Owen Daniels Contract Negotiations

[Keith]

And if Daniels doesn’t accept his one-year, $2.792 million offer by June 15, things could get interesting.

After that date, the Texans acquire the option to reduce the tender to the greater of the minimum salary for a player of Daniels’ experience level or 110 percent of his 2008 pay.

Since he made $451,000 in 2008, the Texans would able to reduce the tender to the three-year veteran minimum of $520,000. ...

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/...tract-chicken/

[papabear]

Originally Posted by Keith

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/...tract-chicken/

Saw that...my question is, knowing this why wouldn't OD sign the offer before that date? Does he lose the ability to negotiate a long term deal once he signs the tender? I just don't see any reason why he wouldn't sign it knowing it could cost him 2+ million. I don't know if the Texans would take advantage of the option to reduce the tender, but there's no business reason not to other than hurting OD's feelings. I'm sure Owen recognizes, or at least hope he does, the business aspects of it.

[Nconroe]

I hope they work it out to satisfaction of both sides. no holdouts please. Does seem OD has earned a raise to atleast get into top 15 if not top 10 TE salaries sometime soon.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by papabear

Saw that...my question is, knowing this why wouldn't OD sign the offer before that date? Does he lose the ability to negotiate a long term deal once he signs the tender? I just don't see any reason why he wouldn't sign it knowing it could cost him 2+ million. I don't know if the Texans would take advantage of the option to reduce the tender, but there's no business reason not to other than hurting OD's feelings. I'm sure Owen recognizes, or at least hope he does, the business aspects of it.

I'm guessing he recognizes it. I'm going to also guess that there's some amount of good faith negotiating going on behind the scences (gaspshock! might our local media be missing the scent of this story?? egads! )

Daniels has been in attendance through OTAs from all I can infer. And afaik, there is no reason why he couldn't still try to negotiate a long-term deal after signing the tender.

[nunusguy]

Texans tight end Owen Daniels has become the second player to skip organized team activities this offseason because of a contract dispute with the franchise's front office.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6466951.html

[Keith]

Yeah, yeah. The Texans should be counting their lucky stars OD showed up at all without a contract.

Fans have been kinda harsh on Dunta's situation when I'm not really sure I believe all that's been reported contractually in the first place. Now Owen's out, and until I know more about what the Texans REALLY have and have not offered, I refuse to get upset at either Dunta or Owen.

Don't fault the player in either case here. Fault the system if anything. And don't forget your healthy sense of skepticism on anything you read about these things in the media.

[Nconroe]

Yes, its the long offseason so we have to talk about something. From what I've heard, I think the offer to OD is low so far. Maybe been to harsh on the guys skipping OTA, but they do make a lot of money for a game, so hard to feel to sorry for these guys.

[Keith]

Yeah, you either feel sorry for the millionaire players or the billionaire ownership... so I don't feel sorry for either.

I will say though that players have a VERY small window in which to make the big buxxx, and Daniels has just entered that window (as has Robinson). I think that's why the longer I've been at this, the more I tend to at least sympathize with the player's "plight" over the team's/ownership's. The fan in us wants everyone on the field, but this is business, and I doubt most of us regular joe's would risk life and limb for our jobs without vying for the best compensation we could, especially if our window to get PAID was anywhere near as small as it is for an NFL player.

[Keith]

Daniels skipped out on the first day of the mandatory mini-camp.

Daniels is in line for a fine of almost $10,000 for missing the mandatory session while under contract. A player cannot be fined further than that for missing additional days and it's unclear if Daniels intends to skip all three days.

"We're happy that he elected to come in and sign his tender and be a part of the football team again; a little disappointed that he's not here today," general manager Rick Smith said.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/s...e=NFLHeadlines

Not surprised he isn't there, at least not until a new contract is signed.