Dunta

first thread, yep, texans veteren here, when dunta come back
will he be fast enough. I know he wont be the 4.35 guy we drafted
but his skill level is so high. basically will he be alright? still our BEST corner?

I don't think that he will be quite the same guy.

I've been of the opinion that by the time he gets back that Bennett and Molden will have locked down the two starting spots and that Dunta will be a great nickel corner.

I'm probably in the minority here, but that is where I am thinking at the moment.

Oh yeah, welcome aboard.

kiwitexansfan said:

I don't think that he will be quite the same guy.

I've been of the opinion that by the time he gets back that Bennett and Molden will have locked down the two starting spots and that Dunta will be a great nickel corner.

I'm probably in the minority here, but that is where I am thinking at the moment.

Oh yeah, welcome aboard.

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ewwwm i just cant see dunta settling for a 3rd spot. he is so darn good.
i just hope he gets his quickness back. he s been running in otas, but the knee prob may affect his cuts. grrr such a humble guy with top 5 talent having an injury, its ok, look at anquan boldin i think he has has 2 acl's frank
gore had 2 acls.they doin good. lets hope he comes back 100%

What're the odds that the team would have 2 young rising stars at key positions with their careers possibly seriously altered because a teammate ran into the back of their leg? I hope he can come back at the same level. The secondary needs him back there.

I have always heard that coming back from an ACL you aren't even back to normal the first year. So, we won't really know until the '09 season how close he will be to his former self. If anyone can make it back though, it's Dunta, he's the man. Hopefully, he gets to contribute this year and sees the field the last part of the season.

If he can't come back and be effective enough as a starting CB, I would imagine they would try him at free safety. With his penchant for hitting, I think it would be a smooth transition.

Hardcore Texan said:

I have always heard that coming back from an ACL you aren't even back to normal the first year. So, we won't really know until the '09 season how close he will be to his former self. If anyone can make it back though, it's Dunta, he's the man. Hopefully, he gets to contribute this year and sees the field the last part of the season.

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Other than post-operative infections, ACL reconstructions are pretty safe and players regularly get back to 100%... The issue this season once he's back on the field will be a mental one. Also, there may be pain and swelling that has to be managed. That being said, it shouldn't affect his top end speed nor his ability to cut and accelerate once it's healthy.

I expect him to be a little shaky at first, but I think since he's still young he'll eventually return close to his physical form...

The guy can still get better as far as learning the game...Just because he has a physical set-back doesn't mean he has to lose his will power or his knowledge of the game...

If, and when he's brought up to the active roster, I suspect he'll be eased back into the position. They'll probably give him a few spot plays to start with, then move him into the Dime, then to Nickel and then back to his original position by the end of the season or the beginning of next season. At least that is the way I'd bring him back up to speed.

IIRC, players that are thrown back to the wolves are usually a bit sluggish. McNabb, Palmer, McGahee, Javon Walker, etc.

My .02

After an injury of that magnitude, he will never regain the same natural speed he had, however...

His strength will become a weakness and his weakness will become his strength. Watch how good he gets at jamming at the line.

I also think that Dunta will return pretty close to his full form and just think of the second dary that the Texans are going to have.

dalemurphy said:

Other than post-operative infections, ACL reconstructions are pretty safe and players regularly get back to 100%... The issue this season once he's back on the field will be a mental one. Also, there may be pain and swelling that has to be managed. That being said, it shouldn't affect his top end speed nor his ability to cut and accelerate once it's healthy.

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Well, just going by what I have always heard, the first year back from the ACL the player is still not quite a 100%. Not sure how true that is, sound logical. I realize it is a safe procedure and all, but given the extent of Dunta's injury and projected timeline for return I am sure they want to be careful easing him back into the rotation. Just managing my expectations for '08.

All I know is this: The ROAR of the crowd, when Dunta gets introduced for the first time, is going to be deafening. It will be a spine-tingling, amazing moment because in all kindness to the other Texans players...Dunta is THE heart and soul of this team.

He's like the Craig Biggio of the Texans: Relentless, scrappy, and good character. And...he has serious skills. Complete package. The Texans are fortunate to have kept him on roster this long--Because he could easily have cashed in on free agency prior to the injury.

His return to the field, even if it's nickel duty or something small for the moment, will be THE moment I am most looking forward to this season.

dalemurphy said:

Other than post-operative infections, ACL reconstructions are pretty safe and players regularly get back to 100%... The issue this season once he's back on the field will be a mental one. Also, there may be pain and swelling that has to be managed. That being said, it shouldn't affect his top end speed nor his ability to cut and accelerate once it's healthy.

