Center of controversy

Mysterious circumstances surround Robbins' dismissal

SAN DIEGO -- I am taken aback by the fact that one of the truly important players in this game has been sent home by Oakland Raiders coach Bill Callahan. All-Pro center Barret Robbins, who apparently was AWOL from the team all day Saturday, was dispatched back to Oakland this morning, according to ESPN's Ed Werder.

I called Werder, an old friend of mine, when I heard the report. I'm sure he's on the money.

I contacted Raiders senior assistant Bruce Allen. Allen said, cryptically: "Bill just sent [Robbins] away for a while. We sent him away from the hotel this morning."

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Allen declined to provide specifics, and he would not say for sure that Robbins will not play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII. Robbins would have been a vital cog in keeping the Bucs' strong interior rush, led by tackle Warren Sapp and linebacker Derrick Brooks, off Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon's hide. It appears backup center and long-snapper Adam Treu will play in Robbins' place.

Strange. I was the Raiders pool reporter for the 2,300 or so writers here at the Super Bowl this week, and I did see Robbins limping at times during the week. But he took part in practice as normal Thursday and Friday, so I thought: Well, he'll tough it out. I am now suspicious about being kept at arm's length from Saturday's practice. I got to the workout at Qualcomm Stadium at the appointed time, and the yellow-coated security officals kept me away from the field until the Raiders were walking off the field. I was peeved, but I chalked it up to overly aggressive security. Now, I don't know.

I did get to talk to Callahan after practice, and one of the questions I asked was: "Will you have all 53 active players to choose from when you select your active roster [Sunday]?" Callahan said yes.

"That was absolutely true," Allen confirmed Sunday morning. "We still thought [Robbins] would be with us."

Now we have another interesting storyline, an angle besides the Jon Gruden-Al Davis Hype Bowl, to take into this game. And now Adam Treu becomes the man with the X on his chest, as Tampa Bay takes aim. How will the Bucs attack him? Stay tuned.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Peter King covers the NFL beat for the magazine and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com. He will file daily for CNNSI.com throughout Super Bowl week.

 

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