John McClain of the Houston Chronicle mentions that Texans GM Rick Smith and VP of football administration Chris Olsen are currently trying to create some extra cap space in an attempt to offer DE Mario Williams a better deal. Houston has already said that Williams remains their top priority but considering their depth on defense, it was assumed that they would be unable to allocate even more money to a position of strength. Williams has said that he would consider offering Houston a discount and mentioned that landing a record contract is not one of his priorities. McClain mentions that the team will have to knock his socks off if they plan to get his attention and freeing up cap space really the only way to make that happen.
well, i suppose they could work some 'cap magic' and find some room to sign him, but i think the bigger question is: "What is Mario going to command on the FA market?"
If he is considered one of the 5 or 10 best DE's in the game and he is in the prime of his career, wouldn't someone give him something like a 5 yr/$70 mill contract with $20 mill of it up-front?