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Vikings: Robinson apparently set to sign
Judd Zulgad and Kevin Seifert, Star Tribune
September 6, 2005 VIKE0906
The Vikings are hoping Koren Robinson's future contributions will outweigh the baggage from his past.
Although the team refused to confirm it, Robinson's agent said Monday the former Seattle Seahawks receiver had agreed to a two-year deal after a two-day visit to Winter Park.
Agent Alvin Keels would not divulge financial details but the contract is thought to be for about $1.5 million with several obtainable incentives.
Rob Brzezinski, the Vikings' vice president of football operations, said the sides were still working on several peripheral issues. Keels, however, expects the deal to be signed today and for his client to be in uniform for the Vikings' game at Cincinnati on Sept 11.
Robinson did not attend a training camp this summer because he checked into a 28-day treatment program for alcoholism.
"No. 1, Koren wants to get back on the field," said Keels, who doesn't expect Robinson to play in the Vikings' season opener Sunday against Tampa Bay.
Continued Keels: "No. 2, this gives him an opportunity to play with one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Daunte Culpepper and No. 3, he's a competitor and has a drive to win. Minnesota has the ingredients [to win the Super Bowl] and he wants to contribute in any way he can."
Robinson and Vikings cornerback Brian Williams were college teammates at North Carolina State and still are close friends, and the Vikings hope that will ease Robinson's acceptance by the players. The Vikings have lauded their team chemistry since the offseason trade of receiver Randy Moss to Oakland.
The Vikings spent part of Monday working through the legal logistics of Robinson's most recent off-field incident. Robinson, 25, has a Sept. 14 court date stemming from a drunken driving conviction.
Robinson was arrested for drunken driving in May when he registered a blood-alcohol content of 0.191 percent. The Seahawks released him in June, and then Robinson pled guilty July 18 and was sentenced to one day in jail with 364 days suspended. The case, though, was reopened when officers smelled alcohol on his breath when he arrived to serve his day in jail. His hearing later this month will be held in Kirkland, Wash..
The drunken driving arrest was only the latest problem for Robinson, the ninth overall pick in the 2001 draft by Seattle. He was suspended for four games last season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, meaning his next positive drug test would lead to a one-year suspension, and he also served a Seahawks-imposed suspension for two other games after missing team meetings.
Keels said he could not comment on what might happen to Robinson in the Washington court system, but said his client is not in danger of any further action from the NFL.
Robinson's on-field abilities make the Vikings believe the risk is worth taking. The 6-1, 205-pound receiver had his best season in 2002, catching 78 passes for 1,240 yards and five touchdowns.
The Vikings, looking to add a big-play receiver who can make the vertical passing game a threat, also talked to the agent for receiver Peter Warrick last week after he was released by Cincinnati. Warrick signed with Seattle.
Robinson was on the sidelines at Winter Park on Monday watching the team go through its afternoon practice after working out in the morning. He met with coach Mike Tice a day earlier and impressed the coach. "I had a great visit," Tice said. "He had a great workout today."
Tice has been speaking quietly with Robinson for several weeks at the request of Williams, who vouched for Robinson's character, saying: "In college, he was a good guy. You know people go through stuff sometimes."
Culpepper seemed pleased when told an agreement in principle had been reached. "I'm definitely excited about Koren Robinson," he said. "He's a great receiver, first-round draft pick, made a lot of great plays. I'm excited for him to be able to help us."
Kansas City, Tennessee and New Orleans also expressed interest in Robinson and trips had been set up for next week.
Staff Writer Mark Craig contributed to this report.
Judd Zulgad and Kevin Seifert, Star Tribune
September 6, 2005 VIKE0906
The Vikings are hoping Koren Robinson's future contributions will outweigh the baggage from his past.
Although the team refused to confirm it, Robinson's agent said Monday the former Seattle Seahawks receiver had agreed to a two-year deal after a two-day visit to Winter Park.
Agent Alvin Keels would not divulge financial details but the contract is thought to be for about $1.5 million with several obtainable incentives.
Rob Brzezinski, the Vikings' vice president of football operations, said the sides were still working on several peripheral issues. Keels, however, expects the deal to be signed today and for his client to be in uniform for the Vikings' game at Cincinnati on Sept 11.
Robinson did not attend a training camp this summer because he checked into a 28-day treatment program for alcoholism.
"No. 1, Koren wants to get back on the field," said Keels, who doesn't expect Robinson to play in the Vikings' season opener Sunday against Tampa Bay.
Continued Keels: "No. 2, this gives him an opportunity to play with one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Daunte Culpepper and No. 3, he's a competitor and has a drive to win. Minnesota has the ingredients [to win the Super Bowl] and he wants to contribute in any way he can."
Robinson and Vikings cornerback Brian Williams were college teammates at North Carolina State and still are close friends, and the Vikings hope that will ease Robinson's acceptance by the players. The Vikings have lauded their team chemistry since the offseason trade of receiver Randy Moss to Oakland.
The Vikings spent part of Monday working through the legal logistics of Robinson's most recent off-field incident. Robinson, 25, has a Sept. 14 court date stemming from a drunken driving conviction.
Robinson was arrested for drunken driving in May when he registered a blood-alcohol content of 0.191 percent. The Seahawks released him in June, and then Robinson pled guilty July 18 and was sentenced to one day in jail with 364 days suspended. The case, though, was reopened when officers smelled alcohol on his breath when he arrived to serve his day in jail. His hearing later this month will be held in Kirkland, Wash..
The drunken driving arrest was only the latest problem for Robinson, the ninth overall pick in the 2001 draft by Seattle. He was suspended for four games last season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, meaning his next positive drug test would lead to a one-year suspension, and he also served a Seahawks-imposed suspension for two other games after missing team meetings.
Keels said he could not comment on what might happen to Robinson in the Washington court system, but said his client is not in danger of any further action from the NFL.
Robinson's on-field abilities make the Vikings believe the risk is worth taking. The 6-1, 205-pound receiver had his best season in 2002, catching 78 passes for 1,240 yards and five touchdowns.
The Vikings, looking to add a big-play receiver who can make the vertical passing game a threat, also talked to the agent for receiver Peter Warrick last week after he was released by Cincinnati. Warrick signed with Seattle.
Robinson was on the sidelines at Winter Park on Monday watching the team go through its afternoon practice after working out in the morning. He met with coach Mike Tice a day earlier and impressed the coach. "I had a great visit," Tice said. "He had a great workout today."
Tice has been speaking quietly with Robinson for several weeks at the request of Williams, who vouched for Robinson's character, saying: "In college, he was a good guy. You know people go through stuff sometimes."
Culpepper seemed pleased when told an agreement in principle had been reached. "I'm definitely excited about Koren Robinson," he said. "He's a great receiver, first-round draft pick, made a lot of great plays. I'm excited for him to be able to help us."
Kansas City, Tennessee and New Orleans also expressed interest in Robinson and trips had been set up for next week.
Staff Writer Mark Craig contributed to this report.
