[danger6]

Thanks for the info superbowlbound and Keith. That is a very informative article that you linked. With respect to a compensatory pick (a year from now) if we haven’t resolved things with Dunta by then, I believe that he would be deemed to have 3rd round value. Since those are awarded at the end of the round, they are really equivalent to a high 4th round pick.

Then there is the possibility that if we bring in a free agent that also has 3rd round value, we would gain no compensatory pick for the loss of Dunta. Also, the rules might change next year and this whole system might be eliminated.

I think Dunta will play with all he has got next year as an interview with potential future employers and hoping for a contract that exceeds what he has now turned down from the Texans. So how much is it worth having a starter for 1 year (at $9.9 mil) and maybe a high 4th round “equivalent” pick in 2010 versus trading for another high contributing player before the season that would be under contract for a longer time period (thereby saving a draft choice in 2010 to replace the “player” lost if we don’t receive a compensatory pick)?

I would opt for the trade now (for a player), not have to use a pick next year to replace a player lost, not have an unhappy employee poisoning the team atmosphere, save all the drama and irritation of the fan-base. Is there another team that would pay him more than he has turned down already? A trade now might not be possible.