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August 26, 2014 at 7:01 pm #5256
RamBillParticipantGreg Robinson still working to catch up
By Nick Wagonerhttp://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/10970/greg-robinson-still-working-to-catch-up
EARTH CITY, Mo. — Rookie offensive lineman Greg Robinson has been very open about the difficulties of adjusting to the NFL.
The St. Louis Rams haven’t made that adjustment any easier on him as they’ve tried to balance getting him plenty of work at his projected long-term spot (left tackle) and where they initially projected him for 2014 (left guard).
With one preseason game remaining and the start of the regular season coming next week, Robinson’s status as the projected starter at left guard appears uncertain.
After starting the first two preseason games, one at each position, Robinson didn’t start against Cleveland last week. He did play a team-high 58 snaps at left guard. Robinson said Tuesday he doesn’t have a “steady position.”
“They said I’ve been making too many mistakes and the real bullets are about to start flying,” Robinson said. “What I think about that is it’s not how you start, it’s about how you finish. You never know what happens and when my opportunity presents itself I pray that I’m going to be ready.”
Beyond prayer, it would probably benefit Robinson to get a chance to work more exclusively at one spot or the other, particularly at guard. But that has been a process made more complicated by various injuries to others on the offensive line.
Left tackle Jake Long is still working his way back from knee surgery and clearly has plenty of rust to knock off before the season starts. Rodger Saffold dealt with a stinger in his shoulder that kept him out for a spell. Those ailments have left Robinson working in a sort of de facto utility man role for most of camp.
According to Robinson, moving between the two positions is no longer a struggle in terms of understanding the offense so much as it is about fundamentals. Offensive line coach Paul Boudreau points to hand usage, in particular, as the biggest change in technique, something he’s seen before including with former Rams (then 49ers) lineman Harvey Dahl before he coached him in Atlanta.
“If you put a tackle in at guard, they learn to use their hands a lot better than when they play tackle,” Boudreau said. “Tackle you can leave your hands down by your side for a while. Orlando (Pace) used to come out and never use his left hand until he had to. At guard, they’re on you right now, you better use your hands so in the long run it’s going to help him use his hands faster, a lot better and more efficient.”
Beyond his hands and growing accustomed to the phone booth sized space that accompanies playing guard, Robinson has other areas he’s working to adjust.
“It’s all about alignment and assignment, getting off on the snap count and taking proper steps so you really can’t miss a beat, no false steps,” Robinson said. “Those guys are trying to prepare me for the up-tempo and just helping me understand it’s a little bit faster and I have to think faster and on my feet.”
Earlier in camp, Boudreau related a story of Rams lineman Barrett Jones stopping Robinson and telling him that nothing comes easy in adjusting to the NFL. Jones essentially took a redshirt as a rookie while recovering from a foot injury and trying to catch up with all that goes into the NFL.
“He told Greg that last year was the worst year of his career,” Boudreau said. “It’s new, you’re in the NFL, it’s a different speed, whole different deal. You’re coming in and you’re a freshman all over again so the one thing about him is day to day you see something a little bit better than the day before. That’s all I’m looking for right now. It’s baby steps.”
Coach Jeff Fisher has downplayed Robinson’s coming off the bench but for now Saffold is handling left guard duties with Davin Joseph on the right while Robinson works to catch up. Whether that will happen in time to reach opening day as the starter remains to be seen.
In the meantime, Robinson acknowledges that it would be beneficial to settle in at one spot but understands why he hasn’t.
“It would be in my opinion but I’m just doing whatever the coaches ask of me because who says I’m going to just playing tackle?” Robinson said. “What if a guard goes down and I have to play guard and if a tackle goes down, I’d have to play tackle. So I’m just playing my role and just being there for the team.”
August 26, 2014 at 7:08 pm #5258
znModeratorThis article is different, because it;s interesting in its detail.
The quotations aren’t just strip-mined from press conferences, like most articles. NW went and talked to Robinson and Boudreau, asked follow-up questions.
August 27, 2014 at 1:17 am #5295RamBillParticipantRams notebook: Robinson experiences ups and downs of the NFL
• By Joe LyonsAs Greg Robinson readily admits, his first training camp and preseason with the Rams has had “its ups and downs.’’
But …
“Every day, I just try to come out and get better. I’m working hard and doing what the coaches ask of me,’’ said Robinson, the No. 2 overall selection in May’s draft.
