Hottoddie
03-07-2002, 11:55 AM
It seems that Rob Johnson is balking at the contract offer. This could be the perfect situation for him, to play behind what is shaping up to be a stud offensive line. He'd also get to work under Palmer again & have a chance to regain his old form. So, what's the problem?
It sounds like Wong really wants to play here. He could be our second starting linebacker.
Bradford would be a nice receiver & a definite starter.
While Chris Chandler is often injured, when he's healthy, he's one of the best quaterbacks out there. If Johnson doesn't make up his mind soon, I could be satisfied with Chandler playing behind this offensive line.
Sorry Ric, but I can't temper my enthusiasm for this team's chances at the playoffs in the next couple of years. Especially, if they keep bringing in the quality of players they've done so far. Here's the article:
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/fb/nfl/1285124
Texans zero in on Wong, Bradford
Negotiations with Johnson at impasse
By CARLTON THOMPSON
Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle
The Texans introduced their first unrestricted free-agent signee Wednesday, and they could have two more today.
Guard Steve McKinney said goodbye to Indianapolis and hello to Houston, inking a five-year, $15.5 million deal with the Texans, who also were close to reaching agreements with Minnesota Vikings linebacker Kailee Wong and Green Bay Packers receiver Corey Bradford.
"I'm really excited about Houston," Wong said. "My wife loves it. It looks like it would be a great fit. I'm hoping I don't have to make any more trips."
Wong was in Cleveland on Tuesday and got an offer from the Browns on Wednesday. Minnesota fell out of the picture, so Wong's decision basically has come down to Houston or Cleveland.
"Both teams are definitely very interested," Wong's agent, Steve Baker, said late Wednesday night. "Cleveland was very aggressive, and Houston made a very good offer. I think it could be wrapped up in the next 24 hours."
The fact Wong remained in Houston on Wednesday would seem an indication he's leaning toward the Texans.
Cleveland is interested in Wong as a middle linebacker, the position he played in Minnesota, but the lure of rushing the passer from the outside linebacker position in Texans coach Dom Capers' 3-4 scheme likely will be too strong to resist.
"I would get to play a position where I could really be a force," Wong said. "Linebackers are aggressive by nature, but a 3-4 defense is the epitome of aggressiveness.
"I was a defensive end in college, a pass rusher. That's really where my heart is. I would love to have an opportunity to play outside linebacker. That's kind of what (the Texans) pin me as, an outside guy who can come off the corner. My preference, I'd have to say, is outside."
Meanwhile, negotiations with free-agent quarterback Rob Johnson are at a stalemate. The Texans are holding firm to their one-year, $1 million commitment, and Johnson has said Houston is where he wants to be and that money won't be an issue. Nevertheless, he and his agent have not pulled the trigger on the deal.
"We're not going to wait a long time," Texans general manager Charley Casserly said. "They expressed a strong interest to play here, so there's a time in there to negotiate. And if you see it's not getting done, you move on. I can't tell you when that is, but we can't afford to wait around a long time."
The Texans, who almost certainly will take Fresno State's David Carr with the first pick of the college draft, want to get a veteran quarterback to bridge the gap until Carr is ready to play.
Denver backup Gus Frerotte, whom Casserly drafted in Washington, was scheduled to be in Houston today. But Frerotte canceled his trip after deciding he wanted a more stable situation than a one-year, if that long, stint over Carr.
The Texans also have been in contact with the agent for free-agent quarterback Chris Chandler, who spent the past five seasons in Atlanta and had a two-year stint as the Oilers' starting quarterback.
The Texans also signed former CFL quarterback Ben Sankey on Wednesday. He's a 6-2, 215-pounder from Wake Forest.
Chicago Bears linebacker Greg Jones and Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Bobby Shaw will visit the Texans today. Bears running back James Allen and Washington Redskins tight end Stephen Alexander are expected to be in Houston on Friday.
But Wednesday belonged to McKinney, who celebrated a homecoming after spending the first four years of his career in Indianapolis. McKinney attended Clear Lake High School and Texas A&M.
"This is the culmination of a dream," said McKinney, who received a $3.5 million signing bonus. "I've spent my whole life preparing for this moment. Growing up in Texas, I know how big football is here. To come back home and play for a professional team here in Houston is unbelievable."
