Owen Daniels Contract Negotiations

[Keith]

Originally Posted by papabear

Saw that...my question is, knowing this why wouldn't OD sign the offer before that date? Does he lose the ability to negotiate a long term deal once he signs the tender? I just don't see any reason why he wouldn't sign it knowing it could cost him 2+ million. I don't know if the Texans would take advantage of the option to reduce the tender, but there's no business reason not to other than hurting OD's feelings. I'm sure Owen recognizes, or at least hope he does, the business aspects of it.

I'm guessing he recognizes it. I'm going to also guess that there's some amount of good faith negotiating going on behind the scences (gaspshock! might our local media be missing the scent of this story?? egads! )

Daniels has been in attendance through OTAs from all I can infer. And afaik, there is no reason why he couldn't still try to negotiate a long-term deal after signing the tender.

[nunusguy]

Texans tight end Owen Daniels has become the second player to skip organized team activities this offseason because of a contract dispute with the franchise's front office.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6466951.html

[Keith]

Yeah, yeah. The Texans should be counting their lucky stars OD showed up at all without a contract.

Fans have been kinda harsh on Dunta's situation when I'm not really sure I believe all that's been reported contractually in the first place. Now Owen's out, and until I know more about what the Texans REALLY have and have not offered, I refuse to get upset at either Dunta or Owen.

Don't fault the player in either case here. Fault the system if anything. And don't forget your healthy sense of skepticism on anything you read about these things in the media.

[Nconroe]

Yes, its the long offseason so we have to talk about something. From what I've heard, I think the offer to OD is low so far. Maybe been to harsh on the guys skipping OTA, but they do make a lot of money for a game, so hard to feel to sorry for these guys.

[Keith]

Yeah, you either feel sorry for the millionaire players or the billionaire ownership... so I don't feel sorry for either.

I will say though that players have a VERY small window in which to make the big buxxx, and Daniels has just entered that window (as has Robinson). I think that's why the longer I've been at this, the more I tend to at least sympathize with the player's "plight" over the team's/ownership's. The fan in us wants everyone on the field, but this is business, and I doubt most of us regular joe's would risk life and limb for our jobs without vying for the best compensation we could, especially if our window to get PAID was anywhere near as small as it is for an NFL player.

[cadams]

Originally Posted by Keith

Yeah, you either feel sorry for the millionaire players or the billionaire ownership... so I don't feel sorry for either.

I will say though that players have a VERY small window in which to make the big buxxx, and Daniels has just entered that window (as has Robinson). I think that's why the longer I've been at this, the more I tend to at least sympathize with the player's "plight" over the team's/ownership's. The fan in us wants everyone on the field, but this is business, and I doubt most of us regular joe's would risk life and limb for our jobs without vying for the best compensation we could, especially if our window to get PAID was anywhere near as small as it is for an NFL player.

I am starting to get a little concerned over how they are handling negotiations. We no have 3 key players (robinson, daniels, and ryans) who want contracts, two of whom are now holding out. I am sure there are two sides to this story, but I don't like the way it is playing out.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by cadams

I am starting to get a little concerned over how they are handling negotiations. We no have 3 key players (robinson, daniels, and ryans) who want contracts, two of whom are now holding out. I am sure there are two sides to this story, but I don't like the way it is playing out.

I agree, but it is also important to look at all three individually, at least for now, since each is in a different situation. And it is important to remember that the current CBA situation is impacting all three of them, too.

Ryans is currently under contract, which immediately makes him different from Dunta and Owen. He would be a true/classic holdout if he failed to show for mandatory workouts. His situation is aggravated in that he'll be a RFA without a new CBA, so he's feeling a little screwed by the circumstances (and placing those feelings onto the GM), not to mention he feels as though he has already outperformed his rookie contract.

Daniels is an RFA that deserves a real contract. From reports it sounds like his team hasn't even been discussing #s yet with the Texans. Just sort of a slap in the face since the Texans already extended another RFA, Joel Dreesen, who ohbytheway is Daniels' backup. Without a new CBA though, instead of riding out 2009 as a RFA, he still wouldn't be a UFA next year.

Dunta's situation is a more standard F-tag one, but his is complicated by his significant injury in 2007. Much more uncertainty here than with other F-tags, so that both parties are at a standstill is predictable to me. I don't put a lot of faith into media reports re: Dunta's situation, and fans getting overly angry at Dunta are possibly jumping to conclusions. I think Dunta might just have to play 2009 as an F-tag, though I would still like him to sign long-term here.

[dadmg]

Originally Posted by cadams

I am starting to get a little concerned over how they are handling negotiations. We no have 3 key players (robinson, daniels, and ryans) who want contracts, two of whom are now holding out.

You and me both. I'm surprised they let Demeco's or Dunta's contracts get to this point. And if they wanted to keep Owen it would've been a lot cheaper to sign him to an extension earlier too.