League suspends Robinson for one year
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Koren Robinson was suspended without pay Tuesday for a minimum of one year for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
The league’s action came hours after Robinson pleaded not guilty to charges of drunken driving and fleeing police stemming from a high-speed chase in August.
Robinson’s agent, Alvin Keels, said in a telephone interview he was surprised the league didn’t wait until after Robinson’s legal issues in Minnesota had been resolved to issue the suspension.
Keels said Robinson was disappointed by the decision.
“He seems to be handling it well,” Keels said. “I think he’s in a state of shock right now. We thought the league would wait. But obviously, they’re trying to make a statement.”
Keels said the reason given for the suspension was the league believed Robinson consumed alcohol on the night he was arrested in Minnesota. Under the terms of the league’s substance abuse policy, officials didn’t have to wait for Robinson’s court case to be resolved to suspend him.
Fassel, Rowen lose jobs
Jim Fassel was fired as offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens, a move designed by coach Brian Billick to get more firepower from the league’s 28th-ranked attack.
The Ravens scored only 10 offensive touchdowns in their first six games and were held to 16 points or fewer three times.
“Frustrated Arizona Cardinals coach Dennis Green fired offensive coordinator Keith Rowen and replaced him with quarterbacks coach Mike Kruczek.
The move came hours after the Cardinals blew a 20-point lead and lost to the Chicago Bears 24-23 on Monday night.
Colts land McFarland
The Indianapolis Colts brought in a bulky defensive tackle to stop the run, this time trading a 2007 second-round draft choice to Tampa Bay for Anthony McFarland.
McFarland, a 6-foot, 300-pound defensive tackle, should help reinforce the middle of the Colts’ leaky run defense, which ranks last in the NFL. In five games this season, the unbeaten Colts have allowed 166.8 yards per game.
Around the league
Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. attended a funeral for his younger brother, Justin K.B. Winslow, who died suddenly last week in Kansas City, Mo. He was 23. The son of Hall of Fame tight end Kellen Winslow Sr. was found unconscious on Thursday by his mother, Dawnn Wimes O’Bannon. According to a statement released by the family, he was unresponsive with a weak pulse. A family spokeswoman said the cause of death would not be known until toxicology tests are completed. … Detroit Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rogers will be suspended for four games by the NFL for taking a banned, over-the-counter substance. Also, the Lions placed running back Shawn Bryson on the injured reserve list and signed running back Arlen Harris. … The Chicago Bears’ big comeback against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night on ESPN was watched in 10.8 million homes, the third-highest total in cable television history. It trailed only a 1993 debate between Al Gore and Ross Perot and the return of football to New Orleans on Sept. 25, also on ESPN. … Former Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick rejoined the Miami Dolphins as a receiver after spending the first six weeks of the season on their practice squad. To make room on the roster for Vick, the Dolphins cut wide receiver Cliff Russell. … Atlanta Falcons guard Matt Lehr was suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. … The Houston Texans signed veteran defensive tackle Lional Dalton, who started 14 games for Kansas City in 2005, but fell out of favor this season and was released last week.