Convinced his problems were in the past, the Vikings signed him to be their top receiver with a new three-year contract in March worth up to $12.7 million that included $5.5 million in guaranteed money.

“Just in doing my research, I thought he was in a good place,” Childress said.

In July, Robinson strongly denied a report that he had slipped out of sobriety. He said in an interview that he was taking some relapse prevention classes in preparation for the season, when there’s less time to work on maintaining his recovery and more stress from a pressure to perform and a burden on the body.

“I’m not in rehab. I’m still doing good. I’m still not drinking. I’m still working out. I’m still Koren, the cheerful, happy guy you all saw last year,” he said then.

Robinson also said he knew he’d always be under scrutiny as a recovering alcoholic.

“What a demon it must be,” Childress said. “I saw no indications out here. He was having a great training camp. Obviously, it was too strong of power and too strong of an influence.”

The Vikings have become infamous for finding trouble off the field, including their lewd boat party last fall that led to misdemeanors for four players, though charges against former quarterback Daunte Culpepper were dropped.

Owner Zygi Wilf, who completed his purchase of the club last summer, has vowed to clean up the team’s image in the community.

“One of the reasons I’m here in this job and one of the mandates from the Wilf family is that they want this ship run right,” Childress said. “I am trying to create a culture of accountability.”

Other Vikings said little about the situation.

“We’re all adults. You have to be responsible for your actions,” cornerback Antoine Winfield. “He did what he did. It’s over. We have to move on.”

Travis Taylor, who filled Robinson’s spot with the first team during Wednesday’s practice, talked to the other receivers about staying together.

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Flying on the hardwood, racing on the rink, getting physical on the gridiron, and much more. more photos

“I love Koren as a friend. Forget football. It doesn’t matter,” he said. “I love Koren dearly. That’s the bottom line.”

At Seattle’s camp, coach Mike Holmgren said he was saddened by the news.

“When he was with us, I rooted for him. I tried to help him. I felt I kind of failed the kid somehow,” Holmgren said. “He’s got to get a grip on this before something bad happens.”

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