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Dunta injured his ACL and his hamstring. I thought I'd heard that his hamstring injury was the really nasty one.

The Pencil Neck said:

Dunta injured his ACL and his hamstring. I thought I'd heard that his hamstring injury was the really nasty one.

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Yes, his hammy was torn directly off the bone. I have no clue how they re-attach a tendon/muscle to a bone. It's amazing how far medical technology has come.

GP said:

All I know is this: The ROAR of the crowd, when Dunta gets introduced for the first time, is going to be deafening. It will be a spine-tingling, amazing moment because in all kindness to the other Texans players...Dunta is THE heart and soul of this team.

He's like the Craig Biggio of the Texans: Relentless, scrappy, and good character. And...he has serious skills. Complete package. The Texans are fortunate to have kept him on roster this long--Because he could easily have cashed in on free agency prior to the injury.

His return to the field, even if it's nickel duty or something small for the moment, will be THE moment I am most looking forward to this season.

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Considering that this is his contract year from his rookie deal that's why he didn't cash in on FA.

I think Dunta is a guy that is going to be part of the core of this defense and we do need him back. Considering what we did in the draft this year and last and picking up Reeves there isn't as much a rush, IMO,to get him back ASAP. His injury really came at a bad time and I think there is going to have to be some compromise on both sides getting him signed long term after this year.

Well it should be interesting with it being Dunta's contract year.

When he does come back (mid-season?), he's not going to be pegged the #1 CB right off the bat. I know we all love Dunta, for good reason, but the bottom line is he's going to have to be one of the two best CB's to get the starting position. Can he earn that spot? I'd say sure, there's a great chance... but he's working from the other end this time.

He's going to have to show he's healthy enough and up to GAME speed to see the field. Until then, I think Kubiak takes it easy with him. It will be interesting seeing the competition between Bennett, Reeves, and Molden for those starting roles.

I hate to sound so pessimistic but I'm not as ready deem Dunta the starter when he comes back. He's been a great Texan and hope he continues to be, but I'm not putting him out there so soon if others are playing better. Maybe they do look at him at safety, but I really don't like that idea at all. I'm more inclined to keep him as a solid CB than take the risk of having a 180lb safety back there especially in the "who knows what safety scheme we run" From the looks of it we like the bigger safeties, not the small ball hawks.

At the end of the day, Dunta is probably the fiercest competitor on our team. I think he makes a statement when he gets back on the field to let everyone know that he's the best.

I think Dunta will end up moving to Free Safety. I asked McClain if he thought that he would move, last year when they announced the severity of the injury.

I can't remember what he said. I really hope I'm wrong, because I have as much respect for Dunta as I did Aaron Glenn. The guy brings it every play and he lets his play do the talking. He didn't deserve this!!!!

yes i am a homer, but i think dunta will ALWAYS be our best corner.
mentally and physically he got it.....me seing him run...at this stage...
makes me happy. he is doin great. just hope he can cut

read ota i think and dunta was sayin its too abusive
as a safety for his size. he wants to be a corner. i
aint got no rep but if you need a link holla

TexanBacker93 said:

What're the odds that the team would have 2 young rising stars at key positions with their careers possibly seriously altered because a teammate ran into the back of their leg? I hope he can come back at the same level. The secondary needs him back there.

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ain't that the truth, i hope he plays this year and shows enough promise to resign him, if andre johnson is the best WR no one talk's about than dunta was the best CB

Big Lou said:

He didn't deserve this!!!!

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Nobody deserves to have their football career ended by an injury. Tony Boselli didn't deserve it. Domanick Davis didn't deserve it. Charles Spencer didn't deserve it.

But I think some need to swallow hard, and accept the very likely prospect that Dunta will join this group. All you need to do, is go back and objectively look at how serious his injury was. He will be on IR the first 10 weeks of the season. He'll be "evaluated" and then placed on IR the rest of the season. We will read all these "feel good" stories about how hard he's working it in rehab, along with the "minor setbacks" in rehab.

But, in the end, we'll hear about the Texans oraganization being faced with another one of those "very tough decisions".

Marcus said:

Nobody deserves to have their football career ended by an injury. Tony Boselli didn't deserve it. Domanick Davis didn't deserve it. Charles Spencer didn't deserve it.

But I think some need to swallow hard, and accept the very likely prospect that Dunta will join this group. All you need to do, is go back and objectively look at how serious his injury was. He will be on IR the first 10 weeks of the season. He'll be "evaluated" and then placed on IR the rest of the season. We will read all these "feel good" stories about how hard he's working it in rehab, along with the "minor setbacks" in rehab.

But, in the end, we'll hear about the Texans oraganization being faced with another one of those "very tough decisions".

