What Should Be Done with Dunta Robinson in the Offseason? [F-Tagged on 2/19!]

[cadams]

I don't know what it would take to get him signed to a longterm deal, but if they f-tag him, that is going to be extremely expensive, I am guessing something like 15 million, and if he is all the way back then his next contract will have to be huge, because he will probably be the best corner on the market (and would be this year as well). I say sign him now and maybe you can get a discount based on the "uncertainty".

[Keith]

Originally Posted by cadams

if they f-tag him, that is going to be extremely expensive, I am guessing something like 15 million

No, too high. The F-tag at CB is probably going to be in the neighborhood of $9.9 million.

I'm all for negotiating a long-term deal with him because (1) I heart him, obviously, but (2) because I agree with you in that I think the Texans can get something of a bargain price on a player I think will prove to be much better than anything we saw in 2008.

But there's risk, and even at a discount, Dunta is probably going to command guaranteed money in ohhhh the $15-17 million range? Tough to say. Chris Gamble is rumored to have received $20-23 million "guaranteed" in a 6-yr deal late last year. (I use quotes on the guaranteed since $10 million of that comes in the form of a roster bonus due to him next month.)

I guess what I'm trying to say is that if he is signed to a multi-year contract, the Texans will be paying Dunta more - much more - cash-wise in 2009 than the $10 million or so as a F-tagged player. The long vs. short decision might just boil down to how much risk Rick Smith (and ultimately Bob McNair) are willing to take on Dunta for 2009.

[dalemurphy]

I would transition tag him. He would cost about $2 million less and it would give the team some protection while he tried to shop himself around the NFL. If he's asking for top dollar, he can find out for himself that he can't get it and will likely be priced down into something the team is willing to pay. If he signs with someone else, we still have an opportunity to match.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

I would transition tag him. He would cost about $2 million less and it would give the team some protection while he tried to shop himself around the NFL. If he's asking for top dollar, he can find out for himself that he can't get it and will likely be priced down into something the team is willing to pay. If he signs with someone else, we still have an opportunity to match.

Honestly Dale, don't you think many of these guys in D-Robs positon (coming into FA like D-Rob is), already have a pretty good feel for what's out there. I mean I think the players (thru their agents) not only talk to other teams but carry on active negotiations prior to actually become a FA. Officially I know its strictly forbidden, but I suspect it routinely happens every year.

[cadams]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

I would transition tag him. He would cost about $2 million less and it would give the team some protection while he tried to shop himself around the NFL. If he's asking for top dollar, he can find out for himself that he can't get it and will likely be priced down into something the team is willing to pay. If he signs with someone else, we still have an opportunity to match.

dunta would get pretty close to top dollar on the open market. he would be the most sought after db fa this offseason.

[NBT]

Originally Posted by cadams

dunta would get pretty close to top dollar on the open market. he would be the most sought after db fa this offseason.

Dunta WAS good, yes! But last year he was coming off a bad injury. He only got to play in the last part of the season and he still wasn't full speed yet. So it is still problematical if he is or WILL, get back to his old self. So saying, I want the Texans to continue to negotiate in good faith until we find out what his fair market price is going to be. If, say by June, he is not signed, is time enough to think about the dreaded tag.

[Keith]

If Dunta is indeed tagged, it will happen in February. I don't have the exact date on me, but it will definitely be before UFA signing begins.

fyi - I'm guessing the transition tag is roughly $8.0 million... problem is a match might mean a poison pill, which would be a big problem. Plus, transition tags come with no compensation. Both reasons are why you don't see the transition tag used all that much.

and... welcome dalemurphy. Braves fan?

[RunninRaven]

Is a transition tag the same as a franchise tag?

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by Keith

If Dunta is indeed tagged, it will happen in February. I don't have the exact date on me, but it will definitely be before UFA signing begins.

fyi - I'm guessing the transition tag is roughly $8.0 million... problem is a match might mean a poison pill, which would be a big problem. Plus, transition tags come with no compensation. Both reasons are why you don't see the transition tag used all that much.

and... welcome dalemurphy. Braves fan?

Big Braves fan but I've lost interested in baseball the past 5-8 years. I used to post a fair amount on Houstonprofootball.com and recognize you from there.

I'm assuming that poison pills are kind of a non-issue with the collective bargaining agreement ending and the uncapped year in 2010. But, that's just a guess. I just think the transition tag is a way to negotiate with Dunta if he's demanding huge dollars without destroying the team's relationship with him, franchise him, and end up in the same position next year- only with a higher franchise level.

[cadams]

Originally Posted by NBT

Dunta WAS good, yes! But last year he was coming off a bad injury. He only got to play in the last part of the season and he still wasn't full speed yet. So it is still problematical if he is or WILL, get back to his old self. So saying, I want the Texans to continue to negotiate in good faith until we find out what his fair market price is going to be. If, say by June, he is not signed, is time enough to think about the dreaded tag.

I dont think you can wait until June to decide to tag a player. I am pretty certain they have to decide in the next few weeks.