Brian Robison runs the gamut as he retires from Vikings

Onlookers had a hunch when Vikings defensive end Brian Robison opened Wednesday's retirement news conference with a goal to keep it "short and simple" that the first part may have been slightly disingenuous.

Robison was pure "B-Rob" during a nearly hourlong farewell inside TCO Performance Center in Eagan, where he said he wanted to tell his story. He launched into a 34-minute monologue of laughs, tears and memories from his childhood in Splendor, Texas, to his 11-year NFL career in Minnesota, which ended last summer when he was unexpectedly cut by the Vikings.

With a written speech, Robison came as prepared as he did for 173 games in purple and gold. Many thanks were shared face to face, with…