Said Texans owner Bob McNair: "When we discussed the prototype player that we wanted, never could we have imagined that we would find someone who fits the bill as closely as Steve does."
It sounds like Wong really wants to play here. He could be our second starting linebacker.
Bradford would be a nice receiver & a definite starter.
While Chris Chandler is often injured, when he's healthy, he's one of the best quaterbacks out there. If Johnson doesn't make up his mind soon, I could be satisfied with Chandler playing behind this offensive line.
Sorry Ric, but I can't temper my enthusiasm for this team's chances at the playoffs in the next couple of years. Especially, if they keep bringing in the quality of players they've done so far. Here's the article:
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/fb/nfl/1285124
Texans zero in on Wong, Bradford
Negotiations with Johnson at impasse
By CARLTON THOMPSON
Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle
The Texans introduced their first unrestricted free-agent signee Wednesday, and they could have two more today.
Guard Steve McKinney said goodbye to Indianapolis and hello to Houston, inking a five-year, $15.5 million deal with the Texans, who also were close to reaching agreements with Minnesota Vikings linebacker Kailee Wong and Green Bay Packers receiver Corey Bradford.
"I'm really excited about Houston," Wong said. "My wife loves it. It looks like it would be a great fit. I'm hoping I don't have to make any more trips."
Wong was in Cleveland on Tuesday and got an offer from the Browns on Wednesday. Minnesota fell out of the picture, so Wong's decision basically has come down to Houston or Cleveland.
"Both teams are definitely very interested," Wong's agent, Steve Baker, said late Wednesday night. "Cleveland was very aggressive, and Houston made a very good offer. I think it could be wrapped up in the next 24 hours."
The fact Wong remained in Houston on Wednesday would seem an indication he's leaning toward the Texans.
Cleveland is interested in Wong as a middle linebacker, the position he played in Minnesota, but the lure of rushing the passer from the outside linebacker position in Texans coach Dom Capers' 3-4 scheme likely will be too strong to resist.
"I would get to play a position where I could really be a force," Wong said. "Linebackers are aggressive by nature, but a 3-4 defense is the epitome of aggressiveness.
"I was a defensive end in college, a pass rusher. That's really where my heart is. I would love to have an opportunity to play outside linebacker. That's kind of what (the Texans) pin me as, an outside guy who can come off the corner. My preference, I'd have to say, is outside."
Meanwhile, negotiations with free-agent quarterback Rob Johnson are at a stalemate. The Texans are holding firm to their one-year, $1 million commitment, and Johnson has said Houston is where he wants to be and that money won't be an issue. Nevertheless, he and his agent have not pulled the trigger on the deal.
"We're not going to wait a long time," Texans general manager Charley Casserly said. "They expressed a strong interest to play here, so there's a time in there to negotiate. And if you see it's not getting done, you move on. I can't tell you when that is, but we can't afford to wait around a long time."
The Texans, who almost certainly will take Fresno State's David Carr with the first pick of the college draft, want to get a veteran quarterback to bridge the gap until Carr is ready to play.
Denver backup Gus Frerotte, whom Casserly drafted in Washington, was scheduled to be in Houston today. But Frerotte canceled his trip after deciding he wanted a more stable situation than a one-year, if that long, stint over Carr.
The Texans also have been in contact with the agent for free-agent quarterback Chris Chandler, who spent the past five seasons in Atlanta and had a two-year stint as the Oilers' starting quarterback.
The Texans also signed former CFL quarterback Ben Sankey on Wednesday. He's a 6-2, 215-pounder from Wake Forest.
Chicago Bears linebacker Greg Jones and Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Bobby Shaw will visit the Texans today. Bears running back James Allen and Washington Redskins tight end Stephen Alexander are expected to be in Houston on Friday.
But Wednesday belonged to McKinney, who celebrated a homecoming after spending the first four years of his career in Indianapolis. McKinney attended Clear Lake High School and Texas A&M.
"This is the culmination of a dream," said McKinney, who received a $3.5 million signing bonus. "I've spent my whole life preparing for this moment. Growing up in Texas, I know how big football is here. To come back home and play for a professional team here in Houston is unbelievable."
Said Texans owner Bob McNair: "When we discussed the prototype player that we wanted, never could we have imagined that we would find someone who fits the bill as closely as Steve does."