Jones Soda Co., a small Seattle-based firm, has beat beverage titan Coca-Cola to acquire the soft-drink rights at Qwest Field and its Event Center for the next five years, according to a securities filing. Peter van Stolk, Jones Soda's chief executive, told the Seattle P-I on Wednesday that his company will sell fountain drinks and sodas in plastic bottles throughout Qwest Field, and canned soft drinks in suites. The bottles will feature pictures of Seahawks players. Financial terms were not disclosed, and it's unknown how much Jones Soda paid for a sponsorship. It is the first time a small private label has knocked off a large soft-drink company to win a major pouring contract, according to one beverage analyst. Jones Soda also becomes the only label outside of cola giants Coke and Pepsi to have an exclusive deal with an NFL team. "It's exciting. It shows we have the confidence of the Seahawks and their management team that we can deliver. We feel very comfortable. We will create an opportunity for them and exceed their expectations," van Stolk said in a phone interview.

Seahawks starting center Chris Spencer, troubled by persistent shoulder problems during a recent minicamp, will not need a second surgery at this time, and will rehabilitate for the rest of this week in Birmingham, Ala., in an attempt to reduce his discomfort. After experiencing soreness last week during the minicamp, in which he did only limited work, Spencer visited earlier this week with noted orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews for follow-up opinion. Andrews repaired both of Spencer's shoulders in the offseason, but determined that further surgery was not indicated. Had surgery been required, Spencer likely would not have been recovered in time for the start of training camp in late July, and there were fears he might miss the entire season. Spencer's representatives said Andrews was confident that non-surgical rehabilitation will improve the condition of the two-year veteran.

SI.com has learned the Oakland Raiders and the Tennessee Titans are the leading contenders to sign the recently released Keyshawn Johnson. The Seattle Seahawks are also interested in the wide receiver.

Shaun Alexander said Monday his left foot, broken for the final four months of last season, may still be cracked as he begins the 2007 preseason. The running back doesn't want to know for sure until after his team's veteran minicamp ends Thursday. "I don't even want to get another X-ray until after this camp," a smiling Alexander said after his fourth consecutive day of occasionally carrying the ball during no-contact, no-pads drills. "If the X-ray shows it's still cracked, it's like, 'OK. What does that mean?'"

Matt Hasselbeck was back throwing on the field for the first day of Seahawks minicamp, far ahead of schedule in returning from surgery on his non-throwing shoulder. And Bobby Engram has a theory why. "I know how hard he was out here working out, though he won't tell you that," said Engram, Seattle's receiver said of his quarterback since 2001.

Seattle's free-agent kicker Josh Brown signed his one-year, $2.078 million tender, meaning the player that the Seahawks franchised last winter will be kicking for them this fall. The two sides will continue talking about a long-term contract, but they haven't made significant progress toward one just yet. The highest paid kicker in the game is Indianapolis' Adam Vinatieri, who makes an average of $2.4 million per season.