In what appears to be a complete 180 from what he said earlier this week, John McClain is now reporting that Dunta Robinson could in fact get the franchise tag if a long-term deal is not reached within the next few hours. The deadline to franchise players is 3 p.m. today. If Dunta is tagged, he'd be on the books for nearly $10,000,000.00 in 2009. Of course, the Texans could continue negotiations on a long-term deal with his agent after tagging him, so that figure could conceivably change; the tag simply ensures that Dunta won't be playing for anyone else next year.
As I've noted repeatedly, I can't imagine the Texans not tagging Dunta. The question is whether they stick with the tag or whether they give him the long-term deal and boatload of guaranteed money he wants. If I had to guess, I'd bet a multi-year deal is eventually reached. The poll below, however, wants to know what you think the Texans should do. Franchise him and make him show he's the stud he was pre-injury before you saddle the team with a huge financial commitment? Or bet that Dunta's almost completely back and reward him with the big deal he wants?
What would you do if you were Rick Smith?