Koren Robinson Reinstated

[MadtownPacker]

Seattle gave him his first and second chance, Minnesota his third...I think this is chance number four.

But isnt this the first time the NFL has suspended him with no guarantee of being allowed back?

[Merlin]

Green Bay seems to be the "fix" for a lot of problem players. If they become a problem while in Green Bay, they are cast off to another team in a hurry. Although that was the past. I am surprised so far how quiet Barnett's deal has been. Even though it's a raw deal, the media usually likes to jump on every small thing.

[Rastak]

Seattle gave him his first and second chance, Minnesota his third...I think this is chance number four.

But isnt this the first time the NFL has suspended him with no guarantee of being allowed back?

Yea, it's the fourth chance that an NFL team gave him.

[vince]

Congratulations to Koren Robinson for working through his personal and legal issues and seemingly overcoming his addictions. Here's hoping he can continue to be of sober mind and body!

[Carolina_Packer]

It's like getting something and giving up nothing at the trade deadline, especially when we could use a boost offensively. I agree, here's hoping the guy's problems are in his rear view mirror and getting smaller as he moves forward.

[MJZiggy]

We know he's on the edge--he knows he's on the edge. I think everyone can agree on that because if he screws up again he's out. I don't think this is a willpower or "just don't screw up." His success is going to depend on the kind of support he has as far as his friends, family, his rehab and who he can rely on when he doesn't feel like he can rely on himself. That's not something we can answer without knowing him intimately, therefore I'm not willing to worry about it right now. The worst that can happen is we lose his services again.

[Ballboy]

Real question here should be, who gets cut to make room for him.

Per the league, we get a roster expemton for him to practice into shape, once we activate him for a game we need to cut someone.


Who could it be?

[Carolina_Packer]

I'd have to guess Bodiford.

[MJZiggy]

Orrin Thompson?

[pittstang5]

Real question here should be, who gets cut to make room for him.

Per the league, we get a roster expemton for him to practice into shape, once we activate him for a game we need to cut someone.


Who could it be?

OR....they put someone on IR - Maybe Blackmon if they determine it'll take too long for him to get back.

[Patler]

There is always the chance an injury makes the change a "no-brainer"

Blackmon is a wait and see right now. They may decide his recovery is long term.
Montgomery has yet to be active or even practice much. I'm not sure he has a future in GB anyway.
Who knows what Bubba's situation will turn out to be, or even Walker's.

[Him8123]

I say they cut chris francies, is he still on the team? I like bodiford better than him. and i think Tramon Williams has shown he can be pretty good and improve.

[HarveyWallbangers]

WR Robinson reinstated by NFL
By TOM SILVERSTEIN

Green Bay - One year to the day that Green Bay Packers wide receiver Koren Robinson was suspended for violating the NFL's substance abuse program, commissioner Roger Goodell informed him that he was back in the league.

Goodell met with Robinson Sunday in a face-to-face meeting - in all places University of Phoenix Stadium in Phoenix - to discuss the receiver's possible reinstatement. On Wednesday, Robinson received a letter from Goodell informing him that his one-year suspension was over and he was free to resume his career.

In order to be reinstated, Robinson had to comply with a strict program that included testing for alcohol use up to 10 times per month. Any violation of the testing would have put Robinson's reinstatement in serious jeopardy, but he apparently kept clean for the year he was out of football.

"Before our conversation was over, I had a feeling he was going to reinstate me, but he had some strong words," Robinson said in a phone interview as he packed to fly to his permanent home in Raleigh, N.C. "He said, 'Most importantly, don't let yourself down, but also don't let your parents down, don't let the NFL down and don't let me down."'

At that point, Goodell indicated to Robinson he would be reinstated, but official word of it did not come until he received the letter.

The impromptu meeting came when Goodell came to Phoenix, where Robinson has spent the past two months training, and called him on his cell phone. Goodell told Robinson he was at the Arizona Cardinals-Carolina Panthers game and wanted to meet with him.

