Aaron Donald on A'Shawn Robinson: 'He knows we need him to step up big time'

[CoachAllred]

Aaron Donald on A'Shawn Robinson: 'He knows we need him to step up big time'​

Cameron DaSilva

July 30, 2021 4:30 am PT


A’Shawn Robinson was one of the Rams’ big free-agent additions last offseason, signing him to a two-year contract worth $17 million. His first season in L.A. didn’t go according to plan, however, as he missed the first eight games while on the non-football injury list.
Hopefully he can bounce back with a better 2021 campaign now that he’s fully healthy and even slimmed down, playing at 308 pounds. He’s expected to step in as the starting defensive end after Michael Brockers was traded, and those in Los Angeles know how important a player he is.
Aaron Donald said this week that Robinson knows the Rams are counting on him to come through.
“He knows we need him to step up big time for us this year, it’s that leadership role for him now. So, he’s got to be ready, he’s got to be pure because we’re depending on him. He put the body of work and it’s going to pay off this year for himself,” Donald said.
Not only does Donald believe Robinson must step up, but he’s confident the former Lions defensive lineman will hold his own in place of Brockers.
“Him being gone, there is definitely going to be a void,” Donald said of Brockers. “But A’Shawn is going to step up big time for us and hold it down and make a lot of plays for us.”
Losing weight was a goal of Robinson’s this offseason after talking to his coaches and trainers, and he’s shed about 22 pounds. He feels lighter and more explosive, which is a great thing for the Rams.
Donald doesn’t really care what weight Robinson is playing at as long as he can do his job and hold up against double teams.
“As long as you can still hold your double team, do what you need to do,” Donald said. “You might play a three-(technique), you might play a shade, you might play a four-(technique), might play a five-(technique). You just got to be able to transition to wherever they put you and be able to hold your own.”
Robinson doesn’t have to be a Pro Bowler next to Donald and Sebastian Joseph-Day. He just has to help fill the shoes of Brockers as a run defender and offer some help as a pass rusher. There’s no reason to believe he can’t do that.


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Aaron Donald admits he's beginning to feel older as he enters 8th season​

Skyler Carlin

July 29, 2021 7:41 am PT


Aaron Donald is coming off a season in which he won his third Defensive Player of the Year award (second in the past three seasons) and has long been considered the most dominant defensive player in the NFL. The Los Angeles Rams are grateful to have a freak of nature like Donald on the interior of their defense as they intend to compete for a Super Bowl in 2021.
Despite Donald not showing any signs of slowing down anytime soon, the All-Pro interior defender admitted that he’s beginning to feel his age catching up to him with training camp getting underway.
“Yeah, I’m getting older. I feel it. My aches and pains last a little longer, so I definitely feel it,” he said.
Donald, who turned 30 back in May, has been the definition of reliable for the Rams as he’s missed just two games in his entire career. The veteran interior lineman is known for taking good care of his body during the offseason, but he shared that his recovery takes a bit longer now than it did earlier in his career.
Even though Donald uttered that he’s feeling different at this point in his career, Sean McVay isn’t concerned with a possible decline in Donald’s explosiveness entering the 2021 campaign.
“No, I do not. He looks pretty damn good to me,” McVay said with a laugh. “He has got that same look in his eye. He looks good. He had a good first day. We know that he’s working hard. I think he’s going to pick up right where he left off and what he has done since I’ve been fortunate enough to be around him has been pretty spectacular. He is one-of-one.”
As Donald continues to strengthen his resume for the Hall of Fame, he’s the odds-on favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year again in 2021. Barring an unforeseen massive drop-off in his performance, there shouldn’t be any worries with Donald as he takes the field for the first time in his 30s this year.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Robinson 17 passes defensed in 66 games
Brockers 9 passes defensed in 138 games

Loved his leadership, but it always bothered me how such a tall DLineman didn't have more PDs.

 

[Merlin]

Robinson's halfass film bothers me way more than any of Brock's less-than-stellar seasons. He's just tough to figure in terms of what you're gonna get. So I am hopeful that he's poised for a good season but then again some guys gonna be who they are. We'll see but I am glad they drafted Brown in large part because I don't trust this dude.

