It was not by choice. David Andersen, Matt Schaub and Eric Winston (and others?) got to him for some rookie hazing.
Did anybody see Andre Johnson's Commerical with Dick's sporting goods on ESPN? If not, then look out for it
Nope, I haven't but I hope to...We need to pay more attention to AJ, he has said this is the best he has ever felt. NFL network is also doing a day in the life of episode airing sometime next week... Speaking about Dicks, I was in the Mt. Juliet store in TN, and whose picture was there about their NIKE football shoe?...Mario Williams. Considering Dick's nationwide stores and promotions, I found it interesting that a big picture of #90 representing Houston was the only football player's pic in the football section for shoes...
If this is the best AJ has ever felt, I feel kind of bad for the rest of the NFL. He put up 1575 yards last season. What's he going to do this season? 2,000? Not to mention, the more attention he gets, the more open OD and KW are and the bigger the lanes for SS to run through. IF Schaub stays healthy, this is easily one of the top 3 offenses in the NFL again.
yeah, it's the secondary that is scaring me right now...especially if our D-Line doesn't improve pressuring the QB this season. We need Dunta, but I don't think he deserves top-5 money...I don't consider him a top 10 cover corner.
Robinson wants guarantee from Texans Cornerback doesn't want franchise tag in 2010 By JEROME SOLOMON http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/6564888.html Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson, who has yet to sign a contract and report to training camp, says he is likely to join the team the week the regular season begins, though that could change at any minute. Robinson declared he would be on “the first thing smoking” and at practice tomorrow morning if the Texans would agree not to place a franchise tag on him for a second consecutive year. “I’d be on the way to the airport while we were talking, and be the first one at the next practice if they did that,” Robinson said in a telephone interview from Sarasota, Fla., where he is working out to prepare for the upcoming season. Robinson said should the negotiations stretch to the end of the preseason he would report and do his best to be ready for the season opener against the Jets on Sept. 13. With a new defensive coordinator (Frank Bush) and a new secondary coach (David Gibbs), Robinson admits that it might not be easy for him to get up to speed. “If it were the same system we’ve been running, I could be ready to play this Sunday,” he said. “I’m in great shape; better than I was at any point last season. In a way, I don’t know how I was even out there late in the season, as weak as me knee and legs were. But I was anxious to get back out there. I had to because I knew the team needed me.” After not being able to come to an agreement on a long-term deal, the Texans placed a franchise tag on Robinson. About the only thing left to negotiate since that point has been whether the team would agree not to place the restrictive tag on him next offseason. “We’re not inclined to agree to that,” Texans general manager Rick Smith said. “It has less to do with Dunta Robinson, and more to do with organization. We don’t feel comfortable doing that, so we’re not going to.” Smith said it is very important for Robinson to get to camp as soon as possible. “If Dunta were a two- or three- or four-time Pro Bowler, I’d be more comfortable with him missing training camp,” Smith said. “But he needs to be here for his teammates and for him. He plays a skilled position that the more reps, the more snaps, he gets, the better he’s going to be. “I say he needs to be here because it’s better for Dunta Robinson’s development to be here. And it's certainly better for the team. Right now we need to focus on the Texans' 2009 season.” Robinson said he doesn't feel like he's asking for much. "It’s what other teams do and have done,” he said. “It’s not a crazy request. I’m trying to meet them in the middle, but they won’t come halfway. I would have been at all the offseason stuff, and at training camp from Day 1 if they just agreed to that.” The Patriots placed a franchise tag on Asante Samuel before the 2007 season, and agreed to not place it on him the following year. The Titans made a similar deal with Albert Haynesworth last season. Each player left his original team, signing a huge contract as a free agent. Robinson said though he was upset that Smith went against an early declaration in the negotiations that the team would not franchise him, he understands that the team was trying to sign him at a lesser rate than his perceived value as a free agent. “He said I wasn’t a franchise tag-worthy player,” Robinson said. “If that’s the case, then why pay me franchise-level money? And possibly two years in a row? Doesn’t make sense to me.” Robinson, who has not talked publicly about the situation since April, would not say how much the Texans offered him long-term. But he noted that the reported $23 million guarantee is almost what the Texans would be forced to pay him for only two seasons of work if he were franchised next year as well. The franchise tag (the average salary for the five highest paid players at a position) for cornerbacks this season is just under $10 million. That number will almost certainly rise for the 2010 season, possibly to the $11-12 million range. (Per the collective bargaining agreement a player who is franchised twice is due at least a 10-percent raise the second year or the tag level, whichever is highest.) Robinson is the first player in Texans history to be given the franchise tag. “It’s killing me not to be there. My teammates know that, and the Texans’ front office knows that,” Robinson said. “Once this is over, they know I will give my all and play my heart out just as I have always done. I’m a Texan through and through. They know that too. “I’ve planned on being a Texan for my entire career. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to be paid what I am worth. Whatever happens on the business side, when the season starts, I’m going to put it all out there on the field, just like I always have.” ------------------ I'm really starting to dislike Robinson.
