As we gear up for endless months of draft talk, mock drafts, and the like – it would be nice to know if Dunta Robinson is going to be a Texan in 2010. That would clear up a few things… like who the Texans will take in the first round of the draft.
Dunta has publicly stated that he wants to return to the Texans. He says his issues are behind him and there’s no lingering animosity. Well, to that I say – OF COURSE you want to return to the Texans. Who else is going to pay you 10 million dollars for one season of mediocre-at-best play? The things that we thought we could count on Robinson for regardless of his limitations – great run support and emotional on-field leadership – were still there, but it’s not like it used to be.
Obviously a lot of people are dogging on Dunta these days. Once a player becomes a malcontent, he can often do no right, and if he was already only an above-average player, he suddenly becomes terrible. There’s a little bit of that going on with Dunta, but he did regress this year, no doubt.
So now that Dunta has not come close to justifying his franchise salary, I think it’s safe to assume that he’s not going to be a Texan in 2010 unless he’s willing to take a pay cut. Really – why WOULD he take a pay cut? The ONLY reason he would do that would be if he desperately wanted to stay in Houston. There will of course be someone out there who will throw big money at Dunta counting on him improving with a change of scenery.
Rumor had it that Dunta was dying to sign with the Falcons last offseason. He’s from that area, and at the time the Falcons had a need at his position.
My opinion is that even though he went backwards last season, he’s still a serviceable player at his position. But there’s just no way he comes back at anything similar to what he made last year. Not with all the other players this team needs to sign. Dunta will make some good money in the free agent market, and cornerback is one of those positions that no team can have too many of.
Unfortunately though, we won’t know for sure until we know for sure. I’m going to operate under the assumption that Dunta is leaving… but it says here I’ve been wrong before.
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Jan 26, 2010 at 17:47:11
I would be stunned if Dunta Robinson is not a starting CB for the Texans next season. That still doesn’t change the Texans’ need in the secondary. Many teams considered Glover Quin a safety coming out of college (why he made it to the 4th), so I understand why people like Lance Zierlein think he could make that transition. In that case the Texans may go with a press-man CB in the 1st round. Maybe they think Kyle Wilson (Boise St.) or Brandon Ghee (WF) fit the bill. I think those two fit what the Texans want to do with their CB’s, more than say a Patrick Robinson or Trevard Lindley. The latter two are more cover CB’s who struggle against the run. In the AFC South, CB’s have to be able to tackle.
Jan 26, 2010 at 19:51:37
Who would pay a guy that isn’t all that great anymore 10 million dollars?
How about the Oakland A’s when they just signed Ben Sheets.
It’s going to come down late in the offseason again, and the team is going to have to bail themselves out and buy Dunta because they have no one else to turn to. I think you’re right by saying “Let’s get this situated early and before the draft, instead of biting us later”.
I think if Dunta wants to be a Texan, then he can do so on Texan’s Terms.
Jan 26, 2010 at 21:42:36
Time to let go folks
we need to keep the two rookies with reeves and molden and even Bennett. Get one in the draft and maybe a FA. Nate Allen in the second at FS
Trent Williams in the first for G or C. Third round CB. Fourth RB.
Jan 27, 2010 at 08:17:41
@Carson
it doesn’t change their need in the secondary, but it definitely would make it a higher priority if he walks. Do you think he will sign a multi-year deal? I don’t think there’s any way they franchise him again.
Jan 27, 2010 at 13:15:57
It is my firm opinion that we will either resign Dunta or sign a big-name corner in the offseason. Bob McNair will not let a rookie corner be our #1 guy.
That said, I’d REALLY like to see us take a look at Washington’s Carlos Rogers. Footballsfuture.com rates him as the best CB to hit free agency in 2010, and the potential for roster turnover inherent with a guy like Shanahan means Rogers could want to go to a more stable situation.
If we get him, then we have Rogers as a press-corner and we need to compliment him with a run-supporter who can handle the bigger possession receivers on the other side, meaning that we should all be hoping for Wake’s Brandon Ghee. He’s everything we have been wanting from Dunta since they reattached his leg.
If we keep Dunta, we need a corner who can develop into a press-corner, in which case we would look at Devin McCourty or Donovan Warren.
Right now, both safeties and corners are very hard to place. Aside from Joe Haden, Eric Berry, and Earl Thomas, there are no first-round guarantees, and it comes down to A: which teams are willing to gamble based on high-density at the position, and B: what each team is specifically looking for. This mystery will likely lead to us reaching, but I think, if we play the gamble right, we can trade down once or twice (possibly even out of the first round entirely) and score some more Friday picks and still get the guy we want.
Also, if Smithiak is willing to take their chances on trading out of Thursday night, then they can pay for another big name free agent with that money. Just a thought.
Jan 27, 2010 at 15:24:39
It doesn’t matter what happens with Dunta, what we need in the first round is a tight end. Maybe we should take two, just for grins. Talk about leaving ourselves wide open, Daniels, Dreesen, Casey, and Hill,a glaring area of need! What is wrong with Kubes not properly addressing this position? Center, Schmenter, how important is that really? Hike the ball, fall down, yea right, forget that. We need to protect Schaub on the pass and run the ball, therefore, we need a tight end… You can find all my research on this and other topics, by reviewing the last 6 months of Chron.com staff blogs.
Jan 27, 2010 at 16:55:13
@Chris
I think Dunta came a little closer to realizing his true value last season. His open contrition in regards to being “willing” to accept the tag showed that to me. Honestly, I think he’s ready to sign a fair deal now. If not, the Texans have the means to use the extra tag on him with no penalty from a cap. He’s a Gamecock, and so is McNair. He’s also talented, and we aren’t in the position to let talent, any talent, get away. Just my two cents.
