Will Texans' franchise tag on Dunta Robinson be costly?
The Houston Texans were one of fourteen teams to use the franchise tag this year by slapping the franchise designation on CB Dunta Robinson. However, Robinson feels more like he was slapped in the face.
According to Robinson, he says GM Rick Smith told him they wouldn't use the franchise tag on him. But they obviously did.
However, Lance Zierlein of the Houston Chronicle argues that Smith's blunder could cost the team if they want to sign him to a long-term deal since Robinson feels like he's been disrespected. And Zierlein argues that if they don't pay him, Robinson could hold out and be a locker room distraction.
Robinson has only played 20 games in the past 2 seasons. He has 13 career interceptions, 6 of which came in his rookie season (2004), when he was selected 10th overall by the Houston Texans.
According to Robinson, he says GM Rick Smith told him they wouldn't use the franchise tag on him. But they obviously did.
...when they [Dunta and his agent] elected to exercise their right in declining our offer to make him one of the highest-paid corners in football, we exercised our option to tag him. It's part of the deal."If he accepts the tender offer, he would earn a guaranteed salary in 2009 of $9.957 million, which is the average of the top 5 highest-paid CBs in the league.
"He's upset about it," Smith said. "I understand it. It was a decision we felt like was best for our organization and our philosophy."
However, Lance Zierlein of the Houston Chronicle argues that Smith's blunder could cost the team if they want to sign him to a long-term deal since Robinson feels like he's been disrespected. And Zierlein argues that if they don't pay him, Robinson could hold out and be a locker room distraction.
Robinson has only played 20 games in the past 2 seasons. He has 13 career interceptions, 6 of which came in his rookie season (2004), when he was selected 10th overall by the Houston Texans.
