Brian Cushing not focusing on expiring contract

[nunusguy]

What’s been talked about less is the fact that the 2009 first-round draft pick is entering the final year of his contract. The Texans typically re-sign (or attempt to re-sign) players they want to keep in the offseason before their contracts expire. Last summer, they made offers to quarterback Matt Schaub, outside linebacker Connor Barwin and left tackle Duane Brown, signing Brown and Schaub. Cushing is a player the Texans want to keep. I caught up with him after today’s OTA session to ask if the Texans had begun conversations with his agent.
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I asked Cushing if the Texans had expressed to him that they’d like to keep him long term.

“I think so,” he said. “… After being a captain around here, I think I’ve played pretty well and done a good job with my role. I think that’d be someone they would want to keep around here and I hope so. So you know, i mean, like i said, i’m just taking care of what i can right now and hopefully that will take care of the rest. … With a city like this that’s embraced me, organization that’s embraced me as a player, I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.”
http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans...ring-contract/
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It seems there's just too much uncertainty about Cushings recovery to pre-injury form for the Texans to even approach him about a new contract that
both might agree to: they could offer him a deal that would be fair value to an average talent at his position, but I'm sure he & his agent expect much more than that which means any negotiations likely will be deferred until next years free-agency and that means 31 other teams could also bid for his services.

[Nconroe]

I think they will try to redo Cushings this year, during training camp once their salary cap for this year pretty much set, once all draft picks signed, and other FA for this year signed.

I guess Cushing is a core player they don't want to risk going on the open market.

Here is current list of possible FA in 2014 to consider. Who will have that great 2013 and get paid in 2014 and who will get paid elsewhere?

Brian Cushing at Linebacker 5 yr/$15,900,000 $3,180,000 $8,338,000 2014
Lestar Jean at Wide Receiver 3 yr/$1,325,000 $441,667 $5,000 2014
Andrew Gardner at Tackle 1 yr/$650,000 $650,000 $0 2014
Garrett Graham at Tight End 4 yr/$2,370,100 $592,525 $480,100 2014
Tyler Clutts at Fullback 3 yr/$1,395,000 $465,000 $0 2014
Greg Jones at Fullback 1 yr/$1,000,000 $1,000,000 $240,000 2014
Darryl Sharpton at Linebacker 4 yr/$2,474,940 $618,735 $534,940 2014
Antonio Smith Defensive End 5 yr/$35,500,000 $7,100,000 $12,500,000 2014
Ra'Shon Harris at Defensive Tackle 1 yr/$480,000 $480,000 $0 2014
Wade Smith at Guard 4 yr/$12,000,000 $3,000,000 $5,250,000 2014
Ryan Harris at Tackle 1 yr/$715,000 $715,000 $0 2014
Tim Dobbins at Linebacker 1 yr/$905,000 $905,000 $65,000 2014
Ben Tate at Running Back 4 yr/$3,370,000 $842,500 $1,580,000 2014
Bryan Braman at Linebacker 3 yr/$1,397,000 $465,667 $2,000 2014
Terrell McClain at Defensive Tackle 2 yr/$1,020,000 $510,000 $0 2014
Earl Mitchell at Defensive Tackle 4 yr/$3,423,500 $855,875 $788,500 2014

Right now looks like they have committments for about $113,000 in salary for next year, so, tight cap space again unless some unforseen changes occur.

Looks like Brian Cushing, Wade Smith, and Antonio Smith are three they might want to restructure early and then a few others might follow.

[HPF Bob]

If I have to sacrifice one of the big name contracts, it would be Antonio Smith. Always liked his play but Cushing and Wade Smith are probably more vital. Both Smiths are getting pretty old though so replacements need to be found.

Ben Tate is an interesting call. He's been injured two of the three seasons he has been here and I'm guessing he is too expensive to keep unless his role is expanded. Wouldn't mind adding a RB in the third or fourth next year and cutting Tate loose after the season.