Greg Robinson still awaiting his opportunity — Wagoner

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October 9, 2014 at 5:29 pm #9382

RamBill
Participant

Greg Robinson still awaiting his opportunity
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/12455/greg-robinson-still-awaiting-his-opportunity

EARTH CITY, Mo. — The first quarter of St. Louis Rams offensive lineman Greg Robinson’s rookie season has passed. But if you’re looking to assign him a grade, you’d probably have to go with an “I.” As in incomplete.

That’s because Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick in May’s draft, remains stuck in a reserve role when it comes to offense. Most of his contributions have come while blocking on special teams. Through four games, Robinson has played just 10 snaps on offense, filling in briefly for Rodger Saffold in the opener against Minnesota.

After another rough day at the office for the offensive line against Philadelphia last week — especially in the first half — it’s left many to wonder why Robinson isn’t getting an opportunity to at least get some work in games.

Since the Rams drafted Robinson, it’s been well known that it would take him some time to get used to pass blocking at the NFL level, but the Rams did him no favors by having him bounce between tackle and guard throughout the preseason. Robinson is still going back and forth during practice.

When asked about Robinson’s progress earlier this week, coach Jeff Fisher gave his standard response.

“Greg just needs to keep doing what he’s doing,” Fisher said. “He’s gotten much better over the last couple of weeks. He’s got a good feel for both of the positions. And just keep learning, working. He’s working hard on the practice field.”

The question then becomes when that hard work on the practice field will translate into actual playing time on Sundays. Considering the injury histories of four of the Rams’ starting offensive line linemen — tackle Jake Long, guards Saffold and Davin Joseph and center Scott Wells — it would seem entirely possible that Robinson will get his chance at some point.

But that’s not really the point. Joseph has mostly struggled in the first four games, failing to provide consistency in pass protection and not generating much push in the run game. For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus has Joseph down for allowing one sack, six quarterback hits and eight quarterback hurries in the first four games, not to mention three penalties (one offsetting).

If they wanted, the Rams could easily plug Robinson in at left guard and kick Saffold over to right guard in place of Joseph. Or, barring that, they could at least get Robinson in the game as part of a rotation, something they were willing to do last year at times.

Even if you operate under the assumption that Robinson will have his share of hiccups, especially as a pass blocker — and he will — why not get him in there to take some lumps while also adding a player who might be able to help the run game somewhere else besides the left side? If both Joseph and Robinson are going to have issues protecting quarterback Austin Davis, wouldn’t it be worth seeing if Robinson can provide more punch in the run game?

The Rams are about to enter the teeth of their schedule with physical matchups against San Francisco and Seattle over the next two weeks. Robinson was drafted for just these types of games. But he can’t help the Rams stare down the neighborhood bullies if he’s not allowed to leave the house.

October 10, 2014 at 1:28 pm #9421

snowman
Participant

I don’t have anything to back this up but I think kids that come out for the draft early like Robinson have a tough time adjusting to the responsibilities of professional football. He is not physically mature yet and has a harder time adjusting to the mental requirements of playing LOT.

I didn’t think he would be an immediate starter so I am OK with where he is at now. It’s going to take another year or two before he can be written into the starting lineup in ink, not pencil.

October 10, 2014 at 1:58 pm #9422

wv
Participant

I still like the Robinson pick.

But Matthews was certainly
the safer pick.

w
v

October 13, 2014 at 2:04 am #9527

zn
Moderator

from off the net

===

jrry32

The choice isn’t A) get an immediate impact player that turns into a stud or B) get a player that develops into a stud a couple years down the road. It’s more of a percentage breakdown. I actually just ran the numbers out of curiosity, for the players drafted in the first round from 2000 to 2004(did this so the final class would have a decade in the league so there was no question about what a guy developed into) the percentage breakdown is:

15% are immediate impact players that develop into studs

15% are not immediate impact players that develop into studs

15% are immediate impact players that develop into starters (but not studs)

15% are not immediate impact players that develop into starters(but not studs)

40% are busts

So I’m not going to complain if it takes a guy 2-3 years to develop into a stud or even a quality starter because he could have very well been a bust. And that’s ONLY looking at FIRST ROUND PICKS over that 5 year period.

Schemes, playbooks, responsibilities, and terminology differ greatly from college football to pro football. It’s not something you just know from playing football; it’s something you have to learn. It’s not about learning HOW to block. It’s about knowing what to do on each given play based on what the defense is showing both pre and post-snap.

I can easily believe that Robinson didn’t/doesn’t understand what’s going on enough to be more productive than Joseph because I’ve seen other young players forced onto the field in similar circumstances and make tons of mental errors due to that…errors that really hurt their team and hindered that player’s development.

People underestimate the mental side of playing on the line. If Robinson can’t be trusted to decipher and pick-up blitzes/stunts, he’s more of a liability than Joseph.

Joseph is good for a few irritatingly bad plays each game but doesn’t screw up on every play. If Robinson goes out there and can’t pick the blitz up, he’s going to get Davis pummeled. Because teams will recognize that and blitz the hell out of him. Worst of all, you risk destroying Robinson’s confidence and undoing the technical work you’ve done to this point. The Rams will get him on the field when he’s ready. If we know that Joseph is bad, you better bet the Rams do.

Why can other rookies start and be successful? Players mature and learn at their own pace…just like people. Some learn quicker than others. Some are more ready because of practical experience than others. Keep in mind that Matthews was a Senior, Robinson was a Sophomore. Matthews started four years in college. Robinson started two years in college. Matthews is the son of a HOF NFL OL and a current NFL OL Coach.

