IronMan
Cheesehead
http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071027/PKR07/71026133/1989
By Mike Woods
Let’s make one thing perfectly clear: Santa Claus isn’t coming to town.
Koren Robinson, not ever to be confused with Randy Moss, is.
Robinson, who hasn’t played an NFL game in more than a year after serving a year’s suspension for violating the NFL substance abuse policy for a third time, is the guy who has returned to help the Packers.
From a pure human standpoint, this is terrific news. Robinson’s past battles with alcohol have been well-documented, and that he has found some footing in his life and has worked diligently to win the daily fight against an incurable disease should be applauded.
His daily battle will continue, and we all should wish him well in that regard.
From a pure football standpoint, the question is, how much better will the Packers be now that he is back in the fold?
Tough to say, but it’s safe to say his impact will be several degrees below that of Moss in New England.
Now, if Robinson could run the stretch play or if he had expertise in running behind the zone-blocking scheme, then there would be reason for excitement.
But the running game remains a train wreck, and Robinson’s presence will have no bearing on the Packers’ ability to fix it.
He is not a No. 1 receiver and perhaps not even a No. 2. But he is a quality player who will add depth and give the Packers some more options in their passing game, as well as their return game.
Robinson had arthroscopic surgery in December on his chronically sore right knee and claims it no longer is an issue. He also reported to the Packers at 203 pounds, 10 less than last season. He looks, and sounds, ready to go.
But this remains a guy who only played in four games last season and 28 over the past three seasons, totaling 60 catches. He’s a guy that has 13 touchdown passes in his six-year career. Moss, by comparison, has caught eight in six games with the Patriots this season.
Robinson’s impact will be gradual, not immediate, and it will lean toward minimal, not noteworthy.
Where he can best assist the Packers is in the return game, specifically punt returns. While Charles Woodson has done a good job as the team’s punt returner and has expressed an interest in keeping the job, he is far more valuable to the team as a healthy cornerback. There simply is no need to put him at an unnecessary risk.
If Robinson can win the coaching staff’s trust — and that certainly won’t happen this week — that he can field the ball cleanly and advance it, it would allow them to make the switch. Robinson doesn’t have to be an upgrade, just a player who is as capable.
For all the feel-good vibes Robinson’s return will bring, there is the possibility of a downside.
His presence will allow coach Mike McCarthy and his offensive staff to explore and implement some different options to help make their passing game go.
That’s all well and good. But if comes at the expense of investing the time to fix the biggest problem on this team, then his return will be a curse in disguise.
Throwing the ball more is not the answer.
The Packers still need to find a way to transform an embarrassingly poor running game into one that is at least acceptable if they hope to get where they want to go.
Koren Robinson can make the Packers better, but not where they desperately need to be.
Mike Woods writes for The Post-Crescent of Appleton. Call him at (920) 993-1000, ext. 232, or e-mail him at [email protected]
By Mike Woods
Let’s make one thing perfectly clear: Santa Claus isn’t coming to town.
Koren Robinson, not ever to be confused with Randy Moss, is.
Robinson, who hasn’t played an NFL game in more than a year after serving a year’s suspension for violating the NFL substance abuse policy for a third time, is the guy who has returned to help the Packers.
From a pure human standpoint, this is terrific news. Robinson’s past battles with alcohol have been well-documented, and that he has found some footing in his life and has worked diligently to win the daily fight against an incurable disease should be applauded.
His daily battle will continue, and we all should wish him well in that regard.
From a pure football standpoint, the question is, how much better will the Packers be now that he is back in the fold?
Tough to say, but it’s safe to say his impact will be several degrees below that of Moss in New England.
Now, if Robinson could run the stretch play or if he had expertise in running behind the zone-blocking scheme, then there would be reason for excitement.
But the running game remains a train wreck, and Robinson’s presence will have no bearing on the Packers’ ability to fix it.
He is not a No. 1 receiver and perhaps not even a No. 2. But he is a quality player who will add depth and give the Packers some more options in their passing game, as well as their return game.
Robinson had arthroscopic surgery in December on his chronically sore right knee and claims it no longer is an issue. He also reported to the Packers at 203 pounds, 10 less than last season. He looks, and sounds, ready to go.
But this remains a guy who only played in four games last season and 28 over the past three seasons, totaling 60 catches. He’s a guy that has 13 touchdown passes in his six-year career. Moss, by comparison, has caught eight in six games with the Patriots this season.
Robinson’s impact will be gradual, not immediate, and it will lean toward minimal, not noteworthy.
Where he can best assist the Packers is in the return game, specifically punt returns. While Charles Woodson has done a good job as the team’s punt returner and has expressed an interest in keeping the job, he is far more valuable to the team as a healthy cornerback. There simply is no need to put him at an unnecessary risk.
If Robinson can win the coaching staff’s trust — and that certainly won’t happen this week — that he can field the ball cleanly and advance it, it would allow them to make the switch. Robinson doesn’t have to be an upgrade, just a player who is as capable.
For all the feel-good vibes Robinson’s return will bring, there is the possibility of a downside.
His presence will allow coach Mike McCarthy and his offensive staff to explore and implement some different options to help make their passing game go.
That’s all well and good. But if comes at the expense of investing the time to fix the biggest problem on this team, then his return will be a curse in disguise.
Throwing the ball more is not the answer.
The Packers still need to find a way to transform an embarrassingly poor running game into one that is at least acceptable if they hope to get where they want to go.
Koren Robinson can make the Packers better, but not where they desperately need to be.
Mike Woods writes for The Post-Crescent of Appleton. Call him at (920) 993-1000, ext. 232, or e-mail him at [email protected]
