Robinson Loves Seattle But Backs Pack Ex-Hawk Plans To Return Someday, Hopefully With A Super Bowl Ring
When Eugene Robinson was traded from Seattle to Green Bay in June, it had the appearance of him leaving behind the ultimate fix-‘er-upper for a Super-looking new home.
Robinson didn’t think so. He didn’t want to leave.
“Quite frankly, I hated to go,” said Robinson, who returns to Seattle today when the Packers visit the Kingdome, “but it was a very good change and very good opportunity for me.”
Robinson provided stability to a Seahawks franchise during an otherwise dark decade of Brian Bosworth, Dan McGwire, Kelly Stouffer and Tom Flores. Robinson was the Seahawks’ team leader and their conduit with the fans. Funny, insightful and honest, Robinson often was the team spokesman after rare wins and excruciating losses.
His talent extended to the field, where he became the leading tackler in team history (984) by a whopping 171. From 1986-95, Robinson, a safety, led the Hawks in tackles four times and was never lower than third in a category usually dominated by linebackers. He’s second on the interception list (42) and third in fumbles recovered (15). He started 108 of 110 games and made the Pro Bowl twice.
He plays a darn good saxophone, too. He bought a sax in Tokyo in 1990 when the Seahawks played Denver in a preseason game and threatened to play it on the flight home. When his teammates rebelled, Robinson went into the restroom and played for hours. Years later, the self-taught Robinson played sweet renditions of the National Anthem at Seahawks functions.
He’ll almost certainly be inducted to the Seahawks’ Ring of Honor in the Kingdome. He’ll likely be greeted warmly today by the crowd - and his ex-teammates.
Until gametime, that is. The past is the past and Robinson can’t take a helmet full of memories into the Kingdome or he’d probably forget to cover his old buddy, Seahawks receiver Brian Blades.
“I have some fond memories of Seattle, and that’s where we plan to make our home,” said Robinson, who was dealt for defensive lineman Matt LaBounty. “Now the venue has changed and I’ll come there as the foe, so to speak, and I have a job to do. Hopefully, they (the fans) won’t hold it too much against me.”
In Green Bay, Robinson is another cog in a veteran, talented defense. He fits in - as he always has.
“He’s done a great job,” Packers coach Mike Holmgren said. “He’s added a lot of enthusiasm and experience to our defense. I think with (off-season acquisitions) Santana Dotson, Eugene and Ron Cox, it will help make our defense better.”
There is less pressure on Robinson in Green Bay’s system. There, he’s more apt to punch his timecard and simply try to stay away from mistakes.
“I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say we were a good team,” Robinson said. “(Defensive linemen) Santana Dotson and Gilbert Brown cause so much havoc and get so much push on the offensive side of the ball that the running backs don’t have free access. (Seattle’s Winston Moss) has great speed. Our linebackers are like Winston with great speed, great lateral quickness. I was telling (DB) Leroy Butler I’m surprised if the safeties make three or four tackles. In this defense that’s a good day.
“One thing I’ve noticed here is most guys in pivotal positions are leaders already, so you don’t have to pull them along.”
Seattle could use some pulling and prodding to erase its sorry 1-3 start. The Seahawks have been run on and passed over and today they encounter one of the NFL’s most devastating offenses.
Robinson declines to offer in-depth analysis of the Seahawks’ defensive problems because he’s got his own workload to worry about.
“I haven’t watched their defense enough to know what’s going on,” he said. “I know (injured linebacker) Terry Wooden hasn’t been in. That’s one big factor because he’s always been a solidifying force.”
Seattle’s present defensive leaders are linebacker Winston Moss and safety Robert Blackmon.
“How much they’re coming to the forefront I don’t know,” Robinson said. “”One thing Winston did when he first got there was talk to the defensive linemen: ‘Hey man, you’ve got to make this play. Cortez, you’re not untouchable, you’ve got to do this.”’
Green Bay found out it wasn’t untouchable last Sunday in a loss to Minnesota. It’ll be an angry collection of Packers in the Dome.
“Coach Holmgren doesn’t allow you to rest on your laurels. He’s a very, very good motivator,” Robinson said. “We came off two big wins, Philadelphia and San Diego, and you’d have thought we didn’t win the games he was so on us about doing things right.”
The move to Pack-crazed Wisconsin has turned out to be quite right for Robinson.
“I get about 15 kids that play in my yard every day. They look in my window to see if I’m coming out to throw the ball with them,” Robinson said. “They make excuses to come to the door to get orange juice. It’s been pretty nice.”
More often than not, you can bet Robinson hands out glasses of juice and tosses passes to the kids. After all, he did the same in Seattle for 10 years.
The records: Seattle is 1-3. Green Bay is 3-1.
The series: Tied 3-3.
Last week: Seattle rallied late to slip past Tampa Bay 17-13. Green Bay’s Brett Favre was sacked seven times in a 30-21 loss to Minnesota.
The line: Packers by 9-1/2.
On the air
Television: Fox, with Kevin Harlan and Jerry Glanville.
Radio: KXLY (920 AM) with Steve Thomas and Steve Raible.
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MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: HAWKS vs. PACKERS The game: 1 p.m. at Kingdome in Seattle. Coaches: Seattle - Dennis Erickson, 9-11, second season. Green Bay - Mike Holmgren, 41-27, fifth season.