Texans Daniels Hopes to Land New Deal

Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels said Tuesday he will not be happy if he does not get a multi-year contract prior to the 2009 season.

Daniels was a restricted free agent before he was tendered the maximum the Texans could give him $2.79 million, which means if anyone tried to sign him it would cost them first and third round draft picks if Houston chose not to match.

Daniels is still a Texan and is staring at a one-year contract heading into his fourth season in the NFL and coming off of his first Pro Bowl season.

"Honestly I would probably be a little upset," Daniels said prior to the team's conditioning workouts. "I think I've earned something. I've earned more than a one-year situation here.

"A lot of the guys have been working hard, getting three and four-year deals around here. So I'm happy for them and I think I should be in the same boat."

Daniels is one of the most important weapons on the Texans offense and he reported for work in the club's off-season program. Two of the Texans' top players on defense, linebacker DeMeco Ryans and cornerback Dunta Robinson, are not taking part because they are unhappy with their contracts. Daniels acknowledges he considered doing the same thing.

"I can't lie and say it's something that wasn't thrown around between me and my agent," Daniels said. "I thought it was the best thing for me just to come out here and work and be with the guys and show what I'm here for.

"It's not in my personality to not come out here. I love being around the guys."

In 2008 Daniels caught 70 passes for 862 yards and two touchdowns. He hopes to continue catching passes for the Texans beyond 2009.

"Guys try to play well in this league and try to earn their keep, earn some security on a team and be there for awhile," Daniels said.

"I think I've tried to do that. I would love to be here. So if they can do that, it would be the best thing for both sides."

In fact Texans General Manager Rick Smith made contact Tuesday with Daniels representatives.

"Rick reached out to me and and (agent) Dave (Butz) and my sense is the Texans are going to try and get something done," said Alan Herman, one of Daniels' agents.

"Whether we can remains to be seen."

Herman said a barometer in these negotiations will be the contract extension tight end Kellen Winslow received from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Winslow's extension is for six years and is worth $36.1 million with $20.1 million guaranteed and makes him the highest paid tight end in NFL history.

Winslow, who has played in one Pro Bowl, has caught 219 passes in five years for 2459 yards and 11 touchdowns. He averages 11.2 yards per catch.

In three years Daniels has caught 167 passes for 1982 yards and 10 touchdowns. Daniels averages 11.9 yards per catch.