Owen Daniels Escapes Franchise Tag Deadline Untagged; Will He Escape Houston?

by riversmccown on Feb 25, 2011 10:33 AM CST in News

DENVER - DECEMBER 26: Tight end Owen Daniels #81 of the Houston Texans makes a one-handed catch against cornerback Andre' Goodman #21 of the Denver Broncos during the third quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile High on December 26 2010 in Denver Colorado. The Denver Broncos defeated the Houston Texans 24-23. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Right as the NFL Combine was starting, teams were required to submit their franchise tags. The deadline was 4 PM ET, yesterday. The Texans, as you might have noticed by the big gap of nothing in the news yesterday, chose to tag nobody.

Perhaps the most eligible player to be tagged was long-time tight end Owen Daniels, as John Hallam explained on Texans Bull Blog:

The TE franchise tag is a reasonably low number (calculated by the average of the top 5 TE salaries in the NFL). Essentially, the money saved by the Andre Davis and Eugene Wilson would almost cover the TE franchise number. I believe a franchise tag would mean the Texans would pay Owen $7.3 million for 2011. Apparently, the Texans have other plans.

John goes on to reach the same conclusion that I do at this point: Daniels is likely on the outs with the Texans. He brings an element that our other tight ends haven't proven they can reach in the passing game; unfortunately that goes along with his poor blocking, which makes me very sad. But to the extent that the Texans are spending money on established players this year, look for it to be defense, defense, defense. And defense. Not tight ends who can't stay healthy.

All that said, say there is a free agency next season. Say the Texans were to come to an agreement with Daniels on his salary for next season. I know, I know, it feels like a strange idea at this point considering all the other tight ends on the roster. Follow me here, though. How much would you feel comfortable paying Daniels for next season as he attempts to prove that he's healthy? My answer behind the jump.

I have nothing against Daniels the player. He's put in a ton of work for this team and has sacrificed his body for it. The organization probably owes him a lot more money than it ever wound up paying him due to the NFL's draconian salary system.

I would not want Daniels back this season without a massive paycut. I'd want him to take either the veteran minimum or close to it. A healthy Daniels is probably a better receiver than either James Casey or Joel Dreessen at this point, but he hasn't been able to get through a season in full health for quite awhile now. Additionally, as I brought up above, he's just a terrible blocker. He's always been an awful blocker. Putting him on the field, with his receiving skills, would be a boon if he could block at even a league-average level, but he can't do that at this point. If it's not a situation that dictates you're going to pass the ball 80% of the time or so, I'd much rather have Casey or Dreessen out there at this point, and I'm not sure Casey is much of a downgrade from Daniels in the passing game either.

Given that we have two quality tight ends backing him up, and are sure to draft (TE joke deleted at the behest of DilloTex), I'm pretty comfortable with letting the leverage take it's course here. Of course, as John said, I do wish Daniels the best as long as he's out of our division. I just don't think it makes economic sense to bring him back unless he comes at a bargain.

Poll

What is the most you'd be willing to pay Owen Daniels to play for your Houston Texans next season if you were GM/Head Coach/Whoever makes the decisions for this team?

Minimum - $2,000,000

83 votes

$2,000,001 - $4,000,000

240 votes

$4,000,001 - $6,000,000

213 votes

$6,000,001 - $8,000,000

46 votes

$8,000,001 +

14 votes

596 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 28 comments | 1 recs |

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Comments

A one year deal

would make sense. So i dunno if thats actually on the table.

by Ivan A on Feb 25, 2011 10:57 AM CST reply actions

the colts are going to pick him up and he and clark are going to kill us and everyone.

Don't ask me! Ask Google, you dumb Yahoo!

by Andre4000 on Feb 25, 2011 11:03 AM CST reply actions

That's one of the last teams I'd expect to pick him up.

The Colts almost always go with blocking specialists behind Clark.

- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter | SB Nation Houston | Battle Red Blog

by riversmccown on Feb 25, 2011 11:13 AM CST up reply actions

I think league minimum is a little harsh

I do agree that the Texans are probably wise not to meet any kind of top 5 at his position kind of salary demands. I would like to have him around just because of the comfort level Schaub has with him. Dreesen has shown that he can be effective in the passing game, but he’s more of a tool than a weapon. With Casey and Graham on the roster it doesn’t make sense to pay a high price for Daniels. If the injury history and blocking deficiencies cause his price to drop relative to what he is probably looking for he could end up back here.

I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that he’s gone though. I suspect this is a case of the Texans telling him to see what’s out there and if we can match it we will(think what happened with Leigh Bodden or Pace) . At least that’s how it should be if the are smart. If all Owen can get is a few million a year then we match that and bring him back with no hard feelings. If he gets a huge offer we say are goodbyes.

"Well, at least our players kept their helmets on, so that showed some intelligence"-Bob McNair

by papabear on Feb 25, 2011 11:12 AM CST reply actions

Only two votes on the minimum to $2mil?

After I voted for it. Like what papbear said, veteran minimum is probably a little harsh. I’d go with the $2mil, one year deal. Let him prove to the texans that he can stay healthy, and if he does, reward him with a multi-year deal.

But even then, im still a little iffy about it. How old is Daniels? Gotta be a couple years close to 30. Why not just take a pass on him and develop Casey, who is a better blocker and a potential receiving threat?

"KUBIAK FUCKING SUCKS. BOB MCNAIR SUCKS. THE TEXANS SUCKS.

-90% of the Texans blogosphere-

by Jordann on Feb 25, 2011 11:26 AM CST reply actions

Correct

According to NFL.com he’s 28

I'm a man!! I'm forty!!

by Hydroshock on Feb 25, 2011 12:14 PM CST up reply actions

Time for the James Casey era, hopefully.

And why was Daniels’ blocking mentioned in the OP? He’s probably the worst blocker we have at TE.

by krkenney on Feb 25, 2011 11:38 AM CST reply actions

To mention that it was terrible?

- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter | SB Nation Houston | Battle Red Blog

by riversmccown on Feb 25, 2011 11:42 AM CST up reply actions

I misread the OP. My mistake.

by krkenney on Feb 25, 2011 1:13 PM CST up reply actions

I wish him the best...

But I wouldn’t tie up a penny of the salary cap on him. Like RB, TE is a product of the system in Kubiak’s offense. Dreessen is a good all-around player, Casey has potential in the receiving game, and Garrett Graham has drawn comparisons as a more well-rounded version of OD.

He was a great tool when we had Schaub dropping back 45 times a game, but with a running game, his value is diminished. I’d like to see more Dreessen, Graham, and whoever the hell that run-blocking TE we drafted a couple years ago was.

by Nashmeister on Feb 25, 2011 11:49 AM CST reply actions

due to ^^what you say above

The Texans have the leverage with OD in any negotiations. However, you don’t want to let him go without any compensation. I suppose a compensatory draft pick is compensation. So, I could see the Texans coming in with a lowball offer and as a result, I can see OD pursuing free agency and taking another team’s offer. Right now, I would give that. Scenario the lowest odds.

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

by Rip Jersey on Feb 25, 2011 12:37 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I'd want him back...

and I think he could come back if some team didn’t overpay (I get a feeling that Carolina may take a run since Rivera A) likes TEs and B) doesn’t have any decent ones). However, if not then we can replace him with Wisconsin TE Lance Kendricks….we love our Wisconsin TEs.

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Feb 25, 2011 1:13 PM CST reply actions

We can replace him

But letting him go wouldn’t make me sparkle. I hope they let him test the market to find out value, but make sure he knows we’re willing to do a deal to keep him in Houston if that is what he wants.

A Texas Wannabe, born and raised in New Zealand. Currently located 7343miles South west of Houston.

by distant_texans_fan on Feb 25, 2011 1:47 PM CST up reply actions

Yup, it won't make me shiny either...

He’s been a good set of hands for us. But Dreesssssen and Casey showed enough good stuff last year to make me more accepting of the situation if he does have to move on.

