Dunta watch: Expect more franchise tags on NFL players this week

February 9, 7:11 AMHouston Texans ExaminerAlan Burge

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With the Pro Bowl behind us (congrats to Owen Daniels for a fine game by the way) we can now turn our attention back to the franchise tagging process.

We're in Day 5 of the 15 day period that NFL teams can apply the franchise tag on players who are about to become unrestricted free agents.  The non-exclusive franchise tag guarantees the player for one season, the average of the top five 2008 salaries (acually cap values) of players at his position.

Texans fans have heard little recently about negotiations with Dunta Robinson (it's pronounced DON-tay for the out-of-towners).

That could mean they're tirelessly working a deal and are close to announcing a long term extension before the 19th - or it could mean they are miles apart and nothing is moving, which could mean a franchise tag is in Dunta's future.

The Patriots moved out quickly and franchised quarterback Matt Cassel last Thursday with a whopping $14.65 million tender offer which becomes guaranteed once he signs.

Alex Marvez of foxsports.com listed some of the Pro Bowl Players that are possibly facing franchise tags in the next week or so.

As far as Dunta, we've covered this before (links below) but if I had to guess what's been going on, and what will happen sometime in the next 11 days this is it:

• Dunta and his agent want something close to Chris Gamble money, which was $23 million guaranteed.
• The Texans have an offer on the table between $17 and $20 million guaranteed.
• Dunta and his agent will not accept the Texans offer
• The Texans will use the non-exclusive franchise tag on Dunta which will guarantee him $9.96 million for one season, if he signs the tender

I can't see the Texans letting Dunta walk without any compensation.  That's why the tag is the only option if they remain far apart in their negotiations next Thursday.  Without a tag, the Texans lose what leverage they have with the player after the 19th.

The franchise tag will make Dunta unhappy in the context that he's not getting the long term guarantee (or the money) that he wants, but it will protect the Texans by giving them first right of refusal on offers made by other teams, allow them to continue to negotiate a long term deal with Robinson, and keep potential suitors away from Dunta because of the compensation involved (two first round draft picks).

The Texans have never tagged a player before but if it ever made sense to use the tag on a player, this is the one.  The tag pays Robinson handsomely for one season - although it's less than half of what he most likely wants.  But it gives the Texans another year to see how Dunta performs on his surgically repaired knee that still felt 'funny' at times (Dunta's words) after he returned to action last season.

I would expect to start seeing news of more franchise tenders being offered to players this week. 

Stay tuned

For related information, you may also want to read

1.  "Franchise tag on Dunta Robinson will cost Texans $9.96 million"
2. "Texans should proceed with caution in free agency," ,
3.  "Dunta watch," - at the end of the linked article,
4. "Chronicle piece on Dunta Robinson ignores key facts on Texans options"