Consider this “2009 Texans FAs: Who stays, who goes? 3a of 4.” You can read the previous articles here:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Dunta Robinson, CB, UFA
By now we’ve all given our opinions on Dunta Robinson. In a sense, he’s the key to the entire Texans’ off-season. If he walks, cornerback becomes a first-day priority in the NFL Draft. If he signs, the Texans are free to use the draft to shore up their other defensive issues.
The dilemma with Dunta is obvious. He’s going to want #1 cornerback money, despite coming off a major injury and not quite regaining his previous form. The question is – will he ever get there? I look at it like this – who among even the most optimistic of us ever thought that Dunta would come back as strong as he did, as fast as he did? So who’s to say he won’t be back to 100% in 2009?
Verdict: He MUST be signed. I’m just going to list the reasons:
1. He won’t get lazy. You know he’s not going to be one of those guys who stops working as soon as he signs a fat new contract. He’s got a fantastic work ethic, and nobody wants to win more than Dunta Robinson.
2. He’s the face of our defense. Say what you want about Mario and DeMeco – but Dunta is the Andre Johnson of the Texans’ defense. He’s been here since 2004, and he plays with more aggression and nastiness than anyone else who wears the Steel Blue.
3. He cares. I mean, he really cares. It sounds like a very simple thing – but you just don’t come across multi-millionaires who HURT as much as Dunta does when the team loses.
4. He’s entering his prime. Robinson had raised his game to a new level before that horrible injury stopped him cold. Texans fans would argue he was headed for his first Pro Bowl, but the league likely wouldn’t have noticed on that level. I think it’s pretty amazing that Dunta came back the way he did… and again, I see no reason to not believe him when he says he’ll be at 100% in 2009.
Let’s not forget that when he came back against Detroit in 2008, he didn’t have several weeks of practice in his back pocket. In 2009, he’ll have OTAs, training camp, and pre-season. I believe in the guy and I think he’ll get back to where he was before the injury.
5. The Texans have a unique opportunity in this draft. With a great offense already in place – an offense that could approach elite status in 2009 – the Texans have a unique opportunity to drastically improve their defense in just one offseason. As said before, if Dunta walks, suddenly we likely have to take a cornerback early rather than late (or at all). Free agency won’t fill this void. If we hang on to Dunta, it’s one less position we have to worry about shoring up, and without a pressing need for an early-round offensive player, it’s one more draft slot where we could get a potential starter on the defensive line, linebacker, or safety.
Dunta’s worth it. Give him his money.
There has been a lot of talk that Dunta will be looking for Corey Webster money. That’s 5 years, $43.5 million, with $20 million guaranteed. If that’s what he wants, I say you give it to him. Obviously, the thing we’re most concerned with here is the guaranteed money. $20-23 million guaranteed for Dunta is money well-spent. If they can make the other figures work where they won’t wreck the salary cap (keeping in mind new contracts for Owen Daniels and DeMeco Ryans are on the immediate horizon), it’s an easy decision.
I can’t imagine that Dunta would ask for more than that. If he sniffs around $25 million guaranteed, we might have a problem. In the end, Rick Smith needs to look at Anthony Weaver and Morlon Greenwood’s ridiculous contracts, then realize that Dunta is a sure thing compared to those two deals. Dunta has said all the right things about wanting to get a deal done, and he’s one of the few NFL players who I think isn’t prone to lip service.
Pay the man, unless he loses his mind. It’s the best thing for the immediate and long-term future of this young defense.
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Feb 6, 2009 at 14:15:28
Sign him on conditions…
Give him a salary slightly better than a #2 corner with incentives loaded to pay him like a #1 corner if he performs.
The Texans still must think team and I think it’s a reasonable gesture contract wise.It says we want to cover you and we want to cover ourselves as well.
Feb 6, 2009 at 14:57:38
I would have to see it to belive it that Dunta will not work his way back to being essentially the same player he was in ’07; as the Texan’s fans recognized a pro bowl caliber CB. If that was all he brought to the table then that would be enough; but he brings so much more in terms of leadership that seeing him go would be the worst departure in franchise history. The void would not be easily filled because true leaders are much more rare than physically gifted players. Dunta is the total package. Even at 85% or so, he helped lift our defense last year not so much by his individual play, but his presence. We need him back in ’09.
Feb 7, 2009 at 00:07:26
This article really helped convince me that I want to bring Dunta back. I think that you make a great point that he wont get lazy. If we use that money on another free agent instead then that player could get lazy after he gets paid. Dunta brings a great work ethic and attitude to our team. I think it would send a great message to the team if we gave him the money that he deserves(his injury isnt his fault). He works at least as hard as any other player in the league.
Feb 7, 2009 at 02:22:24
This deal will tell us a lot about Rick Smith the GM. While I want him to sign Dunta, I don’t want him to throw $25 million at him. Performance incentives should be a must in this contract. A base deal under $20 million should be the ceiling. If he stays on the field then he gets his gauranteed money. If we make the playoffs then he gets #1 CB money. And if he makes the Pro-Bowl on a playoff team then he gets elite CB money. Sound fair?
Feb 7, 2009 at 14:04:35
Carson: I’m on board with that. But it might take a while to get there. I’m guessing that he’ll reject that kind of deal out of hand, and shop himself around the league. We just have to hope that he doesn’t find someone desperate for help, and willing to overpay.
Feb 7, 2009 at 14:26:23
@ Carson
“Fairness” isn’t really in the equation for me. I know the Texans have an unofficial policy about not using the franchise tag, but if they can’t get a deal done before the tag deadline – tag him, period. It would be a little too much money for his services, but it’s only one year. That way he has a year to prove he’s everything he says he is, and if he plays up to it – he’ll get his money from us or someone else in ’10.
Feb 7, 2009 at 16:22:58
If it comes down to it, they’ll tag him.
Feb 7, 2009 at 16:35:35
@Carson
I hope you’re right, but I’m not convinced. That’s quite a big number for Dunta, despite how much man-love I have for the guy.
His salary would be just under 10 million if they tag him. I mean, I want them to tag him rather than let him walk… but, ugh.
Feb 19, 2009 at 19:10:40
I just ready Dunta Robinson’s comments… He was just given over 9 million dollars to play one year of football, but feels betrayed and doesn’t know if he can finish his career in Houston… Guy needs a reality check… Economy is in shambles… folks in foreclosure and he’s being forced to play a year of football for nine mil… Sickening…
Feb 19, 2009 at 19:34:26
Whoa – I just literally did a story on this. I assume you saw it on ESPN, same place I did? If there are more quotes, please let me know where.