Robinson out, Thompson not desperate

By Os Davis | Wednesday, October 18, 2006 | ( 0 )

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At the time, no less reputable a source than general manager Ted Thompson explained to the faithful that the signing of Koren Robinson after the Green Bay Packers' appalling 26-0 opening-day home loss to the Chicago Bears was not at all a desperation move. "No, it's not," denied Thompson; clearly, the man just liked Robinson's numbers.

Some of Robinson's career numbers run like this: On Aug. 15 of this year, the wide receiver managed 100 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone; achieved an adequate total blood-alcohol content level of 0.11; ran up a four-game suspension for "violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy" in 2004; has been cut by both the Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings due to alcohol problems; and 90 days to be served following the season thanks to a probation violation in Washington last year.

One more number should be added as well: $12.7 million. As in the value of the three-year extension he got from the Vikings in March. In March, mind you.

Incidentally, the 2001 first-round pick ran up 1,221 yards on special teams on the way to his first Pro Bowl bid.

"We've been thinking about this for some time," claimed Thompson after acquiring Robinson in September. If that were so, why didn't the Packers, extremely thin at wide receiver beyond Donald Driver and rookie Greg Jennings, make this move a bit earlier?

Quickly installed on special teams after the acquisition, Robinson finally appeared to become a viable part of the Packer offense in the 23-20 loss to the St. Louis Rams two weeks ago, catching four passes (one more than Driver) and even bagging a key first down on a potentially game-winning drive in the fourth.

Today, Thompson and the Pack are face to face with Robinson's fatal flaw that caused the Vikings to cut and 30 other teams to pass on the potential perpetual headliner. The NFL has suspended Robinson for a full year for violating the league substance-abuse policy. Robinson was rumored to have been informed of imminent suspension about two weeks ago, but was reportedly appealing that decision behind closed doors. After pleading "not guilty" in court to DUI charges yesterday, the league officially announced the suspension.

As for the Packers themselves, well, the receiving corps is back to square one. Or perhaps designating their current position "square zero" might be more accurate, as tentative No. 3 receiver Robert Ferguson is listed as "doubtful" for the upcoming game at the Miami Dolphins. Green Bay's passing attack would now seem to depend solely on Driver, Jennings and first-year man Ruvell Martin, who has yet to record a reception in an NFL game. Kickoff returning appears to be in the hands of Vernand Morency, another hasty early-season acquisition, though one that has paid off somewhat.

Another hole among pass catchers on a team that, despite ranking second in the NFL in passing yards per game is just 23rd in completion percentage, is greater cause for pessimism while the 1-4 Packers' playoff hopes are slimmer by the game minute.

Of course, with the trade deadline gone, Thompson has already missed out on the likes of Oakland's Jerry Porter. Would such a move, though smacking of panic, have been called desperation?

Not at all.

RealFootball365.com: Where we attempt to provide insight into Ted Thompson and his plan for the Green Bay Packers.

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	About Os Davis Os Davis has taken a twisted route to get to RealFootball365.com in his nearly 17 years in professional writing, working in any number of capacities in the sportswriting, news reporting and film criticism worlds. In print media, Os has served as editor at a few publications, including Albuquerque's...
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