SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks played host to one defensive tackle on Saturday, reportedly bringing Colin Cole of the Packers to town for a free-agent visit.

And while Cole was in town, a spot in the starting lineup opened up when Rocky Bernard agreed to sign with the New York Giants, according to a report from the Newark Star-Ledger on Saturday. There was no report on the terms of the deal.

Bernard played the past seven seasons in Seattle, and was one of the top pass rushers in 2005 when he had 8.5 sacks, the only time in his seven seasons with Seattle he finished with more than four sacks. The Seahawks re-signed him in 2006 to a three-year contract, and there were signs his Seattle tenure was nearing an end before that deal expired.

Bernard took a pay cut before the 2008 season began, according to information from the NFL Players Association database. Bernard had four sacks last season when he started 15 games. Bernard was drafted in 2002 out of Texas A&M.

Cole has been with the Packers since 2004 and has primarily been a reserve. He has not started a game either of the past two seasons. Seattle is expecting a visit from defensive end Chris Canty of the Dallas Cowboys, who will meet with the team Monday.

Bernard is the second free agent to leave Seattle this offseason. Detroit announced Saturday that Maurice Morris signed a three-year contract with the team. Morris' departure was not a surprise, either, given the money the team invested to sign Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett a year ago.

The departure of Morris could open up an opportunity for Leonard Weaver, who remains unsigned. Receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh left Seattle on Saturday and headed to Minnesota. He is expected in Tampa on Sunday, according to NFL.com, and Houshmandzadeh indicated to the Bengals' Web site that he hoped to reach a decision on Sunday.