 

[RocknRam29]

View: https://twitter.com/rclemente2121/status/1423753052410892289

 

[oldnotdead]

Robinson knows he has to step up or be gone. At least he was motivated to lose weight and work on his quickness and technique. He also needs to avoid getting complacent. With Gaines, Hoecht and now B. Brown it might be too late. His cap hit goes up to $9.5M next year. He carries a dead cap of $5.5M next year. He's going to have to dominate at NT to justify $9.5M. Morris mentioning Copeland was interesting. He's capable of playing a 1T if Morris plays a conventional 3-4 hybrid scheme. Both Hoecht and Brown can play both 1T and 0T. Whereas Gaines and Copeland are better in a 1 gap scheme. Robinson makes the team this year but I think he's priced himself out of a job next year as the Rams have too many good options. Robinson would have to really step up but still have to restructure and stay in that $5-$6M / yr range for the Rams to consider keeping him. Robinson has 2 more years on his contract as due to his injury he was extended an extra year.

The way Hoecht has looked I wouldn't be surprised if Snead and McVay tried to move Robinson. The Chargers have a big question mark at NT with Tillery bordering on a bust. Staley might be interested in Robinson if the price is right. I think pairing Hoecht and AD inside would be an upgrade. Michael has size and AD like speed and quickness. He could slide to 3T on early downs to rest AD then move back to NT when AD comes in. Gaines and Brown can play NT on early downs. That would probably make the Ram front 4 the fastest in the NFL with Floyd, AD, and Hoecht timed in the 4.6 range and Hollins at 4.5. Moving Robinson is the only way they will get something for him.

 

[Tano]

Robinson knows he has to step up or be gone. At least he was motivated to lose weight and work on his quickness and technique. He also needs to avoid getting complacent. With Gaines, Hoecht and now B. Brown it might be too late. His cap hit goes up to $9.5M next year. He carries a dead cap of $5.5M next year. He's going to have to dominate at NT to justify $9.5M. Morris mentioning Copeland was interesting. He's capable of playing a 1T if Morris plays a conventional 3-4 hybrid scheme. Both Hoecht and Brown can play both 1T and 0T. Whereas Gaines and Copeland are better in a 1 gap scheme. Robinson makes the team this year but I think he's priced himself out of a job next year as the Rams have too many good options. Robinson would have to really step up but still have to restructure and stay in that $5-$6M / yr range for the Rams to consider keeping him. Robinson has 2 more years on his contract as due to his injury he was extended an extra year.

The way Hoecht has looked I wouldn't be surprised if Snead and McVay tried to move Robinson. The Chargers have a big question mark at NT with Tillery bordering on a bust. Staley might be interested in Robinson if the price is right. I think pairing Hoecht and AD inside would be an upgrade. Michael has size and AD like speed and quickness. He could slide to 3T on early downs to rest AD then move back to NT when AD comes in. Gaines and Brown can play NT on early downs. That would probably make the Ram front 4 the fastest in the NFL with Floyd, AD, and Hoecht timed in the 4.6 range and Hollins at 4.5. Moving Robinson is the only way they will get something for him.

I thought Robinson is a free agent next year. Am I wrong?

 

[Merlin]

The starting line I'd like to see week one:

3T: AD
1T: B Brown
5T: SJD

My rationale is AD is best with an anchor type near him who can eat blockers and pile things up a bit. B Brown hopefully can do that, and on the nose he doesn't have to really show too much penetration it's a dirty damn job but an important one. SJD has good enough length meanwhile to move out to 5T and his ability to move and stay on his feet plays well there too. We have Gaines to back up B Brown and rotate in with him often if necessary, and Gaines is like a damn boulder in a stream he just doesn't move that well.

Nice thing here is they can try Brown at different spots and worst case keep SJD/Gaines as a solid NT duo. But I would like to see someone who offers a little more oomph next to AD so hoping re: B Brown.