D-Rob is D-lirious... [2/24 Report: Robinson Will Not Be Tagged]

[NickO]

Originally Posted by Roy P

I like this option. Tag him, compare trade offers, and hopefully get something for nothing. If no GM blinks and offers a 2nd round or 3rd round pick for the "best CB in FA" and Dunta resorts to being a jerk, then rescind the tag. Hell hath no fury like a GM scorned.

Best option from a fan's standpoint, but the Texans may be getting a bit of a reputation as an organisation that doesn't take care of its players.

Per Lance Zierlein's blog...

I've spoken with a couple of agents who have players on the Texans roster and they said that there is starting to be some hard feeling from the players towards management. In other words, I think that the fact that the Texans aren't taking care of their best players contractually is starting to hurt them in the locker room.

http://blogs.chron.com/fantasyfootba...otion_and.html

...then again, these are agents he's talking with, so take that for what it's worth.

[WMH]

It is unofficially, official........Barring any craziness that happens in FA, Dunta has played his last game as a Texan.

From the chronic - http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6882589.html :

The Texans have informed cornerback Dunta Robinson they will not be using the franchise tag on him for a second consecutive year, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

There will be no more negotiations for a new contract, which means Robinson will become an unrestricted free agent on March 5 and will be able to sign with any team.

Robinson, a first-round draft choice in 2004 who played six seasons with the Texans, earned $9.957 million last year when he was designated as the franchise player. Before he was franchised, Robinson turned down an offer that would have guaranteed him $23 million.

Robinson started every game last season and covered the opponent's best receiver. Because free agency will increase from four to six years without a salary cap, Robinson should be one of the most attractive free agents on the market.

Without Robinson, cornerback becomes a priority position for the Texans. Expect them to use a high draft choice on a replacement.

Glover Quin starts at one spot. Jacques Reeves and Brice McCain played better than the other reserve corners last season. Fred Bennett was a disappointment, and Antwaun Molden was injured much of the season.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by NickO

Best option from a fan's standpoint, but the Texans may be getting a bit of a reputation as an organisation that doesn't take care of its players.

Per Lance Zierlein's blog...


http://blogs.chron.com/fantasyfootba...otion_and.html

...then again, these are agents he's talking with, so take that for what it's worth.

I think management is just trying to play it a little tighter/a little smarter these days. They have been burnt in the past with stupid trades and FA signings and poor extensions. I think they need to:

1. Make DeMeco (and his agent) happy. Do the long term deal or pay the man a premium salary for at least this year till some of this upcoming labor dispute becomes clearer.

2. Ditto for OD. Unfortunately, he lost a lot of bargaining power with the club due to injury. I'd like to see them keep him on with a reasonable deal. IMO, he's got a year to prove he can overcome the injury. This would work for him if he wants out in 2011 - he can show the league he's still got it.

3. Kevin Walter - I believe he's a true URFA and as far as I can tell, not a "complainer". I want him back but they may feel they are deep enough to go in a different direction. His situation might be stickier than the other two. It's an uncapped year so I have no idea how they are going to play this one...

The Texans are not the Patriots......yet. They can't afford to let their best players leave just yet. IMO, they're not tightwads - nothing I've seen suggests that. I like the fact that they DO NOT throw stupid money at big name free agents. I think they've proved they can been very good to some..... Mario, Schaub, Winston, A Smith, etc....

--------------

McClain on the radio right now saying both Dunta and Pitts (!) won't be back next year....

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Arky

2. Ditto for OD. Unfortunately, he lost a lot of bargaining power with the club due to injury. I'd like to see them keep him on with a reasonable deal. IMO, he's got a year to prove he can overcome the injury. This would work for him if he wants out in 2011 - he can show the league he's still got it.

McClain on the radio right now saying both Dunta and Pitts (!) won't be back next year....

I think the Texans made a "reasonable" offer before OD got hurt.

There is a difference between "taking care" of your best players contractually, and just giving out silly money for past performance. A team should be spending money on players who will most likely earn their salaries.

DeMeco Ryans falls into this category. I was worried Schaub may not have played up to his contract, but at this point, I'd say that he did. Whatever Andre makes, Andre earns.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Roy P

I think the Texans made a "reasonable" offer before OD got hurt.

There is a difference between "taking care" of your best players contractually, and just giving out silly money for past performance. A team should be spending money on players who will most likely earn their salaries.

DeMeco Ryans falls into this category. I was worried Schaub may not have played up to his contract, but at this point, I'd say that he did. Whatever Andre makes, Andre earns.

Agree on all points.
When it comes to OD being a ProBowl level talent, lets not forget that he was a PB alternate who got in when somebody withdrew, caught a couple passes, and scored a nice little TD. Maybe that experience left him with the belief that he was an elite level TE, but I tend to think he's only marginally elite if that ? Therefor IMO he was offered money consistant with his level of talent but turned it down and sought more with his gamble failing. End of story.
DeMeco & AJ are clearly elite talents, with AJ even eclipsing that if possible.
They should be both be under contract for the long-term.
Re Schaub, he's our QB and a very competant and successful QB and that automatically makes him the Texans MVP so far as I'm concerned. Obviously then he's worth the money.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by Roy P

I think the Texans made a "reasonable" offer before OD got hurt.

There is a difference between "taking care" of your best players contractually, and just giving out silly money for past performance. A team should be spending money on players who will most likely earn their salaries.

Whelp, as long as you know that and I know that and the Texan brass knows that, then we're all happy. The point being - that there is a rumor that the Texans don't take care of their people doesn't seem justified to most of this at this point....

But OD is in a pickle.... he's got to prove himself all over again which means if he's still got it, then the Texans will benefit whether he leaves when he can or stays.... Griping about it doesn't do anybody any good, eh? He should just do his job and keep his mouth shut..... I think some of these guys just want to go visit the golden goose that is free agency and OD was denied that privilege this year...

[kravix]

I dont remember what the offer to Demeco was reported as, if there was one, but I do know that the offers to OD and DRob were very generous and fair. Well at least as reported from a money standpoint, there are always stipulations and such built in which players might not see.

OD was quoted, in the Chron I think, last year saying something along the lines that contract was outdated. Now to me that means he wanted top dollar for 5 years predicated on the fact that by the end of his contract he would no longer be the top paid TE in the league; which to me is rediculous.

DRob is not a probowl CB, and his play over the last 5 years has lead me to believe that he will never be. He may get his payday this year, but at least its some other team that will have to pick up the tab on a 28 year old corner who has yet to prove anything besides being good in run support and comming up with some hard hits.

Reeves/Quin/McCain/Bennet/Molden as it shakes out now.

I, unlike most, like Reeves and believe that he can play as a starting press CB. He just needs to learn to play the ball better.

Quin earned his starting spot, and Kubiak even went on record about him playing outstanding all year.

[Bigtinylittle]

Lance is very good at what he does, but I think from time to time he's not above trying to put pressure on the Texans front office in order to take care of some of his sources, namely agents of Texan players.

By the way, is it likely the league will give us draft compensation for losing Dunta? If so, it makes this decision even better.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle

By the way, is it likely the league will give us draft compensation for losing Dunta? If so, it makes this decision even better.

I would think a 3rd or 4th round comp pick. As long as we do not go out and sign every top level FA.