two articles on espn about Henson.. Associated Press IRVING, Texas -- Drew Henson, who has worked out for 20 NFL teams interested in acquiring him, is reportedly a renewed focus of the Dallas Cowboys' search for quarterback talent. Two sources told The Dallas Morning News that Henson, considered one of college football's marquee quarterbacks three years ago when he quit to play professional baseball, was scheduled to work out Monday for the Cowboys. The Houston Texans, who drafted Henson in the sixth round of the 2003 draft, owns his rights until April 24. But the team, which selected David Carr with the first pick in the 2002 draft, isn't interested in having two quarterbacks with star potential on the roster, so they're trying to trade Henson. The 6-5, 236-pound former Michigan star quarterback, who bypassed his junior year for a baseball career in 2001, arrived in Dallas on Sunday afternoon. Houston general manager Charlie Casserly has said he wants a conditional third-round pick in 2005 for the 24-year-old Henson, which could improve to a first-round pick based on his performance. No trade can be consummated until Wednesday, the first day of the 2004 league year. Henson was also expected to visit Cleveland and Buffalo. "He's a big, powerful guy. He has all that you want. This is an extremely talented guy who can really throw the ball," former NFL assistant coach Larry Kennan, who has worked with Henson since November and is executive director of the NFL Coaches Association, told the newspaper in Monday's editions. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1748041 By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com For now, trading for Drew Henson remains a possibility for the Bills. But the more Buffalo explores ways to acquire Henson from the Texans, the more difficult a deal appears. Bills general manager Tom Donahoe acknowledged to ESPN.com over the weekend that while the team is still intrigued by the potential of the former University of Michigan quarterback, its chances of reaching an agreement are fading. By this juncture in the process, Donahoe had hoped to arrange a private workout for Henson, a follow-up to the general audition staged at the Texans complex on Feb. 13. But Donahoe has decided he will not bring Henson to Buffalo until he's convinced the Bills can meet his contract demands. That hasn't occurred yet and, according to Donahoe, might not happen at all. Sources close to Henson conceded over the weekend it is unlikely the quarterback will work out for Bills coaches and team officials. "The contract still remains the biggest [impediment]," Donahoe said. "I think we could get a deal with Charley [Casserly, the Texans' general manager], but I don't know that we can figure out the contract part. [Henson] still wants to be paid like a first-rounder but he was only taken in the sixth round. I don't know how you explain that to your owner. How do you [reconcile] that?" Donahoe voiced similar doubts at the predraft combine in Indianapolis last week. In an effort to better understand Henson's stance and that of his agents, Donahoe spoke late last week with agent Ken Kremer, but it appears there was little progress. Kremer and IMG partner Tom Condon have proposed several contract formulas, including one in which Henson's base salaries would be fully guaranteed for 10 years, but none of the structures have satisfied Donahoe's concerns. Buffalo is committed to Drew Bledsoe as its starter for 2004, but the 11-year veteran is due an $11 million option bonus in November and the franchise needs to start planning for the future. The team dispatched five representatives, including rookie head coach Mike Mularkey, to Henson's workout earlier this month. The Bills came away with a good first impression, but Donahoe indicated there were some routes Henson never threw, and that he would like to see more of the quarterback in a workout run by Buffalo's coaches. Unless the contractual puzzle can be solved, with the agents coming up with a model that Donahoe agrees is workable, things might never get to that point. "I don't think it's a slam dunk," Donahoe reiterated. The Texans, who used a sixth-round pick in the 2003 draft to secure Henson's rights for the express purpose of trading him, have laid out conditions for a deal. Casserly is said to be seeking a second-round choice in the 2005 draft. Or he would accept a conditional third-round choice that could eventually escalate to a first-round pick. If Henson reached thresholds to trigger the second scenario, the Texans would take the first-rounder and then give back a second-round pick to the franchise that acquired Henson. Donahoe termed the Houston asking price as "reasonable," but indicated he might not be prepared to precisely match Casserly's conditions. "Everything is moot, though, until someone shows me a way to handle the contract," Donahoe said. Casserly noted at the combine last week that he is still confident he will complete a trade before Henson re-enters the draft. The Texans have until noon on April 23, the day before this year's draft begins, to sign Henson and trade him. After that, they will lose his rights and Henson will go into the 2004 draft pool. It is believed there are three or four others teams interested in Henson, but the Bills were thought to be among the most viable suitors. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=1747451
Buffalo is playing hard ball. screw 'em. If Casserly was good enuff to give you a deal like that don't throw it in his face. Be straight up and give Henson what he deserves. He's a #1 or #2 so pay him appropriately. Ultimately Buffalo loses if they don't sign him and they gotta know that. They are just lucky that Miami seems to have dropped out. Otherwise the criticism would begin.
freaking dolt. Maybe you tell the owner that this is an extremely unusual situation? Casserly's conditions sound more than adequate to me. A 3rd, or more if he delivers right away? That's a good deal for a qb with 1st round potential. But quibble over the money instead? I hope the boys land Henson, for that asking price he sounds like a bargain. With the exception of Garcia(who will want too much $$$), none of the vet qbs that will be available would really be an upgrade over QC.
I'm surprised the Cowboys are interested considering Quincy Carter played better last season and they have already been burned on a football player that played baseball instead of football, and then tried to switch back (Hutchison).
Surprises me as well. I thought Tuna would go after someone who could play now (like a Garcia or Testaverde) rather than another guy not ready to play next year. Also Hutchinson was a steal for Dallas. We got him as a FA (did not spend a pick on him) and did pay him a nice bonus but he has a minimum salary so he is pretty cheap for a backup QB with potential.
Carter is horrible and Parcels is just biting his tongue. Carter will never be able to beat a team that can stop the run. Article from ESPN re Henson's workout for the Cowboys. IRVING, Texas - The Dallas Cowboys got another up-close look at Drew Henson during a private workout Monday at team headquarters. It showed renewed interest by the team in Henson, who is giving up baseball to return to football. His rights are held by the Houston Texans, who already have a young quarterback in David Carr. The Texans drafted Henson in the sixth round last year hoping to trade him if he did decide to play football. Henson, who played at Michigan, is hoping to arrange a trade to the team of his choice. If no deal is done by the draft on April 24, he could be selected by any team. The Texans held an open workout in Houston on Feb. 12, and Dallas was among 20 teams that was represented. Henson is expected to hold similar private sessions for more teams. The Texans are believed to be asking for an early round draft pick for Henson. Whoever trades for him also would have to sign him. © 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
I agree...He did improve, but I don't think he's the future...Hutchinson isn't either, but for a 3rd round or an escalating 1 round, why wouldn't you...
