As Brian Robison enters his 11th season with the Vikings, his 56 career sacks place him in a tie for ninth all-time in franchise history and as the leader among current players.
The defensive end has brought productivity and a relentless work ethic to Minnesota since being drafted in the fourth round in 2007 out of the University of Texas.
But the longest-tenured Viking has also taken on a bigger leadership role in the past few years, a topic Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press recently wrote about.
Krawczynski wrote that Robison's mentorship of fellow defensive end Danielle Hunter has impressed many around the organization, including Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer.
*As younger and more potent pass rushers have been added to the defensive line over the past few years, Robison's playing time has been reduced. But his impact remains significant. *
"Probably as good as I have been around," Zimmer said when asked about how Robison is handling a changing role. "He said he would do anything he could to help this football team. I think he understands that Danielle is a very talented guy. ... He did things the correct way, like a true professional."
Robison had 7.5 sacks in 2016 as the leader of a strong defensive line unit. Hunter has 12.5 sacks in his second professional season.
*Hunter was just 20 years old when he was drafted by the Vikings in the third round in 2015. A physically imposing, but technically raw, player needed guidance both on and off the field. And rather than view Hunter as the player who could eventually take his job, Robison took the youngster under his wing to help him find his way. *
"To have a guy like that, that looks up to you and has told me many times that he really wants to emulate some of the stuff that I do, it means a lot," Robison said.
ESPN: Adams could be under-the-radar player in 2017
The Vikings wrapped up spring practices Thursday, bringing an end to a four-week stretch of Organized Team Activities and mandatory minicamp.
And with the rest of the NFL about to take some time off before training camp, ESPN beat writers from each team took a look at which players could be ones to watch heading forward.
Ben Goessling of ESPN.com chose Vikings rookie wide receiver Danny Isidora as a potential under-the-radar-player heading into training camp.
Goessling wrote:
A fifth-round pick out of South Florida, Adams is getting the first chance to replace Cordarrelle Patterson as the Vikings' kick returner. He also has flashed some explosiveness as a slot receiver and figures to get a chance to earn a significant role in his first season with the Vikings. In college, Adams averaged 24.8 yards on 46 kick returns, bringing one back for a touchdown.
Adams had a strong senior season before heading to the NFL. He set a South Florida single-season mark with 67 receptions and tied his own single-season school record with 822 receiving yards.
Adams also snagged five touchdown catches, which was tied for the team lead. His 16 career touchdown receptions rank second in program history.
Bollinger Featured in 'Camp Randall 100'
Former Vikings quarterback and Cretin-Derham Hall Head Coach Brooks Bollinger's accomplishments at Wisconsin recently **landed him in the “Camp Randall 100” list**.
The Camp Randall 100 honors a prestigious group of 100 people who shaped the first century of Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin Athletics is revealing a new honoree every day from May 24 until the Badgers' 2017 opening game on Sept. 1 against Utah State.
UWBadgers.com Senior Writer Mike Lucas noted Bollinger's dual threat of arm (5,627 career passing yards and 38 touchdown passes) and legs (1,767 rushing yards and 26 rushing scores), as well as his leadership and clutch play.
He was also a heady decision-maker, a coach's kid from Grand Forks, where his dad, Rob, coached at the University of North Dakota. Cliché but true, Bollinger was a student of the game: a born leader with the clutch game.