Jan 27, 2010 at 20:10:28
I definitely agree with you Chris that there’s no way Dunta gets franchised again. A multiyear offer that would make economic sense to the Texans would be unacceptable to Dunta. His statement (about “settling” for getting franchised again for 2010) right after the Patriots game was insulting to the Texans and any intelligent fan. His play was uninspired for much of this season, and the Texans should make him an offer based upon just that. I see him turning it down and walking. His ego won’t allow him to take a pay cut from Rick, so he will take what he can get from the ATL.
My feelings are bittersweet about him leaving because at the time Mario was drafted, Dunta and DeMeco were the heart and soul of the D. Those days are long gone though, and the events of the past 12 months have shown Dunta to be not only a selfish ass, but an average player at best. The amount it would take to sign him for 2010, would be much better invested on a FA or high round draft pick.
Jan 28, 2010 at 01:05:33
so who’s with me on the Carlos Rogers bandwagon?
Jan 28, 2010 at 01:15:40
@Kyle
I don’t see the point. Rogers isn’t significantly better than Dunta. They’re both just okay. In November, Fred Smoot had replaced Rogers in the starting lineup.
Jan 28, 2010 at 01:52:43
@ Chris,
Dunta Robinson seems to understand the foolishness of the “Pay Me” incident, and gets that being tagged and paid top-5 money isn’t such a bad thing. He’ll be in camp on time this year, and eventually everything will be forgiven.
I don’t want it to sound like I’m giving Robinson a pass on the childishness, but let’s face it; this team is not in any position to let talent walk away. The Texans will have an extra tag (like all teams) if there’s no new CBA. They’re rich, and there will be no cap to work under, so why not tag him for one more year? It’s only money, and the fans have sold-out every game. No excuse for McNair to be cheap.
@ oiler-texan diehard,
I understand why you’re turned off by Dunta, and I wouldn’t even try to change your mind. I would only say this: Why not do both of the things you’re suggesting? Why not spend the money on a FA, a high draft pick, AND Robinson? Tag him for one more year, and don’t let it have any bearing on your other moves. If there’s a cap in 2011, let Robinson walk then. What have you lost? At the very least you’ve insured yourself against injury.
Jan 28, 2010 at 15:02:14
we dont need a tight end. daniels. duh dressen is ok. james casey WILL be a monster. if diles doesnt step up well need a lb. otherwise who knows. if someone doesnt step up as a solid 2 wr we need one too. we need a dt too even though i wonder why okam isnt doing anything. once projected to be a first round pick… not sure why he dropped to five but all in all we need a lot
Jan 28, 2010 at 15:11:50
@ Kyle
I’m with you on the Carlos Rogers bandwagon, I just don’t think we’ll end up getting him. If someone is going to overpay him, someone will overpay him more than we will. While Rogers isn’t great #1, he is certainly better than what we have.
If we don’t sign Rogers, Kyle Wilson and Brandon Ghee would be great pick ups in the 2nd or 3rd. But one guy in particular that is intriguing is Perrish Cox. If we trade back to the late late first or early second, we should jump on him.
Jan 28, 2010 at 20:59:14
Rogers is done. Dunta is better now but screw him too
draft and maybe a miracle with Freddie got fingered
Jan 29, 2010 at 10:59:14
@Cody, sorry I was being facetious. This year I saw O lines move defenses 4 yards down field before the RB got to the hole, but not the Texans O line. And then there was this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiJ9lYyj4uQ
Now Steph Stradley is saying Schaub is one of the QBs who takes the most hits after the pass. I think we need a significant upgrade in the middle of the line.
Jan 29, 2010 at 11:47:18
@1Texan
Mike Iupati is a possibility, because, if (semi-big if) he can prove to be an effective zone blocker despite weighing 320, then, well, HE’S AN EFFECTIVE ZONE BLOCKER WHO WEIGHS 320!
The thing that scares me the most is that one guy whose name I forget (starts with a D; might be Daugherty), works in the Texans scout office and released a short list of players who “impressed the Texans at the Senior Bowl”. On that list…
…Taylor “Shoulder of Doom” Mays. This guy had one of the worst Senior Bowl practice weeks in the field, he has more holes in his game than Tim Tebow (without the intangibles), and…
…well, if the Texans like Mays, then there’s no telling who we would pick.
I will say this, though, in a cornerback field that is knotted together, the frontrunner might be Perrish Cox, just because he’s from Waco.
Jan 29, 2010 at 15:04:02
@kyle, Iupati would be a great pick up if Caldwell moved over to center and was able to hold his own, then we just upgraded the whole offense. I am still not a Studdard fan, so having Brown and Iupati on the left would be awesome in my opinion.
Jan 29, 2010 at 15:24:37
@1Texan
Caldwell will be at right guard, and with Brisel back, it’s not even a lock that he’ll start. It upsets me, but I believe that Kubes will stick to the “awesome” o-line of 2008: Brown, Pitts, Myers, Brisel, and Winston, with the only exception being Chris Kuper, since he’s Dennison’s boy.
It feels like everyone on Earth but Kubes and Pancakes want to see Myers replaced by Caldwell, but, unfortunately, Kubes is the one who makes the call, so we continue to waste an exceptional former first-team All-American by moving him over to accomodate Chris “Baby Seal” Myers.
Jan 29, 2010 at 15:57:46
Baby seal Myers…I like it!
Jan 29, 2010 at 15:59:42
I started calling him that a while back too… but I have what I think is an ever better nickname for him… but it’s really, really mean.
Chris “Closed Casket” Myers.
Jan 29, 2010 at 17:50:25
lol