The Seattle Seahawks have been decimated with injuries at the receiver position. It’s just ridiculous. Deion Branch, Bobby Engram, Nate Burleson, Logan Payne and Ben Obomanu are out (Deion and Bobby are scheduled to return after the team’s bye week — the rest are gone for the season). So today they officially called upon the services of veteran (but oft-troubled) receiver Koren Robinson, signing to a one-year deal a player they let go back in 2005 because he couldn’t stop screwing up. The Seahawks also acquired receiver Keary Colbert in a trade from the Denver Broncos.

I know Koren’s had his share of problems. And he certainly hasn’t handled them the right way. He’ll be the first to tell you that. His ongoing battle with alcohol is well documented. But I spoke with him when he was a Pro Bowl receiver and kick returner for the Vikings in 2006 and I am not the only person who will tell you what a good guy Koren is. That doesn’t justify his reckless behavior on more than one occasion. It just says that he’s human and has his struggles like anyone else. Hopefully Koren has a handle on those problems now. And hopefully he can be a productive member of the Seahawks both on- and off-the-field this time around. I’m hoping so.

Source: NFL.com Wire Report

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Seahawks Sign Koren Robinson … Again

As I had hoped, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated Green Bay Packers WR Koren Robinson to the league today. Packers GM Ted Thompson released the following statement:

“The league has informed us that Koren Robinson has been reinstated, effective Thursday, October 18, 2007. We understand and appreciate the Commissioner’s consideration in this matter. 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.”

It may take Koren some time to get into “football shape,” but from what I’ve been hearing about his workouts in Arizona, it shouldn’t take him too long. Apparently he’s in the best condition of his life. I’m real happy for Koren. He’s a good guy and deserves this chance to make things right in his career and life.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Reinstates Koren Robinson

Green Bay Packers WR Koren Robinson has petitioned for reinstatement following a one-year suspension and is eligible to return to the NFL next week — Wednesday, October 17 to be exact. And I hope Commissioner Goodell grants that request.

Koren has had his share of alcohol-related problems since he entered the league back in 2001, but after talking with him a couple years ago as a Minnesota Viking, I felt certain he was on the right track. He admitted to having a problem with alcohol and was doing everything in his power to turn his life around. Unfortunately, his power wasn’t enough and he was cut by the Vikings after leading police on a 100 mph car chase with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit. Prior to the incident, he told me, “Everyday, I’m working on myself to be a better person.” And I believed him. He talked about his actions off-the-field and how that was not the person his parents raised him to be, that he was better than that. I know he was trying. I could hear it in his voice. I could see it in his face. It’s not easy to admit your problems and weaknesses to the whole world, but that’s what he did. He had to. He was working with AA and doing absolutely everything he was supposed to do to get right. Then, the unexpected happened. I guess his demons were more than he could handle. That’s the only way I could explain it. And in his case, demon alcohol was once again getting the better of him.

Now, I don’t in any way condone what he did — DWI. It’s bad enough that alcohol is his problem, but when you get behind the wheel of a car, it has the potential to become a lot of other people’s problems, too. And that’s very, very serious stuff. Koren would be the first to admit that was a horrible mistake.

Some people will say that Koren Robinson has already had enough chances — that he blew it. But I believe he deserves one more shot to make something of himself in this league. And I trust that Commissioner Goodell, after talking with Koren, will see that he is a (still) young guy who can be a productive player and person with the Packers and the NFL community.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Koren Robinson Deserves Another Chance