The Front Row with JASON ELLIOTT Oct. 15, 2011

What started out as a joke could wind up a reality awfully soon.

And in this case, I'm not sure ESPN will make this decision any less of a circus.

SPECULATION BEGAN on Wednesday after Miami Heat forward LeBron James tweeted John Clayton of ESPN to inquire about when an undrafted free agent could sign with a team and play in the NFL this season.

James, whose day job remains on hold because of a lockout, seemed interested in joining a team, just in case the NBA lockout drags on until February.

Enter Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.

Carroll, who hasn't shied away from making some roster moves in his time in Seattle, began to inquire to James about his chances of joining the Seahawks as a wide receiver or possibly a linebacker.

The last time James played football, he was in high school in Ohio and while he was an all-state receiver in his time as a prep player in Akron, this isn't high school.

Don't get me wrong, should this turn out to be legit, I'll be tuning in to see every minute of it.

But I'm not going to hold my breath either.

IN THIS case, James has way too much to lose to risk injury in the NFL, no matter how much money is involved.

Football is a physical game, even for the best players.

Injuries are a big part of the game, no matter if your a 15-year veteran or someone playing in the Fitz League of Coeur d'Alene Junior Tackle.

Playing overseas is one thing - at least he'd still be playing basketball.

Eventually, he will be.

Does Seattle have interest for James? Of course.

Just in case anyone forgot, Carroll had more than 130 transactions last season during his first season as coach.

Not only that, but earlier this week, the Seahawks traded Aaron Curry, someone they selected in the fourth round of the NFL Draft three years ago, to the Oakland Raiders for some late-round picks.

So taking a chance on a player with some athletic ability like James might not be all that shocking.

As a Seattle fan, the thought of James coming to town leaves me with mixed emotions.

His talents at receiver could be what the team needs, but they also need to figure out who is throwing him the ball.

If defense is more his style, he could jump right into a secondary that has been giving up a ton of yards in their first five games of the season.

THEN AGAIN, there is a better chance an NBA team will be playing in Seattle before James is a Seahawk.

Even if the NFL is in his future, chances are Dallas, Miami or even Cleveland will likely use a full-court press to land his talents.

And that’s no joke.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at [email protected].