...Deep sigh... So his thinking is why should I accept $23 million guaranteed if that is almost what I get in 2 years if the Texans are "forced" to franchise tag me?.... You know what?...How about you appreciate the fact the short term is compensation AS IF you were rated somewhere between the third and second best corner in the NFL... DRob, I'm going to do you a favor, I'm going to pray the Texans utilize your services and let you go after this season. How awful it is that they are "forced" to pay you as such. I understand you want to be paid long-term at a level which is comparable to the top 2 or 3 in the NFL, and the rumor is you may be gracious enough to settle for third best money as long as the contract years is 6 or more, and I appreciate that. The problem is some crazy folks don't even think you are top 10 money, baby...My goodness! DRob. Now I think what Rick Smith is saying is maybe if you had a couple more pro-bowls to your resume, you might have some reasonable leverage....But then again who said anything about "reasonable",...this is after all about you and your single goal.
I find it funny that Dunta continues to talk about how the team needs him and that its killing him to get back, but in the end its still all about him. He is still under contract with the Texans and will make a little under $10 million for one season. Its also interesting to me how earlier in the offseason Dunta talked about sitting out part of the season, now he'll join the team when the regular season begins. In a couple of days he'll be in town talking about how he'll play in a couple of preseason games. While I love football, this is the part of the pro game that I despise. I understand the owners make a plethora of money, and the players are a big reason why. However, I think its a classless move to holdout on OTA's, training camp, preseason, regular season or any team activity if you are unhappy with your contract. All Robinson has to do is sign his tender to make top 5 money and he can get back to proving himself on the field. He came off a catastrophic injury and didn't play too well and allegedly turned down $23 million!?! I don't think the Texans are wrong for franchising him and refusing to promise not to franchise him again. What incentive is it for Texans to "agree" not to franchise him? If anything it hurts both sides that Robinson is not in camp, but IMO hurts Robinson more as the system will be a little different and there are guys in camp busting their hump to get on the field. I sincerely hope that when he does decide to grace the Texans with his presence that he is not just given a spot. Make him earn it like everyone else. Daniels and Ryans are both unhappy with their current contracts, but are both still in camp busting it to help the team make the next big step. It seems like the team made preliminary offers this past offseason and the players and their agents refused (as most first offers are) and the Texans said okay we'll talk next offseason. I don't know why the Texans made this move, maybe to establish a base line or feel things out. I do know that the more I hear Robinson talk about how unfairly he has been treated and how he just wants what he thinks he is worth, the more I get sick of this guy and hope that he is wearing a different uniform next year.
Alright, the Texans made the front page of the National Football Post this morning. Too bad it was for Dunta's contract situation... Here's the comment that I posted, and it goes back to the logic that Dunta laid out in today's Chronicle. If Dunta wants to earn the right to not be franchised again next year, Rick Smith should combine a couple of the Titans' provisions from Fat Albert's contract, 1) Make the Pro Bowl (which should incent Dunta to report to camp to learn the new system and get those reps he's been missing) 2) Lead the Texans to a top 5 (heck top 10) defensive ranking. Dunta's reasoning that the Texans will be paying him $20+ million over two years when they could've got him for a longer term deal can't be discounted. Why are the Texans putting themselves in a position where they might have to pay him that much money over two years and then work out a deal for him with more money guaranteed later? I wrote the following on a local blog when all this started happening back in February: If Gamble got 6 years, $53 MM (with $23 MM guaranteed) and Hayden got 5 years, $43 MM (with $22.5 MM guaranteed), can't the Texans come up with a deal that pays him the accordingly? Since Hayden's guarantees equate to over 52% of his contract number (compared to ~43.4% of Gamble's) the Texans could pay Dunta either $44.2 MM over 5 years (Gamble's avg/year for one less year) with $27.7 MM guaranteed (using the percentage guaranteed that Hayden got) or how about 6 years at $51.6 MM with $27 MM guaranteed (using Hayden's average salary of $8.6 MM/year and his % guaranteed)?!? Sounds reasonable, right? Hey Dunta, would you rather have: A) Gamble's contract (6 years, $53 MM (with $23 MM guaranteed)) B) Hayden's contract (5 years, $43 MM (with $22.5 MM guaranteed)) C) Combo #1 (5 years, $44.2 MM (with $23.1 MM guaranteed)) with maybe a team option for year 6 that could take it up to 6 year, $53 MM and $27 MM guaranteed D) Combo #2 (6 years, $51.6 MM (with $27 MM guaranteed)) I think those offers would be beyond fair, and like Dunta pointed out, you're in essence guaranteeing him almost $20 MM over two years by playing the franchise game.
