Early struggles raise concerns but don't diminish potential of Rams rookie Greg Robinson
By Luke Thompson
FOX Sports Midwest
http://www.foxsports.com/midwest/st...potential-of-rams-rookie-greg-robinson-090514
ST. LOUIS -- Rookie offensive lineman Greg Robinson must be getting tired of all the questions.
They began during the preseason, when the No. 2 overall pick showed signs of struggling to grasp the Rams' offensive system while playing both guard and tackle. They intensified earlier this week, when the depth chart and coach Jeff Fisher confirmed Robinson won't be starting in Sunday's opener against Minnesota.
So far, the 21-year-old All-American out of Auburn has been giving all the right answers. No, he's not disappointed. Yes, he's working hard and learning every day from the veterans. No, his goals for the season haven't changed.
"I'm just taking my time, day-by-day, practice-by-practice and doing what coaches ask of me," Robinson says. "I feel if I keep working at getting better each day, I'll be successful."
That may be true, but it's hard to imagine this is where Robinson expected to be when commissioner Roger Goodell called his name back in May. History shows the top two picks in the NFL draft rarely watch the first game primarily from the sideline.
The last time it happened was in 2007, when Oakland took eventual bust JaMarcus Russell with the first overall pick. More successful exceptions include quarterbacks Alex Smith in 2005 and Eli Manning in 2004, though the latter forced a trade from San Diego to New York before any games began.
Perhaps the most encouraging precedent for Robinson comes in the form of Robert Gallery, a tackle selected second overall by Oakland in 2004. He's the last non-quarterback top two pick to not start in his opener, but he cracked the lineup in Week 2 and went on to have a respectable eight-year career that included a move to guard, the less prominent of the two positions.
It's safe to say expectations are still higher than that for Robinson, a 6-foot-5, 332-pound monster of a man who was compared favorably to 1997 No. 1 pick Orlando Pace, a five time All-Pro selection. Coach Jeff Fisher says it's far too early to set any limits on Robinson's immense potential.
"He's going to be an outstanding player," Fisher said. "Our focus right now is putting the guys on the field that we think gives us our best chance to win right now."
Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer echoes some of those sentiments, praising Robinson for never losing his confidence. When the coaching staff decided to play Robinson at multiple positions, Schottenheimer says a few growing pains were expected.
It's also a huge difference from how Robinson played as a tackle at Auburn, where the Tigers basically just ran over all their opponents. He talks a lot about playing time opportunities with former Auburn teammate Tre Mason, and perhaps it's no surprise the Rams' third round pick has stayed low on the depth chart because of pass blocking issues despite showing some serious raw talent when carrying the football.
"I think with Greg it's more of the consistency aspect that we're looking for," Schottenheimer said. "He'll have some great plays and then he'll make a mental mistake, but he's working."
That means extra time in the meeting rooms with offensive line coach Paul Boudreau, and Robinson's fellow lineman are quick to compliment the rookie's work ethic. Starters Jake Long and Rodger Saffold have seen plenty of improvement and a willingness to learn from the team's core of experienced veterans.
But at the same time, Saffold said Robinson's still learning to perfect his craft and maintain the high expectations of the more established offensive linemen. That constant attention to detail when it comes to technique may determine whether Robinson earns a starting spot.
"That all depends on what he does," said Saffold, a versatile fifth-year pro slated to start at left guard. "When it comes right down to it, what he does and what he shows on film, the way he puts on in practice is eventually going to show him where he deserves to be."
Finding a spot on the Rams' experienced offensive line should be well within reach for Robinson, but it won't be easy. Long and Joe Barksdale appear to be solid options at tackle, while Saffold and center Scott Wells have combined for 85 starts over the past four seasons.
That leaves one spot currently occupied by Davin Joseph, the right guard for Sunday's season opener. He struggled so much last season Tampa Bay cut him with one year left on his contract in March. Joseph does, however, still have the advantage of 100 games and even two Pro Bowl appearances with the Buccaneers.
Schottenheimer called Joseph probably one of the strongest players on the O-line, a crucial skill for a team looking to establish the run early and create holes for its tailbacks. Long said that mentality will be particularly crucial in the first game of the season to open up the passing game for new quarterback Shaun Hill.
It's not unreasonable to expect Robinson should have been ready to start by now. Still, if he's not yet ready for that role, the Rams are better off letting him develop at his own pace rather than forcing him into a position that could be uncomfortable for him or hurt the team.
It's far too early to label the rookie a bust in the mold of Baylor tackle Jason Smith, St. Louis' No. 2 overall pick who had some concussion issues as a rookie and was traded in 2012 before being released by the Jets and Saints. But the atypical nature of Robinson's early struggles should probably raise some alarms.
