Timing
03-10-2002, 05:45 PM
http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1348736.html
Former Packer, Texas agree to three-year deal
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By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
The expansion Houston Texans don't have a starting quarterback yet. When they get one, he'll at least have a wide receiver to hit.
The Texans have reached a contract agreement with unrestricted free agent Corey Bradford, ESPN.com has learned. Bradford, who played the first four seasons of his career with the Green Bay Packers, will sign a three-year, $5.25 million contract with a $1.8 million signing bonus.
The base salaries are $525,000 (2002), $1.25 million (2003) and $1.675 million (2004).
Bradford, 26, was also pursued by the Packers and the Detroit Lions. He visited with Houston officials last week and decided he wanted to be a part of the new franchise in its debut season. The Lions still wanted him even after signing Az-Zahir Hakim last week, whereas in Green Bay he would have competed for a starting job opposite Terry Glenn.
With the Texans, he is already penciled in as a starter, and the team didn't select a wideout in last month's expansion draft.
"Going into free agency our objectives were to sign an outside linebacker, center, and wide receiver," Texans general manager Charley Casserly told The Associated Press. "Not only did we fill these needs in the first week of free agency, but we filled them with our first choices at each of these positions."
Last week, the Texans signed former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Kailee Wong and former Indianapolis Colts guard Steve McKinney, who has said he's open to a switch to center.
Bradford, a former Jackson State star, selected by the Packers in the fifth round of the 1998 draft, has great potential but his career has been hampered by injuries. In 2001, he was limited to only two appearances, first by a fractured left fibula sustained in preseason, then by a strained quadriceps that landed him on the injured reserve list.
Blessed with superior straightline speed and prototype size (6 feet 1, 197 pounds), Bradford is an explosive performer when healthy, and has averaged 16.8 yards per reception in his career. He is capable of the acrobatic catch, as he demonstrated in a first-round playoff victory over the 49ers last year, but needs catch the ball with more consistency.
He has played in 42 games and logged 10 starts, and has 71 receptions for 1,190 yards and seven touchdowns. His best season was in 1999 when posted 37 catches for 637 yards and five scores.
Former Packer, Texas agree to three-year deal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
The expansion Houston Texans don't have a starting quarterback yet. When they get one, he'll at least have a wide receiver to hit.
The Texans have reached a contract agreement with unrestricted free agent Corey Bradford, ESPN.com has learned. Bradford, who played the first four seasons of his career with the Green Bay Packers, will sign a three-year, $5.25 million contract with a $1.8 million signing bonus.
The base salaries are $525,000 (2002), $1.25 million (2003) and $1.675 million (2004).
Bradford, 26, was also pursued by the Packers and the Detroit Lions. He visited with Houston officials last week and decided he wanted to be a part of the new franchise in its debut season. The Lions still wanted him even after signing Az-Zahir Hakim last week, whereas in Green Bay he would have competed for a starting job opposite Terry Glenn.
With the Texans, he is already penciled in as a starter, and the team didn't select a wideout in last month's expansion draft.
"Going into free agency our objectives were to sign an outside linebacker, center, and wide receiver," Texans general manager Charley Casserly told The Associated Press. "Not only did we fill these needs in the first week of free agency, but we filled them with our first choices at each of these positions."
Last week, the Texans signed former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Kailee Wong and former Indianapolis Colts guard Steve McKinney, who has said he's open to a switch to center.
Bradford, a former Jackson State star, selected by the Packers in the fifth round of the 1998 draft, has great potential but his career has been hampered by injuries. In 2001, he was limited to only two appearances, first by a fractured left fibula sustained in preseason, then by a strained quadriceps that landed him on the injured reserve list.
Blessed with superior straightline speed and prototype size (6 feet 1, 197 pounds), Bradford is an explosive performer when healthy, and has averaged 16.8 yards per reception in his career. He is capable of the acrobatic catch, as he demonstrated in a first-round playoff victory over the 49ers last year, but needs catch the ball with more consistency.
He has played in 42 games and logged 10 starts, and has 71 receptions for 1,190 yards and seven touchdowns. His best season was in 1999 when posted 37 catches for 637 yards and five scores.