"In conclusion, I’d like to say that Dicky Justice is an assclown."
"...your in-house hirings on the defensive side suck donkey balls..."
- tehGrindCrusher

by DilloTex on Feb 25, 2011 2:32 PM CST up reply actions

Rec'd for being a gentleman and a scholar regarding the almost obligatory tight-end joke...

I salute you sir…

"In conclusion, I’d like to say that Dicky Justice is an assclown."
"...your in-house hirings on the defensive side suck donkey balls..."
- tehGrindCrusher

by DilloTex on Feb 25, 2011 2:29 PM CST reply actions

I hope we can keep him

I agree he is not a good blocker at all. But his reputation as a guy who gets open and can catch darn near anything thrown his way makes him valuable to both the running and passing games. I do agree that we can live without him, but I think his threat gives us a boost and is easily worth 5 mil a year. I’d love to see a 4 year deal around 22-25 million.

by SubCrim on Feb 25, 2011 2:52 PM CST reply actions

I am glad we did not Franchise him

Sure, I would like to see him do well for the Texans again, but I want more Thor!

I am totally optimistic about the Texans new season - at least until the first of the 4 or 2 (if any) preseason games

by Barryfromtexas on Feb 25, 2011 6:19 PM CST reply actions

Same here

More Thor

I'm a man!! I'm forty!!

by Hydroshock on Feb 25, 2011 6:30 PM CST up reply actions

I like this.

I do want to see more Thor, but wouldn’t mind seeing OD in a Texans uniform as long as hes cheap and has some positive impact.

and the clouds opened up and God said "I Hate you Texans Fans."

by Joe25 on Feb 25, 2011 9:05 PM CST up reply actions

He still pretty valuable.

He’s basically our number two WR.Without him the passing offense isn’t quite as explosive. I’m still waiting for one of our other TE’s to step up to fill that role completely.I’d hate to see him go because it makes me nervous about the explosion in the passing game.Yeah he’s not a great blocker but he’s a better receiving option than Jacoby Jones or even Walter.

by Ethan Matz on Feb 26, 2011 1:08 AM CST reply actions

Well it's not like we're short on TE's

So I don’t expect him to stay. Pretty sure Dreessen can and will do well next season

by LordGav1n on Feb 26, 2011 9:05 AM CST reply actions

Should we also consider that perhaps not tagging Daniels...

… was a concession we agreed to make in negotiating with him so that he’d be more likely to sign long-term here?

by krkenney on Feb 26, 2011 11:25 AM CST reply actions

Interesting question. They could still negotiate if he was tagged and the tag gets torn up if they sign him. But, without talking to the FO, I would say that it was purely a business move not to tag him.

I think the statement the FO may have been making to OD is that he isn’t worth top money right now and they have the leverage, as Rivers so eloquently stated above, on both points. So, this season, no top money, but they can still negotiate. OD has a choice as a result. He can go out and seek a deal with another team. He can also keep negotiating with the Texans. We joke about the Texans abundance of TEs, but this is a spot where that abundance can pay off. I think I see many commentators saying that it isn’t the end of the world if OD leaves. Yeh, we’ll miss him. He’s been very productive when healthy. I think during his comeback season last year, he wasn’t the old OD we came to count on. This situation all seems to be evolving about the way we might expect.

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

by Rip Jersey on Feb 26, 2011 12:28 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

When all is said and done we don't know if Thor or Graham can be as good a weapon as OD is/has been

The chemistry between Schaub and OD and ODs clutch ability makes him worth a heck more than average league TE salary. Sure we have some talent at TE, but none proven, unless you count in Dreesen. Losing OD is not as disastrous as losing the Leach (FB: League best >< vacuum), but if he is gone next season we need someone to step up in the passing game. I hope Thor, Graham or perhaps Dickerson is up for the task, but there is no way to know it. With a healthy OD we know, that we have one of the league’s finest pass-catching TE’s.

by BrotherSalsa on Feb 26, 2011 5:04 PM CST reply actions