Cushing signs

[painekiller]

The Texans wanted him in LA. Their insurance on him expired last week, and he was not alloyed on their property, they did not even want him tempted to come in, all due to insurance.

That is why he went to LA last Wednesday and he was working with Ken Norton Jr. out there. As someone else said he a was only a short flight away.

The team has not worked out in pads yet so he has not missed much, mainly review of OTAs.

[kravix]

One of the recaps on the mainsite quoted Kubes or Smith saying something about Cushing wanting to be in Houston during negotiations and it just wasnt working out and it was no bog deal.

I was starting to wonder about him when I read that he was in LA, but after I read that I figured there was more going on than just him not being in Houston.

[Keith]

Contract info:

After missing the first two days of Texans training camp before agreeing to a five-year, $14 million contract Saturday, outside linebacker Brian Cushing is eager to get on the practice field today with his new teammates.

Cushing, the first-round draft choice from Southern California, is getting $10.435 million in guaranteed money...

Cushing’s contract could be worth a maximum of $18 million over five years.

In the fifth year of his deal, there’s a clause that could earn him an additional $4 million in an escalator bonus.

Odds are that Cushing’s contract will be extended before he enters the fifth season in 2013. ...

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...t/6557049.html

[edo783]

Seems like a pretty reasonable contract to me. Your thoughts Keith?

[Keith]

Originally Posted by edo783

Seems like a pretty reasonable contract to me. Your thoughts Keith?

There is generally little wiggle room when it comes to signing these rookies, so unless something is completely out of whack, then I have no complaints. Where I usually have complaints is during the first couple weeks of UFA signings in March (or sometimes in the re-signings the team might do year-round).

Cushing, like all first rounders, will either live up to this deal or he won't. His guaranteed money is relatively fair. Until 1.14 signs and 1.16 #s are widely reported, it's tough to say exactly. The $4M escalator is probably based on a simple incentive, and it's probably there to encourage both parties to negotiate an extension after year three or four.

Fwiw, 1.17 was a QB (Freeman) and his guarantees are $10.245M per a report, and the contract had a much higher total value probably because he's a QB. 1.13 was a DE (Orakpo), and his was $20M total and $12.1 guaranteed. So Cushing's is fine... just the first round wage scale is a little bonkers.