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This was in the St. Paul paper today and was an interesting read...
Vikings, Robinson far apartReceiver scheduled to become free agent if deal isn't reached by FridayBY SEAN JENSENPioneer PressThe agent for receiver Koren Robinson said he is "pessimistic" he can strike a long-term contract with the Vikings by Friday's deadline.
Agent Alvin Keels said discussions with Rob Brzezinski, the Vikings' vice president of football operations, haven't been fruitful with the start of free agency fast approaching.
"We have our differences on what the market value is on Koren as a player," Keels said." It's not something that can't be worked out.
"But if I were a betting man, I wouldn't put my money on it being worked out by Friday."
Keels stressed Friday because that's when the new league year and free agency are scheduled to open. But he and the Vikings could get more time if the NFL and the NFL Players Association make strides toward extending the collective bargaining agreement. If that's the case, the two sides could push back the starting date of free agency by a week or more so they can finalize terms of their agreement. But talks between the players association and management broke off Tuesday.
Keels isn't taking anything for granted.
Robinson is in an unusual situation after a topsy-turvy 2005 that started with his release from the Seattle Seahawks in June and ended with his selection to the Pro Bowl in December.
Last September, after checking out of a substance abuse rehabilitation center in South Carolina, Robinson signed a modest two-year contract with the Vikings. The Vikings released him before the start of the season to avoid having to pay him his entire 2005 salary of $540,000.
Several teams, including the Green Bay Packers, courted Robinson, giving him unexpected leverage. Keels then negotiated a one-year contract with the Vikings that gave the club the right to match any offer in free agency.
Robinson's dramatic turnaround was reinforced with character awards from local reporters and his teammates, as well his versatile performance for the Vikings.
Now, Robinson is one of the most appealing receivers available this offseason, with a thin market in free agency and the NFL draft.
"Of course, there are incentives for both parties to get a deal done before free agency because you never know what you're going to get once you open up Pandora's box," Keels said. "However, we're confident that Koren will be coveted if he hits the market."
With the Indianapolis Colts' re-signing of Reggie Wayne last week, Robinson is among the top receivers available. The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to release Terrell Owens, and other veterans will be let go. Robinson is among the top 10 free-agent receivers, according to scout.com. Of those players, Robinson has more receptions than, among others, Antwaan Randle El, Joe Jurevicius and David Givens. The only player with more catches or receiving yards than Robinson is David Boston, who has played in just five games the past two seasons.
A handful of teams could be in the market for a receiver, including the Packers, Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns.
Two teams with obvious interest in Robinson are the Packers and the Panthers. Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson selected Robinson ninth overall in the 2001 draft for the Seahawks. Robinson is from North Carolina and was coached by the Panthers' staff at the Pro Bowl last month.
The market for Robinson is difficult to gauge. He can't command a contract like Wayne, who got a $13.5 million signing bonus. But he could draw a deal between what Miami's Chris Chambers (five years, $30 million, including $12 million in bonuses) and Oakland's Jerry Porter (five years, $20 million, including $8 million guaranteed) received.
Robinson has thrived in the West Coast offense, which new Vikings coach Brad Childress plans to run. Last week, Childress said he visited with Robinson and concluded, "It's hard not to like him."
But it's also hard to keep him.
If the start of free agency is pushed back, Robinson's list of suitors could increase. Without a CBA extension, the Vikings' odds of re-signing him were much higher because only a handful of teams could even afford to spend much money. With the challenge of the potential uncapped year in 2007, only teams with significant salary cap space could sign players because the salary cap hit in the initial year would be very high.
In December, Robinson told the Pioneer Press that he wanted to remain a Viking. But when asked what kind of contract he is looking for, Robinson said, "I don't really know the numbers. But I can tell what's a good deal, and what's suitable. As a man, you don't want to be disrespected."
Link
Vikings, Robinson far apartReceiver scheduled to become free agent if deal isn't reached by FridayBY SEAN JENSENPioneer PressThe agent for receiver Koren Robinson said he is "pessimistic" he can strike a long-term contract with the Vikings by Friday's deadline.
Agent Alvin Keels said discussions with Rob Brzezinski, the Vikings' vice president of football operations, haven't been fruitful with the start of free agency fast approaching.
"We have our differences on what the market value is on Koren as a player," Keels said." It's not something that can't be worked out.
"But if I were a betting man, I wouldn't put my money on it being worked out by Friday."
Keels stressed Friday because that's when the new league year and free agency are scheduled to open. But he and the Vikings could get more time if the NFL and the NFL Players Association make strides toward extending the collective bargaining agreement. If that's the case, the two sides could push back the starting date of free agency by a week or more so they can finalize terms of their agreement. But talks between the players association and management broke off Tuesday.
Keels isn't taking anything for granted.
Robinson is in an unusual situation after a topsy-turvy 2005 that started with his release from the Seattle Seahawks in June and ended with his selection to the Pro Bowl in December.
Last September, after checking out of a substance abuse rehabilitation center in South Carolina, Robinson signed a modest two-year contract with the Vikings. The Vikings released him before the start of the season to avoid having to pay him his entire 2005 salary of $540,000.
Several teams, including the Green Bay Packers, courted Robinson, giving him unexpected leverage. Keels then negotiated a one-year contract with the Vikings that gave the club the right to match any offer in free agency.
Robinson's dramatic turnaround was reinforced with character awards from local reporters and his teammates, as well his versatile performance for the Vikings.
Now, Robinson is one of the most appealing receivers available this offseason, with a thin market in free agency and the NFL draft.
"Of course, there are incentives for both parties to get a deal done before free agency because you never know what you're going to get once you open up Pandora's box," Keels said. "However, we're confident that Koren will be coveted if he hits the market."
With the Indianapolis Colts' re-signing of Reggie Wayne last week, Robinson is among the top receivers available. The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to release Terrell Owens, and other veterans will be let go. Robinson is among the top 10 free-agent receivers, according to scout.com. Of those players, Robinson has more receptions than, among others, Antwaan Randle El, Joe Jurevicius and David Givens. The only player with more catches or receiving yards than Robinson is David Boston, who has played in just five games the past two seasons.
A handful of teams could be in the market for a receiver, including the Packers, Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns.
Two teams with obvious interest in Robinson are the Packers and the Panthers. Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson selected Robinson ninth overall in the 2001 draft for the Seahawks. Robinson is from North Carolina and was coached by the Panthers' staff at the Pro Bowl last month.
The market for Robinson is difficult to gauge. He can't command a contract like Wayne, who got a $13.5 million signing bonus. But he could draw a deal between what Miami's Chris Chambers (five years, $30 million, including $12 million in bonuses) and Oakland's Jerry Porter (five years, $20 million, including $8 million guaranteed) received.
Robinson has thrived in the West Coast offense, which new Vikings coach Brad Childress plans to run. Last week, Childress said he visited with Robinson and concluded, "It's hard not to like him."
But it's also hard to keep him.
If the start of free agency is pushed back, Robinson's list of suitors could increase. Without a CBA extension, the Vikings' odds of re-signing him were much higher because only a handful of teams could even afford to spend much money. With the challenge of the potential uncapped year in 2007, only teams with significant salary cap space could sign players because the salary cap hit in the initial year would be very high.
In December, Robinson told the Pioneer Press that he wanted to remain a Viking. But when asked what kind of contract he is looking for, Robinson said, "I don't really know the numbers. But I can tell what's a good deal, and what's suitable. As a man, you don't want to be disrespected."
Link
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