Brian Robison Hopes That The Door Doesn't Hit Ray Edwards On His Way Out

by Christopher Gates on Jun 29, 2011 10:26 AM CDT in Minnesota Vikings 2011 Season

SAINT PAUL, MN - APRIL 6: Defensive end Brian Robison of the Minnesota Vikings arrives for a hearing at the U.S. Courthouse on April 6, 2011 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. NFL players have filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL owners after labor talks between the two broke down last month. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

One of the more contentious matters that Viking fans have had to chew on this off-season is the impending departure of defensive end Ray Edwards and/or whether or not Brian Robison can replace him in the starting lineup for the Minnesota Vikings.

Well, thanks to an interview with ESPN 1500, we know what Robison thinks of the situation.

"He means no harm about it -- he's doing what he has to do to get his payday, and he definitely deserves a payday. He's had two great seasons playing left defensive end for us. He's definitely made a name for himself.

"He deserves that payday, and at the same time, I feel like I deserve the right to start. I feel like I've fought every year for that right to start and haven't really got the shot that I deserve yet, and hopefully, now I'll get that shot and he'll go get his payday and we'll all be happy."

It remains to be seen if Robison can hold up physically at the left defensive end spot. . .we've seen his talents as a pass rusher over the past few years, and Robison has been bulking up this off-season in an effort to aid in his ability to set the edge against the run. While I'm not as optimistic about Edwards' odds of returning to Minnesota as some of my fellow DN writers are, I think that Robison should be fine as the starter at left defensive end and that the Vikings' in-house free agency efforts would be much better spent on attempting to keep Sidney Rice in the fold.

In a related story, Pro Football Weekly has named Robison one of the NFC North players with the best chance of having a breakout season in 2011. So he's got that going for him. . .which is nice.

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Interesting

I definitely get both players’ sides, but I’m not sure if I’d publicly state that one of your teammates should go somewhere else. If Robison thinks he deserves a starting spot (he probably does in my opinion), he should want to go out and earn the spot instead of hoping the guy ahead of him leaves.

DE is one of the few positions where the Vikings are pretty spoiled—as a fan, I’d like to be selfish and keep both Robison and Edwards. But I realize that as long as we keep one of them, there are other positions that the team needs to focus on more.

Proud contributor to Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota

by Eric J. Thompson on Jun 29, 2011 10:35 AM CDT reply actions

Yes, but...

…no way Edwards wouldn’t become a problem in the locker room if the Vikings chose Robison to start over Edwards. I’m not totally sold on Robison. I like what I see of him most of the time, but he also has a habit of losing his head and getting stupid penalties — less so last year perhaps. That said, Edwards wants some serious money and already has a bad attitude vis-a-vis the Vikings. Robison is good enough to make this decision easy for the front office. Edwards is gone.

by kcskol on Jun 29, 2011 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions

+1 for the Caddyshack reference

by PURPpplEATER on Jun 29, 2011 1:36 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Yeah, you have to be smart to not start some media war going back and forth between these guys

But I don’t have an issue with what he has to say. Anyone can read into what he’s implying, but as far as what he said, don’t have a problem with it. He said he wants to start. He feels he should be the starter. When asked about Ray, he said Ray wants to get paid, which makes perfect sense to me. What the hell else is he supposed to say? He spelled out the entire situation.

Skol!

by DM_Purp on Jun 29, 2011 2:12 PM CDT reply actions

nice

i like a guy that WANTS to play for the purple and gold

by YimYames on Jun 29, 2011 5:37 PM CDT reply actions

I 2nd that

The amount of confidence hes showing is great. Just hope he can back it up :)

**Rupert for ProBowl 2012!**

by LeeleeX on Jun 30, 2011 8:12 AM CDT up reply actions

great passion

These last few years I’ve noticed two Vikings that quickly became my favorite unsung heroes- two guys that didn’t have big star power, but played their asses off every time they hit the field: Farwell and Robison.

I’m supporting Robison big time in all of this. I’ve never seen the guy not give 100% effort. I just hope he can maintain the full time gig.

by Odin'sDrunkenSon on Jun 30, 2011 8:20 AM CDT reply actions

I've like this guy since we got him

and I like him even more now. He’s going to be better than people think and will hold up just fine. And unlike Edwards will show up every game not have a Dallas type game and then do nothing for another 1/2 season.

by bender26 on Jun 30, 2011 5:29 PM CDT reply actions