It’s still not known whether the first overall pick in the 2001 draft will decide to play for the Orlando Tuskers of the upstart UFL. But the ninth overall pick from that same draft will be suiting up for Florida’s entry in the new pro football league.
Acting on a tip from Nation Hahn of UFLAccess.com, we’ve learned that receiver Koren Robinson will indeed be playing for Tuskers coach Jim Haslett this year.
Robinson arguably is the most accomplished player to accept employment with the UFL. After flaming out in his first stint with the Seahawks due in large part to his inability to catch passes (and his inability to drop “the bottle”), Robinson became a Pro Bowl kick returner in Minnesota in 2005.
He was poised to become the team’s No. 1 wideout in 2006. However, a high-speed training-camp police chase after a preseason game during which ESPN’s Joe Theismann raved about the fact that Robinson had overcome his demons caused the Vikings to cut him.
Robinson thereafter signed with the Packers, served a one-year suspension as a result of the aforementioned high-speed training-camp police chase, returned to Green Bay for much of the 2007 season, and then got a second chance in Seattle in 2008, thanks to a rash of receiver injuries there.
Robinson started 12 games for the Seahawks last season, catching 31 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns.
By playing in the UFL, Robinson possibly will catch the interest of an NFL team. He’ll be able to return to the NFL after November 28.