I don't think he has signed a contract yet so he is free to do what he wants. I think I would blame both sides. The clock is ticking on management, they need to make the playoffs before they get axed. 8-8 just is not going to cut it or I hope mcnair feels that way. They need to do all they can to get to the SB and with no corners this team will be in trouble. Paying 20+ mil over two years would be stupid and if they franchise him again that is what they would be doing. I think Asomugha's contract might push that number up. Giving up the franchise tag for next year seems acceptable.
It doesn't make any sense for the team to guarantee not using the franchise tag on him next season. It seems pretty clear to me that Dunta is VERY interested in getting to free agency. When a good CB hits free agency, the odds that a team goes crazy-stupid and offers a contract WAY above what the player is worth (compared to his peers) are pretty damn good. I think Dunta knows that and wants to get paayeeedd. Anything he tells the Texans at this point about wanting the guarantee of no franchise tag is simply his latest ploy to become a free agent. If the reported contract the Texans offered him is legit and he turned it down, then he isn't really interested in negotiating a reasonable contract. He's interested in getting overpaid. I can understand that, but as fans it is difficult to root for a guy like that. I think Rick Smith will be smart in this. He won't make any guarantees. If Dunta decides to wait until the last week before the regular season to come back, then so be it. He probably won't be starting week 1 (or he might at that), but over the course of the season I don't think the Texans will get significantly less production out of him than were he to report today (assuming he really is in great shape). So you still get a good to great season from the guy (I'm expecting pro-bowl caliber since he is playing for a contract) and you still can franchise him next offseason if his contract demands are still through the roof. If you can't come to an agreement again, then you franchise him and trade him. I think we could get a pretty decent return for the guy if he's coming off a probowl caliber season, even considering that teams will know we have no real leverage.
The Texans will *never* surrender their right to franchise anyone. That would be a terrible move. It would set the precedent and open the flood gates for a bunch of other knuckleheads looking for a paycheck to hang the organization up by its toes. The Texans did what they could but Dunta made his bed, and now his pride is getting in the way of not only the team success but his individual success as well. What good does it do to sit out training camp? The Texans are unable to offer him a contract now, so what point is he trying to make? That he is a selfish ass who will spite the team at his own expense? He'll play half the season out of shape and out of sync with the defense? Look like a jerk who will be headaches for management? Yeah, that's how to get paid allright. Both parties better hope Dunta does well this year, because if he sucks then the Texans won't get any trade value for him and will most likely let him walk (unless he somehow resigns which at this point I think his days in Houston are done after this year). If he does well then the Texans franchise him again and trade him away for picks or other secondary help. Either way, his days on Kirby are numbered.
They're not going to be able to trade him anyway. He's a free agent again after the season, and there are no sign and trades in the NFL. I think Dunta will be lucky if they offer again what they reportedly offered this offseason. Good chance he's gone after this season, unless he has a down year and there is no market on him.
The Newark Star-Ledger reports that the NFL will suspend Jets DE Shaun Ellis one week for his November 2008 mar1juana possession arrest. The Texans play the Jets the first week. That means the Jets will be without Shaun Ellis & Calvin Pace who combined for 15 sacks last year. http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2009/08/ny_jets_notebook_shaun_ellis_e.html
Seriously. **** that dude. He is coming off what was feared to be a career shortening injury, performed below par, and now wants to b**** about making $9M this year? He is a big question mark and he wants to act like he is the best CB in the NFL. If Glover is what it looks like he may be, we can leave Dunta in the proverbial rearview mirror.
Dunta will probably sit out most if not all of the preseason just to avoid training camp and prove a "point" but in the long run he will be starting vs the Jets... I believe it was Matt J. or Lance Z who said that its more about him not wanting to be here then the cash he wants and he will be gone anyway after next season so let him whine and complain and dont franchise the fool next offseason so some stupid team caves and gives him stupid money atleast we wont be in camp hell because of him.
Man, seeing him not on the field makes our secondary look like crap. I really hope our DL can finally put pressure on the QB or our secondary is toast.
