Wagoner: Greg Robinson

Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › Wagoner: Greg Robinson

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • July 22, 2015 at 4:14 pm #27463
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    Key Rams for 2015: Offensive tackle Greg Robinson

    Nick Wagoner

    http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/19610/key-rams-for-2015-offensive-tackle-greg-robinson

    EARTH CITY, Mo. — Before the St. Louis Rams report for training camp next week, we’re taking a look at five players returning to the team who will need to provide more if the team is going to be a playoff contender in 2015.

    We continue with offensive tackle Greg Robinson.

    Why more is needed: It’s probably not fair to Robinson to expect him to become one of the primary bedrocks of the offensive line in just his second season, especially given how much of a learning curve he had when he entered the league. But he was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft and many would argue that draft position alone should bring expectations for production right away. No matter where you come in on that discussion, though, there’s no doubt that the Rams need Robinson to take a big step forward this season. That’s because, despite starting just 12 NFL games, Robinson is the second-most experienced projected starter on the team’s offensive line going into the year. Adding more pressure to the job is the fact that Robinson plays the most important position on the line and will be responsible for new quarterback Nick Foles’ blind side. Robinson flashed potential as a rookie but was better at guard than he was at tackle after moving to the outside. There’s no denying the size and ability that Robinson has but the Rams simply don’t have the time to be patient with him. Robinson had offseason toe surgery but should be at full strength and ready to go when the season starts.

    What the Rams need from him: Left guard Rodger Saffold is the only starter on the line with more starting experience than Robinson but Robinson is already in a position where he needs to become a leader for a young line. Beyond that, the Rams need him to play and produce like a former No. 2 overall pick. For Robinson, that means showing rapid improvement, particularly as a pass blocker. Robinson had a tendency to get lost in pass protection, particularly when defensive lines ran stunts and games at him and was also occasionally over aggressive in the run game. The Rams need Robinson to handle talented pass-rushers without having to offer much help and be a hammer in the run game. If he can do that, it would allow rookies Jamon Brown (right guard) and Rob Havenstein (right tackle) and whoever starts at center a little more leeway to get help from tight ends and running backs in pass protection.

    Outlook: The good news is that none of the issues Robinson had as a rookie seemed to be physical and were correctable simply by gaining more experience and learning the nuances of the position. Robinson earned praise from the coaching staff during the offseason for his commitment to sharpening up that aspect of his game and Robinson said he and Saffold spent a lot of time together studying film and ironing out details. Likewise, Robinson can settle in at left tackle and devote himself to the position rather than bouncing between guard and tackle like he did as a rookie. It seems unlikely Robinson will make the leap to a Pro Bowl level or better but there are plenty of reasons to believe he’ll be markedly better in 2015.

    July 22, 2015 at 4:36 pm #27464
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    I like Robinson and he will be good. But it is more likely to happen next year than this year. There is just too much to learn about the NFL and in general and pass blocking in particular. He is young and he just hasn’t had that much experience. Think Brian Quick. I think he will be adequate this year, but there will be growing pains. imo

    Agamemnon

    July 23, 2015 at 6:02 pm #27490
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator
    Agamemnon wrote:

    I like Robinson and he will be good. But it is more likely to happen next year than this year. There is just too much to learn about the NFL and in general and pass blocking in particular. He is young and he just hasn’t had that much experience. Think Brian Quick. I think he will be adequate this year, but there will be growing pains. imo

    Well the thing is, you can still play some offense with a struggling young line, IMO.

    What you can’t do is make up for having lots of OL injuries at the same time.

    But these guys have a lot of promise. So it’s going to be fun to see how they do when they hit stride. Which, you’re right, will more like be in 2016, not 15.

    July 23, 2015 at 6:04 pm #27491
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant
    zn wrote:
    Agamemnon wrote:

    I like Robinson and he will be good. But it is more likely to happen next year than this year. There is just too much to learn about the NFL and in general and pass blocking in particular. He is young and he just hasn’t had that much experience. Think Brian Quick. I think he will be adequate this year, but there will be growing pains. imo

    Well the thing is, you can still play some offense with a struggling young line, IMO.

    What you can’t do is make up for having lots of OL injuries at the same time.

    But these guys have a lot of promise. So it’s going to be fun to see how they do when they hit stride. Which, you’re right, will more like be in 2016, not 15.

    I didn’t say it wasn’t the right thing to do and what I said has nothing to do with injuries. I just think it is wrong to expect too much from Robinson this year.

    Because he just hasn’t had a lot of experience playing and especially pass blocking.

    Agamemnon

    July 23, 2015 at 6:11 pm #27495
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator
    Agamemnon wrote:

    I like Robinson and he will be good. But it is more likely to happen next year than this year. There is just too much to learn about the NFL and in general and pass blocking in particular. He is young and he just hasn’t had that much experience. Think Brian Quick. I think he will be adequate this year, but there will be growing pains. imo

    Agamemnon wrote:

    Well the thing is, you can still play some offense with a struggling young line, IMO.

    What you can’t do is make up for having lots of OL injuries at the same time.

    But these guys have a lot of promise. So it’s going to be fun to see how they do when they hit stride. Which, you’re right, will more like be in 2016, not 15.

    Agamemnon wrote:

    I didn’t say it wasn’t the right thing to do and what I said has nothing to do with injuries. I just think it is wrong to expect too much from Robinson this year.

    Because he just hasn’t had a lot of experience playing and especially pass blocking.

    Oh I know. I wasn’t disagreeing with you. More like I was just going off on my own thing. Going sideways from your point, in basic agreement.

    I agree about not expecting too much from GR, and I didn’t think you brought up injuries. That was just me going “I agree, oh and another thing, plus I like smoked pork on Sundays.”

    July 23, 2015 at 6:19 pm #27497
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant
    zn wrote:

    Oh I know. I wasn’t disagreeing with you. More like I was just going off on my own thing. Going sideways from your point, in basic agreement.

    I agree about not expecting too much from GR, and I didn’t think you brought up injuries. That was just me going “I agree, oh and another thing, plus I like smoked pork on Sundays.”

    I think the Rams have done a lot to add depth to help with injury concerns and solve the continuity problem in physics, this problem has plagued the Big Bang Theory. It is just do they have enough experience?

    Agamemnon

    July 24, 2015 at 8:00 am #27513
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator
    Agamemnon wrote:

    It is just do they have enough experience?

    Yeah that’s going to bear watching. How much will OL inexperience hold them back this year? I mean we know it will…but it’s going to be interesting to see how much it holds them back.

    (BTW I left you a pm on FB.)

  • Author
    Posts
Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

Comments are closed.