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you just had to be HONEST, agree, but hope for the best

Marcus said:

Nobody deserves to have their football career ended by an injury. Tony Boselli didn't deserve it. Domanick Davis didn't deserve it. Charles Spencer didn't deserve it.

But I think some need to swallow hard, and accept the very likely prospect that Dunta will join this group. All you need to do, is go back and objectively look at how serious his injury was. He will be on IR the first 10 weeks of the season. He'll be "evaluated" and then placed on IR the rest of the season. We will read all these "feel good" stories about how hard he's working it in rehab, along with the "minor setbacks" in rehab.

But, in the end, we'll hear about the Texans oraganization being faced with another one of those "very tough decisions".

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At least your optimistic about it.

Always with the negative vibes, Moriarty!

Marcus said:

Nobody deserves to have their football career ended by an injury. Tony Boselli didn't deserve it. Domanick Davis didn't deserve it. Charles Spencer didn't deserve it.

But I think some need to swallow hard, and accept the very likely prospect that Dunta will join this group. All you need to do, is go back and objectively look at how serious his injury was. He will be on IR the first 10 weeks of the season. He'll be "evaluated" and then placed on IR the rest of the season. We will read all these "feel good" stories about how hard he's working it in rehab, along with the "minor setbacks" in rehab.

But, in the end, we'll hear about the Texans oraganization being faced with another one of those "very tough decisions".

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whatever, you just have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from Boselli, Davis and now Spencer.

The dude is running and it's only been a few months. He'll be back, not 100% but he'll be back.

Here's a "positive" twist... at least this is his contract year and so we may be able to keep him and pay him really well but perhaps not as much as we would have if he had continued on his pro bowl caliber season he was having prior to the injury. maybe we lock him up for a long time and pay him really well but save a few pennies for when we have to up Williams and Ryans in a few years!

I don't know why everyone is calling for him to be an All-Pro when he has never once in his career earned that title. I'm not talking just the title of it, he simply isn't good enough to warant the hype yall give him. I've been saying this since about midway through his sophomore year, after our only true #1 CB in team history left, but he just isn't a #1 CB in the NFL. He is passionate and knows how to make the fundamental tackles. I love that he throws his body around. However, he just isn't that good at too many thinsg to call him great. He is horrible at jamming recievers, and a lot of that has to do with size and scheme, but when he tries, it's not pretty. He also has a problem coming out of his back pedal. He gives too much cushion, and is caught on his heels if the play is in front of him - it's why he gave up all of those 7 yard completions underneath - and he has a slow initial recovery speed. He is a fast guy, timed fast as well. He can run with a lot of guys, but he does not close well in the mid-range. When he turns and runs, he is good, and his speed has allowed him to make up that step or two while the ball travels 30 yards, but on the shorter passes, he just never had it. He also plays the outside of slants seemingly by choice, and I've never agreed with that. Now, he has delivered some big hits around the LOS, so you might be wondering how that happens if what I'm saying is indeed true - simply put, the QB floated a pass to the sideline, and Robinson was able to run down his 8 yard cushion and make a crowd-pleasing hit on a guy who barely got his head around.

I know I'll get bashed for this, but I've held firm to this opinion for years, and he has yet to do anything to disprove it. He was looking like an above average NFL CB last year, but before that - aside from being a true #2 with Glenn - he has simply been an average NFL CB. He is best suited for a #2 role, and for the Texans, this may be a hidden blessing.

I said Spencer was best suited for OG when we drafted him, and while he could beat out some career backups at LT, his injury will force him to play at the position he is naturally suited for, and that will turn out to be a blessing as well.

lee evans and frank gore. it did not affect their explosiveness,
considering its dunta, i really think he will be back and useful.
this will be a TRUE feel good story. cause he will be one of the
few that actually make it back. no way this little guy with
big guy syndrom goin doin like this. top 10 corner gonna come thru

Big Lou said:

I think Dunta will end up moving to Free Safety. I asked McClain if he thought that he would move, last year when they announced the severity of the injury.

I can't remember what he said. I really hope I'm wrong, because I have as much respect for Dunta as I did Aaron Glenn. The guy brings it every play and he lets his play do the talking. He didn't deserve this!!!!

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There was a great interview with Rick Smith on 1560 The Game last week on the John and Lance show.

Dunta to safety came up, and Smith was dismissive of that and said that this sort of talk never came from the Texans and that Dunta is a CB. FWIW.

As an aside, fans were cheering like crazy for Dunta at the All Access event.

