Vikings: Robinson released, Dwight Smith in trouble, may be interested in Branch

[Nick]

The Minnesota Vikings have released the following 8 players:

PLAYER.............. POS......... SCHOOL......................... EXPERIENCE
Sean Bubin................. T........ Illinois............................... 1st Year
Manase Hopoi.......... DT........ Washington...................... Rookie
Aaron Hosack......... WR........ Minnesota......................... 1st Year
Brandon Jones......... FB........ Purdue............................. Rookie
Marcus Lawrence..... LB........ South Carolina................. 1st Year
Koren Robinson.... WR........ North Carolina State........ 6th Year
Ahmad Treaudo.......... S........ Southern.......................... 1st Year
Mark Wilson............... G........ California.......................... 2nd Year

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Vikings' Dwight Smith cited for indecent conduct
Tom Ford, Star Tribune
Last update: August 26, 2006 – 4:38 PM

Minneapolis police cited Minnesota Vikings safety Dwight Smith and a 24-year-old Hudson woman for indecent conduct about 1:30 a.m. today in downtown.

Officers released Smith, 28, a sixth-year player signed as a free agent last month by the Vikings, and the woman at the scene at 601 1st Av. N. according to a police report about the incident.

Smith and the woman were found in a stairwell after police received a call, Lt. Thomas Rice said this morning.

Smith played in the Vikings' Friday night preseason game at the Metrodome against the Baltimore Ravens. The game ended just after 10 p.m.

Smith is expected to be a starter in the Vikings' defensive backfield this year. He previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints.

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Vikings might be interested in Patriots' Branch
By JUDD ZULGAD AND KEVIN SEIFERT
Last update: August 26, 2006 – 12:07 AM

With receiver Koren Robinson possibly facing a yearlong suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, the Vikings could be among the teams that inquire about disgruntled New England receiver Deion Branch.

The Patriots gave Branch and his representatives permission Friday to seek out potential suitors for a trade and to negotiate a contract with another team. New England, of course, will have final say on whether it will accept the terms of another team's offer. Branch, unhappy with his contract, has held out of camp. It's probable the Patriots will be looking for a high draft pick.

The Vikings still have 11 receivers on their roster, including Robinson, but don't necessarily have a No. 1-type guy.

He already is a "Stage 3" member of the league's substance-abuse policy, meaning another violation would mandate a one-year suspension.

Branch, 27, was the Patriots' leading receiver last season with 78 catches for 998 yards and five touchdowns. He is entering the last season of a five-year deal he signed after being taken in the second round in 2002. Branch is due to earn a base salary of $1.05 million this year. His agent did not return calls Friday night.

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