Terms on Henson draw NFL interest
Texans' needs at DB could figure in mix
By CARLTON THOMPSON
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
RESOURCES
The Drew Henson saga is a puzzle that will include many pieces before the final picture comes into focus. The first one was put into place Tuesday when Texans general manager Charley Casserly said one team has agreed to the Texans' parameters for a possible trade.
But this is just the beginning of the process. Several teams have expressed interest in the 24-year-old quarterback, whom the Texans took in the sixth round of last year's draft with the intent of trading him. Casserly and Tom Condon, Henson's agent, will meet with several teams this week at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, and some of those teams are expected to accept the Texans' trade parameters as well.
Casserly declined to identify the team that has accepted the terms or exactly what the Texans are seeking for Henson, who spent the past two years playing baseball in the New York Yankees organization.
Henson will be allowed to visit with the team that has met the Texans' initial asking price, but it's uncertain when that will take place. Teams seeking access to Henson must agree to the trade parameters.
It's unlikely discussions will heat up until after the combine because most teams want to compare Henson's workout with those of the top quarterbacks on display in Indianapolis this week. If the Texans can work out a deal with a team for which Henson is willing to play, a trade will be completed. If not, Henson will go back into the draft, although that scenario is unlikely.
Buffalo, Green Bay, Kansas City and Miami are believed to be the teams most interested in trading for Henson.
The Texans have been linked to the speculation surrounding four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey, whom the Washington Redskins have given permission to seek a trade. Bailey, a pending free agent, is not close on terms of a long-term contract with the Redskins, who would have to guarantee him $6.8 million for one season to keep him using a franchise designation.
It's possible the Redskins' stance on Bailey could be a negotiating ploy, considering teams generally aren't eager to lose 25-year-old shutdown corners. The expected compensation -- draft picks to the Redskins and big-time money to the player -- would seem to make Bailey a long shot for the Texans.
Adding a starting-caliber free safety seems the most likely route for the Texans, but it's not out of the question that cornerback Marcus Coleman could be moved to free safety if the Texans can acquire a top-notch cornerback. Coleman played safety at Texas Tech.
Texans' needs at DB could figure in mix
By CARLTON THOMPSON
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
RESOURCES
The Drew Henson saga is a puzzle that will include many pieces before the final picture comes into focus. The first one was put into place Tuesday when Texans general manager Charley Casserly said one team has agreed to the Texans' parameters for a possible trade.
But this is just the beginning of the process. Several teams have expressed interest in the 24-year-old quarterback, whom the Texans took in the sixth round of last year's draft with the intent of trading him. Casserly and Tom Condon, Henson's agent, will meet with several teams this week at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, and some of those teams are expected to accept the Texans' trade parameters as well.
Casserly declined to identify the team that has accepted the terms or exactly what the Texans are seeking for Henson, who spent the past two years playing baseball in the New York Yankees organization.
Henson will be allowed to visit with the team that has met the Texans' initial asking price, but it's uncertain when that will take place. Teams seeking access to Henson must agree to the trade parameters.
It's unlikely discussions will heat up until after the combine because most teams want to compare Henson's workout with those of the top quarterbacks on display in Indianapolis this week. If the Texans can work out a deal with a team for which Henson is willing to play, a trade will be completed. If not, Henson will go back into the draft, although that scenario is unlikely.
Buffalo, Green Bay, Kansas City and Miami are believed to be the teams most interested in trading for Henson.
The Texans have been linked to the speculation surrounding four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey, whom the Washington Redskins have given permission to seek a trade. Bailey, a pending free agent, is not close on terms of a long-term contract with the Redskins, who would have to guarantee him $6.8 million for one season to keep him using a franchise designation.
It's possible the Redskins' stance on Bailey could be a negotiating ploy, considering teams generally aren't eager to lose 25-year-old shutdown corners. The expected compensation -- draft picks to the Redskins and big-time money to the player -- would seem to make Bailey a long shot for the Texans.
Adding a starting-caliber free safety seems the most likely route for the Texans, but it's not out of the question that cornerback Marcus Coleman could be moved to free safety if the Texans can acquire a top-notch cornerback. Coleman played safety at Texas Tech.
