Franchise tag on Dunta Robinson will cost Texans $9.96 million

Robinson at training camp '08 (Houston Chronicle)

Franchise and transition tag values were released this week and for cornerbacks - meaning Dunta Robinson - the tag number is $9.96 million.

This is right in the ballpark of what we figured based on tag amounts for past years.

The Texans have said they are talking with Dunta but there's been no indication that they're anywhere close to reaching a long term deal suitable to both parties.

The window for teams to apply franchise tags to unrestricted free agents is February 5-19, so we will definitely learn more over the next two weeks on the Texans plans for Dunta.

If the Texans apply the franchise tag on Dunta, they can still negotiate a long term deal. 

If they don't apply the tag, it means one of two things; 1) they are very close to a deal, or 2) they are going to let him test the market which will cost the Texans leverage and put them in the position of a 'bidding war' with other teams and the risk of losing Dunta without compensation.

Players don't like the franchise tag but it offers the team protection, in the form of draft compensation if the player decides to accept an offer with another team. 

A key aspect of the non-exclusive franchise tag (which would likely be the one applied in Dunta's case) is that the Texans would have the right of first refusal on any offers Dunta receives from other teams.  If the Texans choose not to match, they would be entitled to receive two first-round draft choices as compensation. 

Needless to say, that doesn't happen very often so the non-exclusive tag is usually a pretty secure move - and why non-exclusive franchise tags are more common than exclusive tags which prohibit unrestricted free agents from negotiating with any other team.

Robinson's contract expires on February 26. 

There's much more to come.  Let's see what happens on February 5, if anything.  I'm guessing he'll be tagged.  It's a lot of money, but only half of what a new deal would cost - in terms of what's guaranteed. 

By tagging Robinson, the Texans would then have another year to see if his knee has fully healed.  If it has, Robinson will have another chance next year to add to his $10 million windfall in '09.

For related information, you may also want to read

1.  "Texans should proceed with caution in free agency," ,
2.  "Dunta watch," - at the end of the linked article,
3. "Chronicle piece on Dunta Robinson ignores key facts on Texans options"