Rick Smith taking a pretty hard line with media, saying Hopkins' actions are counter-productive <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Rick Smith says Hopkins is being fined. Said that Hopkins' holdout is counterproductive to <a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#Texans">#Texans</a>' success.</p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronBrianSmith/status/759790919352590336" data-datetime="2016-07-31T16:40:46+00:00">July 31, 2016</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
They have pretty long history of not negotiating with players who are holding out. They always say "You've gotta show up and then we can talk", I don't expect this to be any different.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"His actions are counterintuitive to anything getting done." Smith on Hopkins not being here<br><br>Also says that he will be fined</p>— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaysonBraddock/status/759790939237785600">July 31, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"It's constant dialogue." Rick Smith on Hopkins</p>— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaysonBraddock/status/759790466447454208">July 31, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JJ Watt on DeAndre Hopkins 'I'm a player so I advocate for players to get paid'</p>— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/759789903248969728">July 31, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brock Osweiler on DeAndre Hopkins 'are having communication, I'm going to support him but he has to handle his business with team'</p>— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/759791224123305985">July 31, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rick Smith 'we contemplated (negotiating) with DeAndre Hopkins. We made a firm decision'</p>— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/759790673771978753">July 31, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
What is his trade value? A pro bowl WR in his prime, two years left on a deal? I think we could nab a first from a team like the browns who have plenty of extra picks and no WRs.
It's a big hit to anyone, but if Hopkins thinks this could net him $30mil more, it's a risk he's willing to take. I still think it's a longshot and his agents aren't advising him well, but I understand his position.
Trades are very rare in the NFL and when you have a talent like Hopkins under team control for 4 more years, you aren't trading him.
Hop isn't coming to the negotiation table from a very strong position, and I'm not sure why he's opting to holdout considering he would essentially be forcing other Texans to be restructured - how will his teammates view him after that? Having said that, can the Texans/Hop renegotiate a back ended deal that has a limited cap hit over this year and next? He's clearly deserving of a raise, but, to my limited knowledge, it's just not feasible at the moment.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash">#Texans</a> are dug in. If Hopkins stands his ground and doesn't back down, this holdout thing could last a while.</p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronBrianSmith/status/759798690437443586">July 31, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
From the sites I've seen the Texans have no capspace next year. But beyond that they do. Is Hopkins wanting a raise for 16-17 or just an extension?
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Smith: "We are in constant communication. Like I said, he's expressed himself and we've been clear with our position as well."</p>— #TexansCamp (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/759790495463829504">July 31, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Yeah, they could do a back loaded deal without having to do all that much, he could make about 10 mil this year and have it go up from there. I think if he was willing to take that it would already be done though.
I hate players thoughts on certain things. For one, you should get paid more because you can sign a contract and get cut. That's life, which most don't understand. If I go to work and cause problems and do not perform. I have an expectation to get fired. Deandre, you signed the contract and did this with zero leverage. You can't afford to skip out August 4th. Good luck. Texans need to not budge. This is opening up a can of worms. One thing I respect about Rick is that he does not get emotional and make rash decisions. Stay firm, Deandre we will see you in September. Won't be burning a bridge either because you will want your guaranteed money come next season. Will not want that Franchise Tag at the end of 17' either. We have a savy front office financially. Do not GIVE IN!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Rick Smith on D.Hopkins:"His actions r counterintuitive 2any of the productive energy necessary 4anything 2get done <a href="https://t.co/JP0Dds5pJi" title="http://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/759805944117104640/video/1">pic.twitter.com/JP0Dds5pJi</a></p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/759805944117104640" data-datetime="2016-07-31T17:40:28+00:00">July 31, 2016</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Texans brass drops the hammer right back on Hopkins. Come to camp and we can talk deal. I LIKE the way they are handling this.
DeAndre byke. That was quick. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">DeAndre Hopkins is returning to the team. Here's his statement. Press conference this afternoon. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash">#Texans</a> <a href="https://t.co/D12klQm4GL">pic.twitter.com/D12klQm4GL</a></p>— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) <a href="https://twitter.com/taniaganguli/status/759818010148253696">July 31, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
