[CHRONIC] Original Texan Pitts wants to stay on team

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/6902127.html

One Texans free agent who has remained in the background is guard Chester Pitts.

Receiver Kevin Walter and punter Matt Turk have re-signed and cornerback Dunta Robinson has cast his lot with Atlanta; Pitts is watching, waiting and recovering from major knee surgery.

“I definitely want to stay, but it's part of the business,” Pitts said. “I've known for a while (leaving is) a possibility. I've been here for eight years, and Houston's my home, but it's the nature of the beast.”

Pitts, an original Texan, started 114 consecutive games — every one in team history — until he blew out his knee in the second game last season.

“It's been wonderful for me here,” he said. “There's been some talk (with the Texans), but I wanted to see what is out there in the free-agent world for me. I've had four or five teams show interest, but nothing to where I had to jump on it. I should be 100 percent between May 1 and June 1. I don't think I want to wait that long to sign.”

Even though Kasey Studdard played well in his place last season, Pitts hasn't given up on returning.

“I can't say I won't be back for sure because you never know how things are going to work out,” he said. “I won't know I'm not coming back for sure until I sign with another team. We'll just have to wait and see.

“I'm 30 years old, but I don't have the mileage on me that others have from playing the game from the time they're 6 years old. I don't feel worn down. I feel real good.”

Pitts cleaned out his locker recently.

“When your contract expires, it's not your locker anymore,” he said.

Only time will tell if he gets that locker back.