Carr, Texans set to seal deal Top pick expected to sign Wednesday By CARLTON THOMPSON Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle Sources say the Texans are moving closer to an agreement with Fresno State quarterback David Carr and that his agent is headed back to Houston to put the finishing touches on a seven-year year deal that could be worth almost $60 million. Carr would be paid more than $16 million in the first three years of the deal, the most for a player in the first three years of a contract in NFL history. Negotiations, which began less than a month ago, have progressed quickly, and the deal is expected to be announced Wednesday. Michael Vick, whom the Falcons drafted with the top pick in last year's draft, will make $15.3 million in his first three years. Vick, who also is represented by agent Mike Sullivan, signed an eight-year, $62 million deal with the Falcons. The Texans decided two weeks ago that enough progress had been made in negotiations with Sullivan to proclaim Carr the team's top pick in Saturday's draft. Later that week, Carr bought a home in Sugar Land and relocated his family from California to Texas. The Texans have Carr rated as the top player in the draft, and he has been their main target for quite some time. Things began to heat up in January when owner Bob McNair made a trip to Mobile, Ala., to meet Carr and watch him participate in Senior Bowl practices. Since that time, Carr has kept in constant contact with Texans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer, and the two have laid the foundation for a solid working relationship. The Texans view Carr as their quarterback of the future, but both Palmer and head coach Dom Capers have shown a willingness to play rookie quarterbacks early in the season. Capers turned the offense over to Kerry Collins after four games in Carolina, and Palmer handed Tim Couch the reins after just three games in Cleveland. Nevertheless, the Texans signed 10-year veteran Kent Graham to play the position until they believe Carr is ready to take the reins. Wednesday's announcement will be the start of a whirlwind week for Carr, who will be among the honorees at Thursday's National Quarterback Club Awards ceremony. The following day, Carr will fly to New York, where, on Saturday, he will become the 12th quarterback selected with the top overall pick since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 and the fourth in the last five years. The Colts made Peyton Manning the top choice in the draft in 1998, the Browns tabbed Couch in 1999, and the Falcons grabbed Vick with last year's top pick. After meeting with the national media attending the draft, Carr will fly back to Houston with McNair to meet with the local media for the first time as an official member of the Texans. Carr visited a Texans practice last week.
Might not be bad in one respect.... If the deal is 'frontloaded' and if they are pretty confidant that he's not going to demand a renegotiation after 3 years, and if the Texans can then save a bit of cap space at the end of the deal if he turns out to be great, then this might kinda make a bit of sense?
