Ryans and Drob Skipping Workouts

[Joshua]

As I recall, the reporting on the Smith/Dunta feud was fairly shoddy. 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?

Clearly, by Dunta's reaction, Smith probably could have done a better job of making sure Dunta understood his position. However, I also don't see how Dunta (and particularly his agent) would think the Texans would simply let him walk. Dunta's quotes suggest he thought the Texans would negotiate up until the franchise tender date, and if an agreement wasn't met, would simply let him hit the market to the highest bidder with the Texans getting zero in return. Such a position gives the Texans no leverage and gives Dunta no incentive to negotiate with the Texans when he can hold out for a bidding war. The notion of that is ridiculous and I think Dunta and his agent are being somewhat disingenuous to suggest this was there honest understanding.

[nunusguy]

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?

"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 ?

[papabear]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

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 ?

This is pure speculation, but I blame the agent. My gut feeling is that the agent took whatever Smith told him and spun it, if necessary, as I've gotten them to agree to not use the franchise tag so if we don't like the offer we can hit free agency and really get paid. When that didn't happen the agent blames Smith. Again, total speculation, but if I'm a GM that's why I would make sure that I have some direct communication with a player. Even with the best intentions things can get twisted when it's second hand.

I'm probably just trying to convince myself that a player I like and have pulled for isn't being a total D-Bag and doing all this because he wants to leave. I do think that this scenario, or one like it is at least plausible.

My other new fear, besides O.D.'s price tag after the Winslow contract, is that Ryans has fired his agent...I'm worried that he wants huge money and when his agent told him he probably couldn't get that much he fired him... and now he's going to sign with someone who promised to show him the money, like Rosenhaus. that's my nightmare at least.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by papabear

This is pure speculation, but I blame the agent. My gut feeling is that the agent took whatever Smith told him and spun it, if necessary, as I've gotten them to agree to not use the franchise tag so if we don't like the offer we can hit free agency and really get paid. When that didn't happen the agent blames Smith. Again, total speculation, but if I'm a GM that's why I would make sure that I have some direct communication with a player. Even with the best intentions things can get twisted when it's second hand.

I'm probably just trying to convince myself that a player I like and have pulled for isn't being a total D-Bag and doing all this because he wants to leave. I do think that this scenario, or one like it is at least plausible.

First, I agree that we're all guessing here but I think your scenario makes the most sense. Ever since this story first broke, I've tried to come up with a single reason why Smith would make such a promise and give away his leverage. Since I can't come up with a single one, other than Smith being an idiot (which I don't think he is), I just don't believe he would give them this promise. However, I can see an agent using something like this to persuade his player to hold out for bigger bucks. Although Dunta has to be smart enough to recognize this. I find it ironic that Dunta and his agent purportedly believe that Dunta should get paid like a top flight corner but, at the same time, are shocked that his team wouldn't just let him walk. You can't have it both ways. If you think you're that good, you should expect your team to try and keep you.

[Keith]

Speaking of blaming agents, according to McClain's blog, DeMeco has fired his.

FYI: DeMeco Ryans has fired his agent, Kirk Wood. He's in the process of hiring another agent. I don't know what that'll mean in his attempt to get an extension. He turned down the Texans' last offer in February, and it's been a dead issue since. Stay tuned.

And yeah, if I was Dunta, I would seriously consider firing the agent there, too. If we believe McClain (something his co-worker is having a hard time doing fwiw), Dunta had an offer on the table for $23 million guaranteed. How much more did Chayut think he was going to get for his client (and therefore himself)? Boo. Now his agent has left Dunta in a very risky position.

[Arky]

Frankly, I like Dunta and think he brings a spirited leadership to the team. Having said that, the team survived without him and could survive without him again if they had to. He was knocking on pro-bowler status pre-injury but post-injury, he just hasn't shown the same level, yet (IMHO).

Molden is waiting in the wings. The 2009 season could be used as an evaluation year to determine if Dunta can regain form...