The Houston Chronicle gives free agent OLB Connor Barwin a mere 30 percent chance of re-signing with the Texans. It's been eerily quiet on the Barwin front during the "tampering window," but the Chronicle still believes he'll be priced out of the Texans' range. We'll see. The pass-rusher is coming off a down year that saw his sack total drop from 11.5 in 2011 to three in 2012. The only team Barwin has been linked to is the Colts.

Free agent OLB Connor Barwin suggested the Patriots and Colts as possible landing spots.

According to "people familiar with the situation," the Texans will meet with free agent OLB Connor Barwin's agent at the Combine, and "both sides" are hopeful of a new deal.

The Houston Chronicle believes re-signing free agent OLB Connor Barwin is among the Texans' biggest priorities. The Texans could end up using their franchise tag on Barwin, which would cost $9.455 million. Or, they could try to lock him up to a long-term deal as he's coming off a down season. Barwin, our No. 3 rush linbacker available in March, followed up an eye-opening 11.5 sack season in 2011 with just three sacks in 2012. The Chronicle lists CB Brice McCain, S Glover Quin and FB/TE James Casey as other free agents the Texans will try to retain.

According to Pro Football Weekly, the Texans are considering using the franchise tag on OLB Connor Barwin this offseason. The Texans gave Matt Schaub a $30 million extension after sides reportedly "hit a snag" before the start of the regular season. Barwin, an unrestricted free agent, will need to be franchised if a long-term deal can't be reached. With Schaub and LT Duane Brown recently signed, the Texans don't have any other obvious candidates with expiring contracts. The franchise tender for outside linebackers was $8.8 million in 2012.

The Texans are expected to begin long-term contract talks with OLB Connor Barwin and LT Duane Brown before the start of the season. This has been in the works since the end of last season, when Barwin emerged as the team's pass rusher while Brown finally played as well as any blindside tackle in the game. Barwin's 9.5 sacks in the second half of the season tied with Jared Allen and Elvis Dumervil for the NFL lead.

ESPN's Matt Williamson believes Connor Barwin will become a household name this season. Barwin started all 16 games at outside linebacker in Wade Phillips' 3-4 a year ago, compiling 11.5 sacks. All but two of those sacks came after Mario Williams was lost for the season in Week 5. Even with Williams now in Buffalo, Barwin has major upside as a pass rusher.

The Texans would like to extend the contracts of OLB Connor Barwin and LT Duane Brown before the start of the 2012 season. Both players finally made good on their early-round pedigrees last season, emerging as nucleus players in Houston. After losing Mario Williams to Buffalo, Barwin is entrenched as Wade Phillips' top pass rusher.

Since Week 9, Texans OLB Connor Barwin's 9.5 sacks are tied with Jared Allen and Elvis Dumervil for the NFL lead. Brawin and rookie Brooks Reed kept the pressure on opposing passers even with Mario Williams out for the season. "He's been exceptional," coach Gary Kubiak said of Barwin. ... Connor has got a brilliant future ahead of him ... he's been a big, big leader on our football team and we're all very proud of him."

Texans OLB Connor Barwin set a franchise record with four sacks of Jaguars quarterbacks in Week 12. He finished with 10 tackles (seven solo). The monster day brings Barwin's sack total on the season to 8.5, and after a relatively slow start Barwin now has 6.5 in his last three games. Rookie bookend Brooks Reed has six sacks on the season, and the Texans have hardly missed a beat without Mario Williams.