Sunday, January 26
Report: Raiders send All-Pro center home
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Associated Press home.<
SAN DIEGO (AP) _ The Oakland Raiders sent All-Pro center Barret Robbins home Sunday after he showed up late for the team's final meeting the night before the Super Bowl, ESPN reported.
Earlier Sunday, CBS SportsLine.com reported that Robbins missed several team events Saturday and didn't return until later in the evening. The Web site, citing sources it did not identify, said coach Bill Callahan told the team Robbins would be benched in favor of backup Adam Treu.
Robbins, a 6-foot-3, 320-pound player in his eighth season, was expected to help contain Tampa Bay's formidable defensive front, led by All-Pro tackle Warren Sapp. Robbins anchors a line that gave league MVP Rich Gannon enough time to throw for 4,689 yards and direct the NFL's most potent offense.
Robbins was selected to his first Pro Bowl this season, joining tackle Lincoln Kennedy on the team.
Robbins also has been bothered by a foot injury for much of the season, and he was listed as questionable for Sunday's game.
Robbins, who broke into the Raiders' starting lineup in 1996, injured his right knee last season and missed the final 14 games. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Treu took his place.