Signing Robinson priority for Texans

Signing Robinson priority for Texans
February 11
Houston Chronicle columnist John McClain

"If the Texans are unable to re-sign cornerback Dunta Robinson, it will change their philosophy entering the draft.

Rather than pursuing a defensive end who can provide a pass rush opposite Mario Williams with their first-round pick, general manager Rick Smith would have to look for a cornerback to replace Robinson.

Ohio State’s Malcolm Jenkins, the best cornerback in the draft, will be gone before the Texans make a pick. To acquire him would require moving up and sacrificing a valuable draft choice, possibly even a second-round selection.

Although the Indianapolis scouting combine pro days and private workouts remain in the evaluation process, as it stands now, no other cornerback is worth the 15th pick.

That’s why re-signing Robinson is imperative. Robinson, who turns 27 in April, wants to re-sign with the Texans. The Texans want him back.

Robinson and his agent, Jason Chayut, have a figure they believe he’s worth.

The Texans have a figure they believe Robinson is worth.

Smith and Chayut are negotiating on a new deal. Both sides have been tight-lipped about the negotiations.

Big guarantee in offing

Robinson’s contract expires Feb. 27. He’ll be a free agent available to the highest bidder, including the Texans, of course.

The Texans had plenty of salary cap room to sign Robinson before they saved $8.5 million Tuesday when they waived running back Ahman Green and outside linebacker Morlon Greenwood.

It doesn’t take a genius to get an idea of what Robinson wants.

He views himself as an elite cornerback, one who overcame career-threatening injuries last season when the Texans were 1-4 without him and 7-4 with him, including 5-1 down the stretch. And he played at only 80 percent because of the operations on his knee and hamstring.

Benchmarks for Robinson are extensions signed during the season by Carolina’s Chris Gamble and the New York Giants’ Corey Webster. Gamble’s six-year, $53 million extension included $23 million in guaranteed money. Webster’s five-year, $43.5 million extension included $20 million in guarantees.

It stands to reason that Robinson wants guaranteed money in the $20 million to $23 million range.

The only player to receive that kind of guaranteed money from the Texans was Williams.

As the first pick in the 2006 draft, the defensive end signed a six-year, $54 million contract, including $26.5 million guaranteed.

Usually, negotiations heat up after the combine, which ends Feb. 24. Watch a lot of teams work around the clock that week to re-sign their players before they hit the open market."
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