Vikings' Brian Robison wants to play ... but Jared Allen won't ...

Since the Vikings acquired Jared Allen in a trade before last season, fellow defensive end Brian Robison has learned plenty from the NFL's most prolific pass rusher since 2004: How to read keys.

[Brett Favre]

I like Robison, and he always seems to do something good when he subs on the d-line. Not so much as a kick returner...

Sounds like he's shaping up to be trade bait when the Vikings move up in the draft to take a top QB next year.

[General Bob Lee]

Robison has always been an excellent player, and time, staying healthy and learning more will make him a great asset for the Vikes for years to come.

Brian, consider yourself lucky for him extending your career.

[muskratbob]

robertson keep ready to play we are at middle of the season and it'll take total team effert to do it all you'll get your chance and when you do sack the quarterback and you'll get noticed. go vikings.

[GSD Fan]

Allen needs to teach Robison that he's not a kick returner and Edwards to fall on the damn ball!

[GSD Fan]

Sorry for the double-post above.

[Emerson Boozer Guy]

Subs don't get much print because they don't get the stats that impress the rubes. But screw up in one of your few times on the field and everybody remembers. That stupid run could have cost the Vikings the game. As a clumsy white guy I was taught in 9th grade to fall on any loose ball and that was 40 years ago! Besides Robison looked terrible running with the ball. I was embarrassed for him, before he coughed it up. I'd love to have a copy of the game film to show my grandson.

[Mad Dog Gus]

Ray Edwards is who Robison should be pushing for a starting position...the competition would make both of them better!

[Huge Jazz]

I've always liked Robison and he's right. These NFL guys are just plain wired different. Hyper-competative times ten. Like sharks smelling blood in the water.

For Robison this is a problem. For the Vikes this is a good problem. For the other teams....this is a real BAD problem. You've got a super motivated secondary DE that wants to show something.

Just by Allen being so good he's raising the play of the guys behind him just because they want to get in the action too.

Is Allen being selfish. Absolutely. Would you want him any other way?

[Roger Goodell]

I think this merits a Congressional investigation

[Observer]

Pay no attention to my first post, I'm just kidding around.

[scubaman34]

Certainly the writer is not suggesting we give Jared Allen less time to harrass the entire NFL ?? I like Robison but come on Allen is a Pro-bowler. Do you want Antoine back or are you happy with the backup guy ?? Duh !!!!

[Da Crusher_RIP]

Robison do not look down at your jersey number. You are #91, not #16. When you see a loose ball laying on the gridiron, do not, I repeat do not think you are a running back. You are a lineman, hence your jersey number #91.
Just fall on the damn ball and cover it tightly in your arms.
That's it, nothing complicated, just do not think you can run with the ball.
Because you can't.

[Better than Edwards]

Mad Dog Gus wrote:

Ray Edwards is who Robison should be pushing for a starting position...the competition would make both of them better!

Agreed, only I'd go a step further and say that Robison should be the starter with Edwards backing up. Edwards is a reaction guy, picking up the scraps when the pocket breaks down - Robison is a playmaker and without a doubt the better option.

[To Punish And Enslave]

Observer wrote:

Beware of how we ALL are going to be exploited
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2100...

Nobody believes your dumb article.

[Boo Hoo Hoo]

Stories like this urk me. Why can't Robison compete against Edwards for more time? I like it when I see Robison on the field. Edwards is a good player but doesn't play smart all the time. Jumps offsides a lot, gets called for way too many PFs and takes himself out of way too many plays. We are always teaching our youth football ends to contain first and rush second. Edwards has gotten burnt so many times either crashing the line or rushing too deep in the backfield. I think Robison laid a huge goose egg when he took the squib kick in the Packer game and tried to be a superstar but fumbled instead rather than just going down and the Vikings having a good field position. Edwards kind of did the say in the Steeler game. Tried to pick up the ball rather than just corral the fumble. Its a team sport isn't it?

I hope Robison does get on the field more!

[Justin]

I was hoping he would push Edwards out at the beginning of the season but Edwards has also been impressive compared to the previous 2 years.
Injuries unfortunately do occur and its nice to know we got someone that can step right in if neccessary wish we could say the same about our Corners

[Brett Favre]

Better than Edwards wrote:

<quoted text>
Agreed, only I'd go a step further and say that Robison should be the starter with Edwards backing up. Edwards is a reaction guy, picking up the scraps when the pocket breaks down - Robison is a playmaker and without a doubt the better option.

Supposedly, the Vikings view Robison as an undersized, situational pass rusher who would wear down too easily if left in the game full time. Can't remember which of the coaches said that last year... I know he lists about 10+ pounds lighter than Edwards and Allen, but he sure seems to get right in on the action when he takes his first game snaps.

Interesting to see if they keep him for depth or trade him for value before he becomes a free agent. Hate to lose him for nothing if he's not going to crack the starting lineup. Obviously he's not taking Allen's spot barring injury, and Edwards has only been here a year longer than Robison. No way the vikings put one of the restricted FA tags on a guy like Robison, so I'd think he'll take his impressive part-time stats and go shopping for a team that will pay him to play full time.

[sw viking]

I disagree I thought Robinson did a good job of running, it was the holding onto the ball witch needs work. I thought Edwards trying too pick up the ball instead of falling on it was worse. I too would like too see Robinson git more time at left end especially when they have too pass.

[Jay]

Better than Edwards wrote:

<quoted text>
Agreed, only I'd go a step further and say that Robison should be the starter with Edwards backing up. Edwards is a reaction guy, picking up the scraps when the pocket breaks down - Robison is a playmaker and without a doubt the better option.

I don't quite agree. Yes, Robinson is a better pass rusher; hence this is why he's used on third down. However, the Vikings have the best run defense for three years in a row. What you’re neglecting here is the fact that overall Ray also allows the Vikings to stop the run. On third and long we all know that teams are going to pass. But on first or second down, I'm not sold on having an undersized defensive end trying to contain the run. Ray, all around, gives us the best option when we DON'T know what the opposing team will do. This is why Frazier brings him in a third down to play defensive tackle. Essentially what you have is a mismatch because you have a pass rushing defensive end (when Robinson replaces Pat Williams) going against a slow offensive guard. This gives us the run contain on the outside with Ray and basically three defensive ends going after the quarterback.
Bottom line, until Brian can prove that he's also a consistent run stopper that can go the entire game, I don't foresee him getting that many reps. While his stats may be impressive while he's in, you have to remember that third and long situations have one goal: go after the quarterback.

[John Maddening]

So, trade him. Maybe they can get a ball hawking defensive back for him. Throw in T-Jack, if necessary.