Hopefully, Robinson can be the difference maker on the OL when he plays.

October 13, 2014 at 5:04 am #9529
znhater
Blocked
zn wrote:

from off the net

===

Jrry32

The choice isn’t A) get an immediate impact player that turns into a stud or B) get a player that develops into a stud a couple years down the road. It’s more of a percentage breakdown. I actually just ran the numbers out of curiosity, for the players drafted in the first round from 2000 to 2004(did this so the final class would have a decade in the league so there was no question about what a guy developed into) the percentage breakdown is:

15% are immediate impact players that develop into studs

15% are not immediate impact players that develop into studs

15% are immediate impact players that develop into starters (but not studs)

15% are not immediate impact players that develop into starters(but not studs)

40% are busts

So I’m not going to complain if it takes a guy 2-3 years to develop into a stud or even a quality starter because he could have very well been a bust. And that’s ONLY looking at FIRST ROUND PICKS over that 5 year period.

Schemes, playbooks, responsibilities, and terminology differ greatly from college football to pro football. It’s not something you just know from playing football; it’s something you have to learn. It’s not about learning HOW to block. It’s about knowing what to do on each given play based on what the defense is showing both pre and post-snap.

I can easily believe that Robinson didn’t/doesn’t understand what’s going on enough to be more productive than Joseph because I’ve seen other young players forced onto the field in similar circumstances and make tons of mental errors due to that…errors that really hurt their team and hindered that player’s development.

People underestimate the mental side of playing on the line. If Robinson can’t be trusted to decipher and pick-up blitzes/stunts, he’s more of a liability than Joseph.

Joseph is good for a few irritatingly bad plays each game but doesn’t screw up on every play. If Robinson goes out there and can’t pick the blitz up, he’s going to get Davis pummeled. Because teams will recognize that and blitz the hell out of him. Worst of all, you risk destroying Robinson’s confidence and undoing the technical work you’ve done to this point. The Rams will get him on the field when he’s ready. If we know that Joseph is bad, you better bet the Rams do.

Why can other rookies start and be successful? Players mature and learn at their own pace…just like people. Some learn quicker than others. Some are more ready because of practical experience than others. Keep in mind that Matthews was a Senior, Robinson was a Sophomore. Matthews started four years in college. Robinson started two years in college. Matthews is the son of a HOF NFL OL and a current NFL OL Coach.

Hopefully, Robinson can be the difference maker on the OL when he plays.

I’ve seen Robinson play. He’s going to be a beast. I seen Jason Smith play, and he wasn’t ever going to be a beast. So i don’t like that comparison. I think Jake long is finished after this season anyway so Robinson will be playing there very soon imo.
- This reply was modified 10 years, 1 month ago by znhater.
- This reply was modified 10 years, 1 month ago by znhater.
October 13, 2014 at 7:31 am #9532

wv
Participant

jrry32

The choice isn’t A) get an immediate impact player that turns into a stud or B) get a player that develops into a stud a couple years down the road. It’s more of a percentage breakdown. I actually just ran the numbers out of curiosity, for the players drafted in the first round from 2000 to 2004(did this so the final class would have a decade in the league so there was no question about what a guy developed into) the percentage breakdown is:

15% are immediate impact players that develop into studs

15% are not immediate impact players that develop into studs

15% are immediate impact players that develop into starters (but not studs)

15% are not immediate impact players that develop into starters(but not studs)

40% are busts

So I’m not going to complain if it takes a guy 2-3 years to develop into a stud or even a quality starter because he could have very well been a bust. And that’s ONLY looking at FIRST ROUND PICKS over that 5 year period.

Schemes, playbooks, responsibilities, and terminology differ greatly from college football to pro football. It’s not something you just know from playing football; it’s something you have to learn. It’s not about learning HOW to block. It’s about knowing what to do on each given play based on what the defense is showing both pre and post-snap.

I can easily believe that Robinson didn’t/doesn’t understand what’s going on enough to be more productive than Joseph because I’ve seen other young players forced onto the field in similar circumstances and make tons of mental errors due to that…errors that really hurt their team and hindered that player’s development.

People underestimate the mental side of playing on the line. If Robinson can’t be trusted to decipher and pick-up blitzes/stunts, he’s more of a liability than Joseph.

Joseph is good for a few irritatingly bad plays each game but doesn’t screw up on every play. If Robinson goes out there and can’t pick the blitz up, he’s going to get Davis pummeled. Because teams will recognize that and blitz the hell out of him. Worst of all, you risk destroying Robinson’s confidence and undoing the technical work you’ve done to this point. The Rams will get him on the field when he’s ready. If we know that Joseph is bad, you better bet the Rams do.

Why can other rookies start and be successful? Players mature and learn at their own pace…just like people. Some learn quicker than others. Some are more ready because of practical experience than others. Keep in mind that Matthews was a Senior, Robinson was a Sophomore. Matthews started four years in college. Robinson started two years in college. Matthews is the son of a HOF NFL OL and a current NFL OL Coach.

Hopefully, Robinson can be the difference maker on the OL when he plays.

Well, but Snisher could have chosen
a stud who started immediately – Matthews.
We know Matthews wont be a ‘bust’.

So did Snisher make the right pick?

Robinson is gonna have to be
better than Matthews
for it to have been the right pick.

w
v

October 13, 2014 at 11:19 am #9539

sdram
Participant

Robinson will have to be at least as good or better than Mathews.

I’d guess that Robinson will get plenty of playing time the second half of the season. I think we’ll get to see what he’s got before it’s all said and done.
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