Vikings Cut WR Robinson After Arrests, But Face More Issues

Vikings Release Robinson Following Latest Brush With Law

The Vikings released WR Koren Robinson — who was arrested August 15 on six counts of drunk driving and fleeing a police officer — on Saturday, just hours after S Dwight Smith was cited for indecent conduct, “extending a long stretch of off-field embarrassments for the franchise,” according to Seifert & Zulgad of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Vikings Owner Zygi Wilf and coach Brad Childress “have pledged to make character and discipline two of the primary foundations of their team.” The day after Robinson’s arrest, Childress said that he was “trying to build ‘a culture of accountability’ and that he had ‘no tolerance’ for those who ‘step over a line.’” Seifert & Zulgad report Smith is at least the ninth Vikings player “to face arrest or police citation during the past 12 months,” though three of those players are no longer with the club. Smith, who has two “gun-related legal issues” in the past, could not be reached for comment (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/27). Childress said he will discipline Smith, and Seifert reports today the punishment “likely will fall short of an outright release” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/28).

ROBINSON COULD FILE GRIEVANCE: In St. Paul, Sean Jensen reported by cutting Robinson, the Vikings are responsible for only $1.1M of the three-year, $12.7M contract he signed in March. However, the remaining amount “could be an issue if Robinson grieves the matter” with the NFLPA. According to the NFL CBA, a team “not in salary-cap trouble must cite one of four reasons for terminating a player's contract: failure to make a complete disclosure of a physical or mental condition during a physical exam, unsatisfactory performance compared to other players, personal conduct which adversely affects or reflects on the team, or poor physical condition.” League sources said that personal conduct “might not appear reasonable ... because Robinson has not admitted to or been found guilty of anything.” If the club cites personal conduct, it “could owe him a large chunk of his [full] contract if Robinson were exonerated on all charges” (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 8/27).

ADAMS STANDS BEHIND JONES: In Nashville, Paul Kuharsky reported Titans CB Adam “Pacman” Jones “got the backing of” Titans Owner Bud Adams after being arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct last week. Adams said, “He’s really been doing real well on the field, and I think he’s still going to be a great player. That thing was an unfortunate situation that happened the other night” (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 8/27).