I'm forced to agree with Ric here. I think that Solomon is just about the best they have over at the Chronicle. I sense that MSN over-reacted to Solomon's column because he didn't like what he wrote. He only laid out the dilemma that Dunta will face come the offseason. Let's look at it this (hypothetical) way: Let's say that MSN was a close and personal friend of Dunta's and he confides that he has a firm offer to play with New England or the NY Giants or even the Dallas Cowboys (who will need a corner once PacMan gets kicked out the league around Xmas). What would you say to him? Stay in Houston where they continue to pile loss upon loss and where they didn't step up with a fair deal or go get the money you feel you deserve from a team with a legitimate shot at the title? That's all this column was about - nothing more.
not if you're offering the most money (and/or more playing time). look at last year's best FA: michael turner left SD for ATL, a 4-win team with petrino/vick stink all over it. two other big names (faneca and samuels) left two of the best, most successful organizations in all of sports. players follow the money.
If we can't negotiate a reasonable extension with Dunta, our best alternative is to put the non exclusive franchise tag on him, let him negotiate with other teams and if we don't match we'll get 2 first round picks as compensation.
Agreed. Sadly, that ain't saying much. What senses did you use? How about simply reading good ol' black-and-white English: ...and he could have done much more. Again, my review of this latest in a long list of poorly written columns isn't a disagreement with its premise (the premise is common sense, really). But thanks anyway for the psychobabble. Is that really an option? What are the pros and cons of doing that?
MSN, man chill out! I mean, there's simply no way what he wrote should have mattered to you in the least unless it touched upon some deep dark fear inside you that Solomon was somehow telling the truth. And that's something that NOBODY knows for sure. Personally, I have to side with Ric on this issue: guys leave good teams and come to bad teams all the time so there certainly doesn't appear to be a lot of evidence that Solomon is speaking the norm. I mean, even the hapless Houston Oilers were still able to attract FAs in their heyday. I can personally see it go either way and would most definitely understand if Dunta did choose to leave for a team with a better shot at the Super Bowl. That's just the nature of business. I find it interesting that people can allow something that a Chronicle columnist writes or says get under their skin. After all, aren't these guys all supposed to be idiots anyway?
Sure there's a way. Perhaps what I've already said, like eight times, is the way. "Chill out," indeed. You arrogantly hide behind your screen and accuse someone you've never met of "deep, dark fears" and such nonsense. I have consistently criticized Chronicle writers, Solomon included, for years. The only thing his latest drivel touched upon is my years of frustration with this ridiculous joke of sports journalism we're cursed with in Houston. For the fifth time, the premise is fine. It's what he did(n't) do with it that's so annoying. The fact that the Chronicle employs idiots and continues to print drivel, for the fourth largest city in the nation, is what's under my skin. Not the probability that Dunte will leave as a free agent. I would have thought that was clearly evident in my posts. I'm sorry you don't like my opinion of the piece. You go way beyond the line characterizing my opinion the way you have, however. Leave your psychobabble nonsense for people you've actually met (and see how THEY like it).
1. Jamie Sharper was an expansion draft pick, not a free agent. 2. Does Orlando Pace qualify as a top player? He had dinner here in Houston just hours before he re-signed with the Rams. Iirc, the Rams ended up matching the big bucks offer the Texans were willing to give him. As for Dunta, the Texans franchise him if they can't reach an agreement long-term. Is he worth a top-5 salary? No, but it is only one year and it carries no bonus. And actually, if there were still any lingering concerns about Robinson's health (are there?), then franchising him might be even better than signing him at all this offseason. The Texans would get another year to evaluate him and they might field a decent trade offer from another team desperate for a starting CB.
