Packers: Robinson awaiting reinstatement
By JASON WILDE
608-252-6176
October 10, 2007
GREEN BAY — Even though his cell phone has call waiting, Koren Robinson wasn't taking any chances Wednesday afternoon.
"I've got to keep my phone lines open," Robinson said.
And having waited a year for this call, who could blame him?
With his one-year suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy expiring Oct. 17, Robinson was waiting to hear from Roger Goodell's office Wednesday to learn when he would be meeting the commissioner in New York City about his reinstatement.
Robinson said he had spoken with the NFL's management council earlier in the day, and he was looking forward to meeting with Goodell to tell the commissioner about the progress he's made in the past 12 months.
Robinson said he has complied with every requirement of his suspension and associated programs, so he is expecting the league to rule in his favor, clearing his way to return to the Green Bay Packers during next week's bye.
"Everything looks real good," Robinson said.
Favre weighs in
Robinson's agent, Alvin Keels, didn't respond to an e-mail Wednesday, and by NFL rule, the Packers cannot comment on Robinson until he's reinstated.
But quarterback Brett Favre, who was outspoken in his support for Robinson after his appeal was denied last year, said Wednesday that he spoke to Robinson this week.
"From my conversations with him, he sounds like he's doing outstanding off the field," said Favre, who called Robinson on Tuesday. "Everything seems to be going great for him, and that's fantastic. He's eager to get back, and says he's in tremendous shape.
"I'm not the commissioner, but I think there needs to be some positives. There hasn't been a whole lot of positives as far as suspensions and things of that nature, and it would be nice — now, I'm a little bit biased, obviously — but I think he's done everything he's been asked to do, and it's time to set a good example, that you can resurrect not only your career but your life. I mean, there's still a lot left for him to do on and off the field, but give the guy an opportunity."
Favre was highly critical last year of the NFL's rule that players serving one-year suspensions not only aren't allowed to practice or play in games, but they're not even permitted on team property to work out and cannot have any contact with team officials.
Favre said Wednesday that he stands by his comments.
"I haven't seen Koren, but (in) talking to him, he sounds great. And in some ways, I've been through a lot of the same things he's been through, and it doesn't make you a bad person," said Favre, who battled an addiction to painkillers and heavy drinking early in his career. "His visit with the commissioner, he's anxiously awaiting (that). Hopefully it gets done this week, where he can meet with him. He says, 'That's the thing I've been looking to more than anything, a chance to eye-to-eye sit down and talk with (Goodell) and he can see how confident I am in where I am.' "
Bumpy road
The Packers signed Robinson on Sept. 11, 2006, after he was released by the Minnesota Vikings following a high-speed chase during their training camp, an incident for which Robinson eventually would serve jail time.
The NFL suspension first was handed down on Sept. 18, 2006, but because Robinson appealed the ruling, he was able to keep playing until the league denied his appeal Oct. 17.
He ended up playing in four games last season, catching seven passes for 89 yards and averaging 21.1 yards on 12 kickoff returns.
Robinson was suspended for a year because the league determined he had violated the policy a third time.
Robinson was involved in multiple alcohol-related arrests, the last of which occurred on Aug. 15, 2006, when Robinson led police in Mankato, Minn., on a high-speed chase and was charged with having a blood-alcohol level of 0.11, above the Minnesota legal limit of 0.08.
Robinson was in private counseling and attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings when he was suspended, and he stayed in Green Bay for much of the season.
Sentenced to 90 days in jail for violating his probation from a previous alcohol-related arrest in Kirkland, Wash., Robinson served 45 days in a work-release program, then served the other 45 days in both Kirkland and Green Bay.
He also was jailed in Nicollet County (Minn.) from July 18 to Aug. 2 as part of the training-camp arrest.
Self improvement
Since his release from there, Robinson has been in the Phoenix area, working out at Athlete's Performance, a prominent training facility used by many NFL players.
Once Robinson is reinstated, the Packers likely would receive a one-week roster exemption for him, and he could be added to the roster in time for the team's Oct. 29 game at Denver.
Although the Packers have a solid foursome at receiver with Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones and Ruvell Martin, Favre said Robinson would be a welcome addition.
"I think he can offer a lot," Favre said. "The thing about Koren, he was born to play football. He understands the game. And I gathered that from him right away. He understands how to set guys up, how to run routes. The terminology, it'll have to come back to him, and that may take awhile.
"But he gives us a different dimension and an added dimension to what we have. If we want to go five wide receivers — and we've proven we can go empty (backfield) — it gives us another dimension of stretching the field. So, do we put him in right away and is he capable of 20 catches (in a game)? I seriously doubt it. But I wouldn't put it past him."
...Then Favre comes out this week saying about Robinson: "I think he can offer a lot"...probably wished he had him in there for that drive.
...Then Favre comes out this week saying about Robinson: "I think he can offer a lot"...probably wished he had him in there for that drive.
