Quote:
Originally Posted by Joshua
While the headlines blared that Smith promised Dunta that he wouldn't franchise him and then reversed course, Smith's actual quotes did not support this. According to Smith, he told Dunta he didn't want to franchise him but that the franchise tag was never off the table. Thus, I don't think it was ever a situation where Smith changed his mind. It was a situation he hoped to avoid (having to franchise Dunta) but one he simply wasn't able to. Moreover, from a logical standpoint, why would Smith conclude (in January) that he will not use the franchise tag under any circumstances? How would this have been in the Texans' interests?
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"I asked yesterday whether Rick Smith lied to Dunta Robinson about using the franchise tag. Dunta certainly said he was deceived. Rick Smith has now addressed his alleged deceit. Sort of:
"The first thing you have to understand is a negotiation is a dynamic, thorough process," Smith said. "We had a conversation very early in the negotiation process where I indicated I didn't want to use the franchise tag on Dunta. I was clear about that because of the negative feelings around the tag.
"My approach was we were going to do everything we can do to get a deal done because we don't want to use it. But things change in a negotiation. That was our initial position for him with respect to value in a contract. And we changed on that. We offered him a deal that exceeded that.
"This whole time, up until yesterday at 4 (EDT), the franchise tag is always in play. And so when they elected to exercise their right in declining our offer to make him one of the highest-paid corners in football, we exercised out (sic) option to tag him. It's part of the deal."
I've read that excerpt at least six (6) times, and I still don't know whether I can definitively say that Rick Smith lied to Dunta. Saying "we'll do everything we can to get a deal done because we don't want to use it" isn't exactly "we're not going to slap you with the franchise tag."
In that respect, I guess Smith didn't lie. Then again, reading Smith's account, I can certainly see how Dunta would feel misled. Indeed, Smith admits the team "changed" positions, which can be interpreted as a tacit admission of misrepresentation, I suppose.
Oddly enough, this additional perspective doesn't really provide a definitive answer. I'm now more sympathetic to Dunta, but Smith's account does not make me think that the Texans were somehow out of line in franchising Dunta Robinson. Where do you come down on the issue?
http://www.battleredblog.com/2009/2/...begins-to-spin
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But as the writer here says, its still not an absolutely definitive explanation.
But I can't help but think that D-Rob wouldn't be so P'OD if he didn't feel like
he was getting the green-weeny ?
I dunno, you tell me ?