HOUSTON -- Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Pace wrapped up a
two-day visit with the Houston Texans on Tuesday, the first step of
a process that could eventually lead to a trade with the St. Louis
Rams.
"We've had contact with the Rams and we brought the player in
for a visit," Texans general manager Charley Casserly said.
"That's all I'm going to say for now."
St. Louis faces a 4 p.m. EST Wednesday deadline to re-sign Pace.
After that, under NFL rules the Rams wouldn't be allowed to strike
a deal with him until July 15.
That would mean Pace would miss the Rams' offseason conditioning
program, summer minicamps and, most likely, the start of training
camp for the third straight year. However, St. Louis still could
trade Pace or receive an offer sheet from other teams.
The Texans have about $5 million in salary cap space available,
and could have another $4.75 million if they release linebacker
Jamie Sharper as expected. That would give Houston enough money to
add Pace.
The Rams have used their franchise player designation on Pace
since 2003, keeping him in a series of one-year contracts that paid
him the average of the NFL's highest-paid offensive tackles. Pace
made $7.02 million last season.
Pace is seeking a new contract similar to one recently signed by
Walter Jones of Seattle. After years of contract disputes with the
Seahawks, Jones agreed to a seven-year, $52.5 million deal that
included a $16 million signing bonus.
Pace's agent, Kennard McGuire, didn't immediately return several
messages left at his office.
The addition of Pace would help solidify what has been a shaky
position with the Texans since the franchise started play in 2002.
The Texans made Jacksonville's Tony Boselli their first pick in
the expansion draft but he never played a game for Houston,
retiring before the start of training camp in 2003 because of
nagging shoulder problems. Chester Pitts started every game at left
tackle in 2002 and 2003, but was shifted to left guard last season
to make room for unproven Seth Wand.
But Houston's problems protecting third-year quarterback David
Carr continued. The Texans allowed 49 sacks last season, 26th out
of 32 NFL teams.
Pace was the first overall pick in the 1997 draft, making him
the first lineman to go that high in 30 years. The 6-foot-7,
325-pounder has played his entire career in St. Louis, and earned
his sixth straight Pro Bowl selection last season.