"I told him I'm at the game, too," Robinson said.

Stadium officials arranged for Goodell and Robinson to meet in a room in the bowels of the stadium where they met to discuss Robinson's reinstatement. Goodell was stern and told him that this was his last chance. One more violation of the substance abuse program and Robinson will be suspended for life.

Robinson was suspended for a year after multiple arrests for alcohol-related crimes, the most recent stemming from a high-speed chase on his way back to Minnesota Vikings training camp in Mankato, Minn., in 2006. Robinson was released by the Vikings a short time later, and signed by general manager Ted Thompson, who had a previous relationship with Robinson in Seattle.

Robinson played in four games for the Packers and was just getting acclimated when the suspension came down. Since then he has not been allowed to have contact with the Packers. He has served two different jail terms over the past year as a result of the alcohol-related charges.

Robinson filed for reinstatement to the league in August and had been waiting to hear from the commissioner.

"I felt like I did everything I needed to do in order to cope with or get through this situation I put myself in that led me on this crazy path," Robinson said. "I'm able to cope with things differently. I know how to avoid those situations that aren't positive. If they're not positive, I'm not going to be around that and if you're not positive I don't need you to be around me."

Robinson's agent, Alvin Keels, said Robinson was prohibited from drinking alcohol and was subject to as many as 10 drug tests a month. He said if Robinson had taken a drink of alcohol the NFL would have known about it.

"He wasn't supposed to drink, that goes without saying," Keels said. "The same testing procedures he was under when he was in the league remained. In order to be reinstated he had to comply and follow the program. There is little room for error. Koren's done an outstanding job of doing what they asked him to do."

Robinson attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, met with therapists and received support from family and friends. He said he took his recovery seriously and plans to continue receiving treatment when the re-joins the Packers.

During the months he wasn't serving time or working out in Phoenix with quarterback Brett Favre's personal trainer, Ken Croner, Robinson was in Green Bay, working on setting up a support system for his return. He said he doesn't fear returning to football and the culture of professional athletics.

"I'm definitely trying to start fresh," Robinson said. "I'm not trying to go back, but I'm not going to forget either."

Robinson is scheduled to arrive in Green Bay this week to begin getting acclimated with the Packers' offense. Because it's the bye week, he won't be able to take part in a practice until the team returns on Monday.

After being notified by the league, Thompson released a statement through the team's public relations department.

"The league has informed us that Koren Robinson has been reinstated," Thompson said. "It's been a year since we've seen Koren, so our first step is to have him return to Green Bay. The Packers will request a roster exemption, during which time we would see where Koren is at in terms of football shape.

"We are aware how difficult this past year has been for Koren, but the Packers are grateful for the progress he's made, as evidenced by this reinstatement."

Keels said he couldn't speak for the Packers as to what their plans were with Robinson. But it's likely they'll start him out as kickoff returner - a position where he earned a Pro Bowl berth with the Vikings in 2005 - and gradually work him into the receiver rotation.

"I think he's in the right situation," Keels said. "He'll have a lot of support in Green Bay from the front office and his teammates. There's always a chance he'll have a relapse, but I really think he has truly changed his way of life. I'm confident he has put his past behind him."

Robinson said he can't wait to get on the field and he's hoping that he can play in the Monday night game against the Denver Broncos Oct. 29. He spoke with quarterback Brett Favre after finding out he was going to be reinstated and was thrilled to hear the Favre was looking forward to having him back.

"He's happy for me," Robinson said. "He supports me, and that makes me feel good when Brett Favre thinks highly of you. It's telling me I'm doing things right."

[Lurker64]

This is good to hear. I hope that Robinson can get his life back together. I also hope that he can score about 50 touchdowns this year.

[MJZiggy]

How 'bout just one really good "eff you" one against the Pats? He does that, I'll call it a successful season. (well, that and some good kick returns)