inmate running the asylum Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 March 3, 2004, 1:09AM Texans keeping Walker Club reaches deal with defensive end By CARLTON THOMPSON Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle The Texans got off to a good start in free agency before the period officially began, reaching an agreement with one of their own Tuesday. Gary Walker, who last weekend was preparing to test the free-agent market, struck a new deal that lowers his 2004 salary-cap number and will keep the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end in a Texans uniform, according to sources. Terms were not available. Walker was due a $6 million signing bonus that would have boosted his cap number for next season to $12.49 million. If not for Tuesday's agreement, which concluded contract talks that began in July, Walker would have been released today, the first day of the free-agent signing period. The Texans have nine unrestricted free agents and six restricted free agents, all of whom have received tender offers. Unrestricted free agents can sign with any team without compensation. The Texans have the right to match any offer a restricted free agent gets, and if they chose not to are entitled to draft pick compensation equal to the round the player originally was drafted. Tuesday's deal keeps Walker off the open market and strengthens one of the Texans' weakest areas. Injuries depleted the Texans' defensive line in 2003 when Walker was limited to just four games because of shoulder and toe injuries. Since the end of the season, Walker has seen doctors about both injuries and has been cleared to work out. Walker started every game in 2002, finishing second on the team with 6 1/2 sacks and going to the Pro Bowl for the second year in a row. The new contract increases the chances of Walker, 31, ending his career where it began. He was a fifth-round draft pick of the Oilers in 1995. General manager Charley Casserly said the Texans would like to re-sign all of their free agents, but it's unlikely all will return. Because Domanick Davis and Tony Hollings are set as the team's top two running backs, don't count on Stacey Mack returning. Among the Texans' key free agents are starting offensive linemen Todd Washington and Greg Randall. "The Texans are a good organization and Greg would like to be here, but it doesn't seem like they really want him," said Van McElroy, Randall's agent. "I don't know if it's going to happen." Casserly said: "We would like to retain Greg, but both sides want to evaluate the market." As far as pursuing other free agents, Casserly said the Texans would be on the phone at precisely 11:01 p.m. Tuesday, the earliest teams could officially contact free agents from other teams. The Texans likely will begin entertaining free agents by the end of the week. "You just evaluate if there is any player out there in free agency that could be an upgrade at one of your positions," Casserly said. "What you have to do is sit down with your scouts and coaches and evaluate the players. You have your plan; these are the guys that you're interested in, this is the amount of money you think they're worth and if it matches up, you sign them." The Texans' biggest need areas are on the defensive side of the ball, where an impact player at almost any position could give the team a boost. The most high-profile player the Texans are likely to target is the Buffalo Bills' Antoine Winfield, the third cornerback taken in the 1999 draft behind Pro Bowlers Champ Bailey and Chris McAllister. Winfield, 26, is considered a top cover corner. The Texans have not ruled out the possibility of moving cornerback Marcus Coleman to free safety if they can acquire a top-notch cornerback through free agency or in the draft. Re-signing Walker is a major step toward improving a defensive line that had seven starters in 2003. Casserly said nose tackle Seth Payne is recovering nicely from multiple knee surgeries, but the Texans clearly need to bolster the defensive line. Tennessee's Robaire Smith and the New York Giants' Cornelius Griffith, both unrestricted free agents, could be targets. The Texans might be content to go into next season with Kailee Wong and Antwan Peek as their outside linebackers. Wong was one of the most solid and consistent performers on defense last season, and Peek showed promise as a pass rusher, but inexperience and injuries limited him to just nine games. The Texans took a chance on free agent Charlie Clemons last season, but the acquisition didn't pay dividends. The free-agent pool at outside linebacker doesn't look much better this year. Casserly said it was unlikely the Texans would spend big money on a linebacker in free agency. On the Drew Henson front, the former University of Michigan quarterback worked out for the St. Louis Rams on Tuesday and is scheduled to meet with the Cleveland Browns today. Henson, whom the Texans selected in the sixth round of last year's draft with hopes of trading him for an early-round pick in 2005, worked out for Dallas on Monday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsNorth Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 Thats too bad as he was likely the top FA DT on the market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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