Texans' Payne to test market
Nose tackle still on the mend after hamstring surgery
By CARLTON THOMPSON
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
RESOURCES


HEAR IT NOW
INTERACTIVE:
• Richard Justice: College football preview
Requires the free RealPlayer or Flash.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• Cotton Bowl
• Houston Bowl
• Rose Bowl


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COUGARS:
• College scoreboard
• Season results
• Roster
• Schedule
• Stats

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• C-USA »

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHRONICLE COVERAGE:
• Area College Notebook: Southland Conference progresses in rankings

The free-agent market opens for business Wednesday, and while it remains to be seen if the Texans' biggest free agent will be an early buyer, he is prepared to do some window-shopping.


Discussions between the Texans and Ralph Cindrich, the agent for Seth Payne, have not produced a deal, and time is running out for the Texans' exclusive negotiating rights with the unrestricted free agent nose tackle.

The two sides have no contract talks scheduled between now and the start of the signing period, although neither has closed the door.


Packing his bags
"I think what probably will happen is he will go into free agency and make a couple of visits," Cindrich said. "He really likes playing in Houston, and he likes the people there, but at the same time, once you get into free agency, anything can happen."

Of the nine free agents the Texans lost during the past two offseasons, seven signed elsewhere by March 14.

In other words, things happen quickly once players are allowed to visit other teams. The Texans did manage to sign inside linebacker Jay Foreman and strong safety Eric Brown after the market opened in 2003.

In Payne's case, the Texans might have more time on their side. He is recovering from surgery to repair two hamstring tendons attached to his pelvis.

Payne, 30, who expects to make a full recovery, is encouraged by the fact that teammate Gary Walker suffered the same injury before the 2002 season and recovered well enough to cap the year with a trip to the Pro Bowl.

Texans coach Dom Capers always has praised Payne's determination in coming back from multiple knee surgeries in 2003 to play in all 16 games in 2004.

These aren't exactly the circumstances under which Payne hoped to enter free agency, but his camp is confident teams will be encouraged by his progress.

"He's way ahead of schedule, which anyone who knows Seth would expect," Cindrich said. "His prognosis is excellent to outstanding.

"Anytime you have anything that is less than 100 percent, it becomes an issue (in free agency), but it's safe to say anyone who has been associated with Seth in any capacity, on any team, is going to have an interest."

Giants coach Tom Coughlin, Lions defensive coordinator Dick Jauron and Browns defensive coordinator Todd Grantham have ties to Payne, and each team could use help on the defensive line.

Coughlin was Payne's head coach in Jacksonville. Jauron was one of three defensive coordinators with whom Payne worked in Jacksonville, and Grantham was the Texans' defensive line coach for the past three seasons.


Saints could be factor
League sources also said the Saints might have some interest in the eight-year veteran, whom the Texans acquired in the 2002 expansion draft.

The Texans already have $52.5 million, including guaranteed signing bonuses of just over $19 million, invested in Walker and defensive lineman Robaire Smith.

Jerry Deloach, who shared the nose tackle position with Payne during the first half of the 2004 season, is an unrestricted free agent. So is veteran reserve Corey Sears.

Junior Ioane, who has agreed to terms on a three-year contract, has experience at nose tackle.

Separately, the Texans have reached a one-year agreement with unrestricted free agent linebacker DeShon Polk at a base salary of $540,000.

carlton.thompson@chron.com