Northwest Notes Jan. 26, 2013

Ex-EWU wideout Kaufman

invited to NFL combine

Former Eastern Washington University wide receiver Brandon Kaufman was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Feb. 20-26, his player representative said Friday.

Kaufman, who left at the end of his junior season to declare for the NFL Draft, is currently training in Florida. The NFL Draft is April 25-27.

The two-time NCAA Football Championship Subdivision All-American is being represented by Cameron Foster and the Foster Easley Sports Management Group of Seattle. Foster said Kaufman is currently training in Orlando with renown speed, strength and conditioning coach Tom Shaw at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Kaufman is in Orlando along with fellow former Eagle wide receiver Greg Herd. Herd, as well as 2012 Eastern senior Zach Johnson, are being represented by Foster.

Seattle hires Thomas

as new team VP

RENTON, Wash. (AP) - The Seattle Seahawks have hired former Cleveland and Miami executive Matt Thomas as their new vice president of football administration.

The Seahawks announced Thomas' hiring Friday. He replaces John Idzik, who left the organization to become the new general manager of the New York Jets.

Thomas spent the last three seasons with the Browns in the same capacity as his position in Seattle. He began his career in the NFL in 1998 with the Dolphins and spent 12 seasons with Miami. Seattle general manager John Schneider says Thomas came recommended by a number of top NFL executives.