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After missing the first two days of Texans training camp before agreeing to a five-year, $14 million contract Saturday, outside linebacker Brian Cushing is eager to get on the practice field today with his new teammates.
Cushing, the first-round draft choice from Southern California, is getting $10.435 million in guaranteed money to become the starter on the strong side and help improve a defense that ranked 22nd last season, including 23rd against the run.
“I’m just relieved and excited to have this done,” Cushing said. “I’m ready to play football and help the team win.”
Cushing (6-3, 262) was in Los Angeles when agent Tom Condon reached the agreement with general manager Rick Smith and director of football administration Chris Olsen.
Cushing’s contract could be worth a maximum of $18 million over five years.
In the fifth year of his deal, there’s a clause that could earn him an additional $4 million in an escalator bonus.
Odds are that Cushing’s contract will be extended before he enters the fifth season in 2013.
Smith and Olsen will have all eight of their draft choices under contract when the Texans take the field for the third day of two-a-day drills at their Methodist Training Center.
“It’s very important to have him signed,” coach Gary Kubiak said. “Rick and Chris were up at 3 in the morning trying to get it done. They’ve done a good job.
“Brian’s two days behind now, but he didn’t miss anything we did in the offseason program, so that’s a good thing. He wanted to be here while we were working on the contract, but he couldn’t.”
Rookies who have signed with the Texans report a week early for conditioning and meetings before practicing for the first time with the veterans. Cushing wanted to report with the rookies.
He was working out at Reliant Stadium last week when the Texans had to explain league rules that forced him to leave.
Cushing took what turned out to be a quick trip back to Los Angeles. He returned to Houston on Saturday afternoon.
Texans coaches are excited to get him on the practice field.
“We’re going to put the pads on (Sunday morning), and I know he’s chomping at the bit to get out there,” Kubiak said.
After the Texans used the 15th pick in the first round on Cushing, they inserted him into the starting lineup. He impressed his coaches in the organized team activities and minicamp.
“We like his presence on the ball,” Kubiak said, meaning Cushing has a knack for finding the ball and making plays. “He’s playing over the tight end, and we’re going to ask him to do a great deal. We think he can handle it.
“Brian’s very athletic. He’s physical against the run. He can rush the passer. He can drop into coverage. We brought him here for a reason, and we’re going to put him to work real fast.”
Frank Bush, who is in his first season as defensive coordinator, has to make calls that maximize Cushing’s strengths. The faster Cushing learns, the quicker Bush plans to utilize all his talent.
“We’re going to try to take advantage of all his talent,” Bush said. “Because he’s such a talented kid, there are a lot of things we can do with him.”
The coaches say they think Cushing has everything it takes to become a star at his position.
“Brian can turn and run with the tight end,” Bush said. “He’s big and strong enough to strike them at the line of scrimmage and nullify some of their speed down the field, so we’re comfortable with him in coverage.
“His ability also gives us a chance to be aggressive toward the quarterback. He’s a big guy who’s shown he can get there.”

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