Ryans and Drob Skipping Workouts

[popanot]

It doesn't surprise me DRob is boycotting, but I'm a little surprised Ryans has decided to go this route. It doesn't seem to be in his nature to do that sort of thing. I understand he's upset and don't really blame him. I probably would be too if I was in his situation. However, the Texans have been burned in the past giving a young player big money based on production and before their first contract expires, so I understand why they may be a little reluctant to re-do these contracts now. Anyone remember Domanick Davis-Williams?

That late surge to end the 2008 season served only to increase expectations for 2009 in Houston, placing coach Gary Kubiak and G.M. Rick Smith in danger of adding “former” to their titles if the Texans don’t make it to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

And to the extent that organized offseason weightlifting sessions have an impact on a team’s fortunes several months later, Kubiak and Smith might be feeling a little more heat given the news that cornerback Dunta Robinson and linebacker DeMeco Ryans won’t be in attendance when the offseason program launches on Monday.

“I’ve talked to both of them,” coach Gary Kubiak told John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. “I understand the issue. The offseason program is voluntary. I’d love to have them here. Their teammates would love to have them here. We’ll work through it.”

Ryans is under contract for 2009; Robinson isn’t. The five-year veteran cornerback is the team’s franchise player for 2009, but until he signs the tender he is not obligated to attend any offseason or preseason or in-season activities. Instead, Robinson remains a free agent, and as many franchise players have done in the past he can skip all of the offseason workouts, all of training camp, and all of the preseason, and then he can sign his franchise tender on the eve of the regular-season opener and earn the full amount of his $9.957 million salary.

For Ryans, who wants a new contract, any failure to participate in mandatory offseason activities or training camp could trigger a daily five-figure fine and, possibly, an attempt to recover a portion of his 2006 signing bonus.

“I’m counting on those two players to help us win,” Kubiak said. “They’ve told me I can count on them, but as far as when, we’ll see how that works out. Hopefully, it’ll be sooner [than] later.”

http://www.profootballtalk.com/category/rumor-mill/

[Nconroe]

kinda sad, all this greed. oh well. I think they should show up and be part of the team and let the team see them perform if they think they are worth more than they currently get or longer term guarantees. I think it is not the way to stay a fan favorite or a team leader which they were.

[John S]

They should show up and be part of the team. I think the Texans need to make signing Ryans and OD long term a top priority. Now that most of the pro days are over they should get this done before the draft. I would take the wait and see approach to DRob. If he produces on the field I would try to lock him up during the season.

[papabear]

I'm not surprised and I sort of expected this. My only real concern is that Demeco is there early enough to get on the same page with Bush so that he is prepared for all the changes on the defense. He's the QB for the defense and needs to be prepared. The best thing I read in the article was that Kubiak has spoken to both of them and they told the coach they could count on them.

I've got a little more patience with Demeco than Dunta right now. Dunta got a decent deal as a rookie, and turned down what was apparently a pretty good one before he was tagged. I understand the injury risk the players go through, and Dunta is very aware of that risk now...so I can see wanting to get as much as you can while you still can. He still turned down good deal though. Either way skipping some workouts is the only tool he has, so it's no surprise he's using it.

With Demeco, he's been vastly underpaid relative to other players of his caliber. I don't remember what kind of numbers the Texans threw at him, but this is his first big contract. Not saying that he's been living off Ramen noodles the last few years, but again this is the only tool he has to use so I'm not going to blame him for using it.

I just hope it doesn't hurt the team.

[Mike]

This was going to happen to us eventually. Before, we had players who sucked, now we actually have talent. Congrats, we have made it to the big leagues with unhappy players and holdouts.

I hope that Rick Smith can give these guys the attention and negotiate fair contracts for both players after the draft.

[painekiller]

Come on now, this is the business side of the game. Right now they are only doing workouts to "get into shape". And both guys are known for their hard work and all.

I was actually happy Duanta is not here, he is at a speed camp, good. He needs to be able to work on regaining the quickness he lost. This will only help.

BTW when will a team get smart and hire a speed guy to work out with it's players.

And I heard a radio interview with one of the OL guys from somewhere, and the big guys are coming up with a camp for them to get work on drills especially for them.

Lastly, this is all Negotiation 101, is wait the other guy out. And going public is the a way for the players to pressure the management.

Right now Rick Smith is doing OK, Duanta turned down a very nice deal and his leverage was taken away, now he is pissed. Oh well. Should have signed that huge deal when it was offered. What if the team drafts a younger version, bye bye leverage.

Ryan's is due, and IMO gets a big deal before the start of the season. Right now the GM is working on the draft, then it's filling out a roster, then and only then will he have time to work on these deals.

[Arky]

The Chronic had this in the morning paper:

Full article.

[Bigtinylittle]

I really don't care for negotiations drama. I always press my ignore button and wait for the final outcome. Agents lie and posture about as much as politicans do, and they instruct their clients to do the same.

By the way, I ignore politicians too. I don't think I've listened to more than a couple of political speeches in the last twenty years. And I don't think I've missed a thing.