RENTON -- The release of receiver Mike Williams left a much bigger hole in Seattle's offense than anyone anticipated.

And no, that is not a reference to the size of Williams' waistline.

But after releasing Williams, the Seahawks signed first Braylon Edwards and now will add Terrell Owens, and coach Pete Carroll said the moves were made with an eye toward replacing the physical presence Williams provided in 2010 when Carroll took over as Seahawks coach in 2010.

"I really liked what Mike brought the first year," Carroll said. "I've liked that for years. That wasn't just unique to then."

It was true the first two years Williams played for Carroll at USC in 2002 and 2003. Carroll also said Dwayne Jarrett fit that prototype.

"I like that style of athlete on our team at the receiver spot," Carroll said. "There's a factor that you sense - and the quarterbacks sense - when you have a guy like that."

Now the question is whether Edwards and/or Owens can excel in that type of role, and as Carroll talked about the additions at receiver, it was clear that Seattle isn't looking to replace players like Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin -- who are expected to be key parts of the offense -- so much as Carroll wants to find a receiver who will complement them by playing a more physical game.

"I'm so thrilled with what Golden Tate's doing," Carroll said. "Golden Tate is playing great football for us, and he plays just like a starter and we're counting on him. He's going to have a big go for us. Doug is a huge role for us as we know, but those guys, they're different."

Both are sub-6-foot receivers while Owens is bigger, every bit as fast and capable of fitting a much different role.

"When you see a guy that's 6-3.5 and 220 and runs as fast as he runs and has the kind of background and route-running ability and all that stuff, let's see where it fits," Carroll said. "That's really what it is. I like the look in his eye. He's dead serious about proving himself and doing something. So, I'm just going to give him a chance to do it. We're thrilled to give come out here and have him battle."