YoungTexanFan said:

I don't know why everyone is calling for him to be an All-Pro when he has never once in his career earned that title. I'm not talking just the title of it, he simply isn't good enough to warant the hype yall give him.
He is passionate and knows how to make the fundamental tackles. I love that he throws his body around.

I know I'll get bashed for this, but I've held firm to this opinion for years, and he has yet to do anything to disprove it.

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No bashing here, I have argued the case against DRob being a top flight QB for a while, he is the best we have had since Glenn left but that isn't saying much given the absence of quality we've had here.

I'm sticking to my guns that Molden/Bennett will be the starters here next year a healthy DRob or not. They are bigger, as fast if not faster and seem to have some natural ball skills.

Willis McGahee seems to have recovered just fine from one of the most gruesome knee injuries ever witnessed on tv.

It's going to take a lot of faith and hard work. If anyone can do it - I think DRob can. Just like Big Nasty, we are all pulling for you.

Second quote from Bennett is on Dunta:

As a rookie, Texans CB Fred Bennett received valuable experience, starting eight games and becoming a key member of the secondary. Now the Texans hope he is primed for bigger and better things in his second season. Bennett told PFW he has worked closely with assistant DB coach Ray Rhodes, one of the league's most respective defensive minds, on a couple of technical issues. Bennett has sought to improve his footwork. "You can't take a false step at the line of scrimmage," the cornerback, who's known for his ability to play press coverage, said. Bennett has also worked on using his eyes to his advantage. "When a receiver is running (toward) you, you've got to keep your eyes on his hips," Bennett said. Bennett offered this update on CB Dunta Robinson, who is recovering from knee and hamstring injuries suffered last November: "He looks good. He's backpedaling. He's running around." Robinson is expected to miss the beginning of the season, and Bennett told PFW that the veteran is being sure "not to rush" back into the lineup before he is ready.

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Link

Didn't know Dunta was backpedaling yet--that's good.

An interesting article from 2004 with info some of you may remember.
http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/080804/spo_20040808043.shtml
My concern is DR over doing it as it is his final year and re-injuring leg. I'd prefer a signed deal prior to season but doubt that would happen.

Marcus said:

Nobody deserves to have their football career ended by an injury. Tony Boselli didn't deserve it. Domanick Davis didn't deserve it. Charles Spencer didn't deserve it.

But I think some need to swallow hard, and accept the very likely prospect that Dunta will join this group. All you need to do, is go back and objectively look at how serious his injury was. He will be on IR the first 10 weeks of the season. He'll be "evaluated" and then placed on IR the rest of the season. We will read all these "feel good" stories about how hard he's working it in rehab, along with the "minor setbacks" in rehab.

But, in the end, we'll hear about the Texans oraganization being faced with another one of those "very tough decisions".

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One advantage with Dunta coming back versus those others is if he can run, plant, turn, and jump he'll have a good chance. Plus if he can handle some pain.

Domanick was told he'd never be without pain and he couldn't/didn't want to handle it.

Boselli and Spemcer play on the line and they have to be able to push 300 lb men around. The joints take a pounding in there and for Boselli his injury was at the point of attack. For Spencer he's got to drive with that leg.

I think Dunta will be back. Most of my family is in the medical field at some level. Those that are Texans fans never felt Dunta's was at the career ending level. They weren't involved with his surgery, though. So it's purely based on seeing others with similar injuries.

TexanBacker93 said:

One advantage with Dunta coming back versus those others is if he can run, plant, turn, and jump he'll have a good chance. Plus if he can handle some pain.

Domanick was told he'd never be without pain and he couldn't/didn't want to handle it.

Boselli and Spemcer play on the line and they have to be able to push 300 lb men around. The joints take a pounding in there and for Boselli his injury was at the point of attack. For Spencer he's got to drive with that leg.

I think Dunta will be back. Most of my family is in the medical field at some level. Those that are Texans fans never felt Dunta's was at the career ending level. They weren't involved with his surgery, though. So it's purely based on seeing others with similar injuries.

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The difference is that Dunta's injury can be repaired and was repaired. Boselli's shoulder, DDavis' knee and Spencer's knee can not be repaired.

I've had 4 surgeries on my left knee, including an ACL reconstruction. My right knee never gave me any problems until one year ago. I had a minor surgery to repair a small MCL tear and they found some cartilidge degeneration. Guess what knee is fine now and what knee hurts? My right knee is the problem knee and can't be repaired. My left knee is great.

Unless Dunta had something else happen to him that we aren't aware of, he'll recover fine and be 100% by next season. Blood and tissue loss to areas that don't regenerate are at issue with Boselli, Davis, and Spencer. The only surgical remedy for that is microfracture surgery which is probably the modern day equivalent of leaches.