Asper 1560 Lance Z through the air. Chron Link: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/6269456.html [rquoter]Texans put franchise tag on Dunta Robinson Move means team won't be likely to lose cornerback to free agency By JOHN MCCLAIN Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle Feb. 19, 2009, 10:37AM INDIANAPOLIS – After failing to agree on a long-term contract, the Texans decided to franchise cornerback Dunta Robinson today. Robinson, who earned $2.4 million in 2008, will receive a one-year contract worth $9.957 million. The deadline was franchising players is 3 p.m. today. In making Robinson the first player in team history to get the franchise designation, the Texans used the non-exclusive tag. That means other teams can sign Robinson, but the Texans have a right to match. If they don’t, they receive two No. 1 draft choices. Had the Texans used the exclusive tag, which is rare in the NFL, Robinson wouldn’t have been free to negotiate with other teams. Franchising Robinson means two things: One, he’s guaranteed of being on the team next season. Two, they can continue to negotiate a long-term contract. General manager Rick Smith and agent Jason Chayut have been trying to work out a long-term deal for weeks. Although neither side has commented publicly on the negotiations, the barometer for negotiations probably has been the contract extention Carolina cornerback Chris Gamble signed in November. Gamble signed a six-year extension worth $53 million, including $23 million guaranteed. Robinson and Gamble were drafted in 2004. On Wednesday, the Colts re-signed cornerback Kelvin Hayden to a five-year, $43 million contract that included $22.5 million in guarantees. Giants cornerback Corey Webster signed a five-year extension during the season that included $20 million in guarantees. If the Texans are able to sign Robinson to a long-term contract, expect him to get guaranteed money in the range of Gamble’s $23 million and Hayden’s $22.5 million. john.mcclain@chron.com[/rquoter] pretty important info in bold. good move by the texans to go with the non-exclusive tag.
in what has been a horrible week, this is just awesomeness at an awesome level. dammit, reeves is still on the team. =/ maybe we can sign a veteran CB just for depth.
Good news. They can work out a long term deal and not worry about losing him for next season. He's one of the centerpieces of the D. Without him, draft priorities change completely.
I think it will still be a priority in the first 3 or 4 rounds. DE, DL, CB and Safety could be the first 4 picks. Yahoo's mock has us taking a DE in the 1st and a CB in the 2nd. Yahoo Mock Draft: Version IV
I still have some hope for Reeves. He did look bad at times last season but he has the athleticism to be a very good corner. Hopefully Gibbs (new DB coach) can get his technique down so he'll be in position to make plays...unlike Petey Faggins, who just didn't have the talent to begin with. But corner is one of those positions you're almost always looking to improve.
The thing I've noticed with Reeves is that he is in position to make plays, but he just doesn't. He always seems to be right on top of the WR, but the WR makes the catch anyway. Not sure if it's technique or bad luck...
Dunta and Bennett are gonna be a good combo over the next 4 or 5 years, I see Molden developing into something nice as well he has all the tools.
If I were the Texans, I'd let somebody else sign him and not match and pocket the 2 #1 draft choices.
Well turning your head and playing the ball is part of technique, so I'd say it's more than bad luck. Nobody in their right mind is going to give up 2 first round picks for a guy that's only played half a season after major knee surgery. There aren't many guys in the league that would fetch two first round picks.
Well theres always a chance, but most likely the Texans are doing this to avoid giving him a long term deal until they see how he performs this season.
That Kelvin Hayden contract makes me cringe. $22.5M guaranteed?? Yikes. The Texans are gonna have to come up with something comparable to that if they want to re-sign Dunta long-term.
Nnamdi Asomugha just signed a 3 year deal worth a staggering 45 million with 28 mil guaranteed. That will make him the highest paid CB in the league.
Deservedly so. He's a stud. Mcclain has reported that Dunta wanted $23 mil guaranteed over 5 seasons, Texans were offering between $18 and $20 mil. I suspect that he'll get in that range next year, and possibly higher if he returns to his elite status.
