the slot receiver, Curtis no longer had a role on offense while bringing no value to special teams. After spending all of last season nursing a knee injury, Curtis is facing questions about how much he has left in the tank this offseason. His best bets for a landing spot are a return to St. Louis or Mike Martz’s offense in Chicago.

San Francisco: According to NFL Fanhouse’s Nancy Gay, the San Francisco 49ers and GM Scot McCloughan are cutting ties over what is being termed a “personal matter.” “I’m fine and moving forward,” McCloughan said Thursday. The breakup is said to be by mutual agreement due to “longstanding personal issues.” The Niners will make an announcement later today, and director of player personnel Trent Baalke is expected to fill many of the GM duties.

Denver: Brady Quinn reiterated Thursday the Lisfranc sprain in his left foot is fully healed. Quinn said he could do a seven-step drop, plant and throw with no pain. Quinn won fans among Denver media Thursday, asking for each reporter’s name to get to know them before answering questions at his introductory press conference.

Free Agency: In addition to the 49ers and Lions, the Jags and Saints are also expected to send representatives to free agent Pacman Jones’ workout Friday. First he’ll meet with the Lions, headed by his former defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Pacman showed up out of shape and flunked an interview session with the Bengals a month ago, but it sounds like he has yet another chance to get back in the league if he takes this tryout seriously.

Kansas City: Restricted free agent ILB Derrick Johnson is expected to sign his tender “in the coming days,” according to Scout.com. Johnson had hopes of testing the open market, but he wasn’t going to draw serious interest at the price of a first-round pick. A nickel backer with the Kansas City Chiefs last season, he’ll remain available in trade.

2010 NFL Draft: Florida State CB Patrick Robinson improved his forty times at the Seminoles pro day workout Thursday, posting a 4.38. Robinson was at 4.42 and 4.49 at the combine earlier this month. He’ll battle athletic Rutgers CB Devin McCourty to go off the board as the third corner after Florida’s Joe Haden and Boise State Kyle Wilson late in the first round.