Robison re-ups with the Vikings for good money; but does it mean the end of his prolonged racial apprenticeship? He thinks it is.
<H1 id=articleTitle =articleTitle>Vikings lock up defensive end Brian Robison with three-year, $14.1 million deal</H1>
<DIV id=articleByline =articleByline>By Jeremy Fowler
jfowler@pioneerpress.com
<DIV id=articleDate =articleDate>Updated:03/03/2011 11:54:16 PM CST
Instead of splurging on high-profile free agents Sidney Rice and Chad Greenway, the Vikings started the in-house long-term extension process with a key backup.
<DIV id=article =article>
Defensive end Brian Robison believes his growth during four years in Minnesota led to a three-year, $14.1 million contract extension Thursday that includes a $6.5 million signing bonus.
Despite seven starts in 63 games, Robison said he combated his frustration for a larger role with a relentless work ethic. He worked on becoming more versatile as an end or tackle, and on stopping the run for the Vikings. He refused to get caught up in complaining.
Playing two snaps in a game against Green Bay last season was almost a breaking point, Robison said, but he tried to "handle it all with class."
That made contract negotiations easier, he said. And the positive outlook helped him greatly increase his $550,000 salary from 2010.
"I didn't go off the deep end, even though sometimes I might have felt like it," Robison said from a celebratory rodeo in his hometown of Houston. "I just did my business and moved along. Guys respect you that way as opposed to getting frustrated."
Though the entire $14.1 million contract is not guaranteed, the 6-foot-3, 259-pound Robison said he's confident in his ability to obtain his standard option clauses.
Robison's signing suggests defensive end Ray Edwards will no longer be a Viking should he be an unrestricted free agent once a new collective bargaining agreement is reached.
The Vikings on Wednesday placed first-round tenders on Edwards and Rice, offering one-year deals reported to be worth anywhere from $2.8 million to $3.5 million. Rice, who reportedly wants to test the open market, also could be unrestricted next season.
Since all NFL teams have been operating under the guidelines of an uncapped year in the current CBA, any free agent with less than six years of service can be retained by his own team under a one-year tender.
But Edwards has made it clear that he wants a long-term deal â€" either in Minnesota or somewhere else.
Robison, offensive lineman Ryan Cook and safety Husain Abdullah received second-round tenders worth close to $2 million, though Robison's tender is now moot.
Linebacker Erin Henderson and safety Eric Frampton, two anchors on the Vikings' special teams coverage, received right of first refusal tenders that are worth a little more than $1 million.
Greenway, arguably the team's top free-agent priority, signed a one-year franchise tender that should pay around $10 million.
As of Thursday night, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, fullback Naufahu Tahi, defensive tackle Fred Evans, wide receiver Hank Baskett and running back Albert Young had not been tendered by the team.
Robison's deal marks the Vikings' first step toward securing their current players for the long term. The Vikings like the versatility of Robison, who recorded 15 tackles and two sacks last season as Edwards' backup.
Robison said he feels confident that this is his chance to finally start in the league, even though he played "hard to get" with the Vikings despite wanting to stay with the team.
"It feels like a lot of pressure off my back," said Robison, who has 13 1/2 career sacks since 2007. "They definitely told me I was a priority they wanted to get done; they wanted to keep me in Minnesota. That meant a lot."
The Vikings were not expected to use a restricted tender on Jackson, once deemed the franchise quarterback by former coach Brad Childress. Jackson acknowledged after the regular season that his future in Minnesota was uncertain at best.
In five seasons with the Vikings, Jackson completed 58.7 percent of his passes for 3,984 yards and 24 touchdowns, with 22 interceptions and a 76.6 passer rating.
The Vikings also have not released any players in the face of a lockout, though NFL teams have an extra 24 hours to shed bloated contracts. The current CBA was scheduled to expire at 11 p.m. CST Thursday.<BR style="CLEAR: both">
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