A 6-foot-5, 332-pound left tackle who dominated in the run-heavy attack of the Auburn Tigers, Robinson has worked at both left tackle and left guard during camp.
He started the Rams’ first two preseason games and had communication and pass-blocking issues. In last weekend’s victory in Cleveland, he was replaced in the starting lineup by veteran Rodger Saffold but still ended up leading the team with 58 offensive snaps.
“I wanted to get Rodger some time early,’’ Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. “We knew that Greg was going to play both positions. … Greg played pretty well. Again, he got plenty of snaps. He’s improving. He’s going to be a really good player for us.’’
Robinson, 21, said that he is not frustrated and that this is just part of the learning process.
“Once I get both positions down pat, I’ll be good,’’ he said. “I’m not going to get down about anything. My main focus is just keep learning the offense and trying my best to do better.’”
Rams offensive line coach Paul Boudreau knows there’s work to do. But he sees loads of potential in Robinson.
“We’ve asked a lot of him,’’ the coach said. “We’re making him play two different positions and he’s just learning about the NFL, about defenses, the terminology and the verbiage. The first couple of weeks, he was thinking too much, but last week, we had him in one position, where he was able to settle down a little and he ended up playing pretty well.
“He just needs some time and experience because when he knows what to do and he’s doing it fast, he’s making some freakish plays.’’
CUTDOWN TO 75
The Rams reached the NFL limit Tuesday by placing quarterback Sam Bradford and center Demetrius Rhaney on injured reserve and waiving safety Matt Daniels and defensive end Sammy Brown.
NFL teams have until Saturday at 3 p.m. to finalize their 53-man rosters.
Rhaney, a 6-foot-2, 301-pounder from Tennessee State, was selected in the seventh round of May’s draft, one pick after the Rams chose Mizzou defensive end Michael Sam.
Daniels, a third-year pro from Duke, joined the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2012. That season, he suffered a season-ending knee injury when a teammate rolled up on him while he was blocking on a punt return in the Rams’ loss to the New England Patriots in London. Last year, in a very similar play, Daniels went down with a fractured ankle when a teammate rolled up on him on a kickoff return in the team’s Week 2 loss in Atlanta.
During the preseason, Daniels was in on three special teams snaps before going out with a concussion in the opening-week loss to New Orleans. After sitting out the loss to Green Bay, he recorded a tackle and an assist in last weekend’s win at Cleveland, taking part in 17 defensive snaps and another on special teams.
Like Daniels, Brown was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2012 following a standout career at the University of Houston. The 6-foot-2, 254-pound Brown spent much of the past two seasons on the Rams’ practice squad, taking part in one regular-season game, against San Francisco on Dec. 12, 2012.
He saw his only preseason action in the opener against New Orleans, finishing with four tackles, two quarterback pressures and one quarterback hit.
RAM-BLING
The Rams worked outside in the blistering heat Tuesday afternoon but only practiced for about 90 minutes. They close out their preseason schedule at 6 p.m. Thursday against the Dolphins in Miami.
Not practicing on Tuesday were wide receiver Justin Veltung (looks like a hamstring), cornerback Brandon McGee (ankle), defensive lineman Matt Conrath (undisclosed), defensive end Eugene Sims (knee), cornerback Trumaine Johnson (knee) and center-guard Barrett Jones (back).
Linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar did some running on the side, while Rodger Saffold (ankle) was a full go at left tackle and defensive tackles Michael Brockers (ankle) and Kendall Langford (ankle) participated in 11-on-11 drills.
Punter Johnny Hekker also missed practice.
• After practice Fisher did not disclose how much, if any, action his starters would see against the Dolphins.
“We’re working through it; we feel like we just finished up the Cleveland game,’’ the coach said. “We’re going to be selective and some may play more than others. Really, that’s all I can say now.’’
• Some other notable NFL cuts Tuesday: Former Mizzou defensive back Kevin Rutland was waived by Kansas City, while ex-Tigers teammate Eric Waters, a tight end, suffered the same fate in Pittsburgh. Dallas released former Illini defensive back Justin Green.
Miami terminated the contract of quarterback Brady Quinn, who signed with the Rams last year after Sam Bradford was injured. Another former Rams quarterback, Thad Lewis, was waived by Buffalo on Tuesday.
Former Mizzou quarterback James Franklin cleared waivers after being cut by Detroit on Monday.
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