A'Shawn Robinson brings size, familiarity to Rams defense

[ROD-BOT]

A'Shawn Robinson a big, familiar addition to Rams defense

www.therams.com

A'Shawn Robinson brings size, familiarity to Rams defense

While playing pop warner football in Texas from 4th-8th grade, A'Shawn Robinson was so big for his age that his mother had to bring his birth certificate to every game to prove he was indeed playing with the group of peers.

"They thought I was a high school kid trying to play middle school," Robinson said on a video conference Thursday, laughing.

That size paved the way for a scholarship and standout three-year career at Alabama and becoming a second-round pick of the Detroit Lions in 2016. Today, the 6-foot-4, 330-pound Robinson is one of the newest members of the Rams defense.

Besides boasting a frame that will help Los Angeles' run defense, Robinson also brings a sense of familiarity.

While he spent his first four years in the NFL in Detroit, he was already well-acquainted with L.A. defensive tackle Aaron Donald and safety John Johnson III by way of working out at Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California. He said most of the players he worked out with there were Rams players.

"At Mamba, (Aaron and I) worked out a little bit right before all this happened, so I got to talk to him a little bit," Robinson said. "Being in the meetings, talking to him, (Michael) Brockers and the rest of the guys, it's been cool getting to know everybody."

As Robinson alluded to, the COVID-19 pandemic caused public gyms and private NFL team facilities to shut down, with access limited to essential medical personnel and players with rehab needs. The circumstances also prevent players from getting on-field reps with their teams.

The on-field work can be made up during training camp, according to Robinson. Although virtual meetings are helpful getting to know his new teammates, there is a benefit to interpersonal interaction during that portion of a normal offseason program.

"Just getting there and really getting to hang out and know those guys, on and off the field, to really see that body language on and off the field, you're missing that to connect," Robinson said.

From a strength-and-conditioning standpoint, Robinson is staying in shape by working out at his friends' home gyms.

"With them not having wives and kids and it just being me and them, I can go work out and still be able to get it in," Robinson said. "Still go on runs and still get cardio in, ride a bike."

Robinson said the opportunity to play alongside the 6-5, 300-pound Brockers and 6-1, 280 Donald is a "great one."

"What I already can bring, I feel like I can contribute a little bit more learning some things from (Donald)," Robinson said. "Having Brockers there, being another older guy I can learn some things from him, too."

 

[CGI_Ram]

From a strength-and-conditioning standpoint, Robinson is staying in shape by working out at his friends' home gyms.

I wonder if we could see anything odd from this effect on the offseason? Lack of training equipment.

Rookies slower to get in NFL shape. Players that REALLY rely on strength, losing a bit. Injury impacts. Etc.

 

[Faceplant]

I wonder if we could see anything odd from this effect on the offseason? Lack of training equipment.

Rookies slower to get in NFL shape. Players that REALLY rely on strength, losing a bit. Injury impacts. Etc.

I don't think there is any way around it my friend. That said, all teams have the same issues. I just hope there is a season.

I think Robinson can be a real game changer for us on that DL rotation dude is a monster.

 

[nighttrain]

I just hope there is a season.

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

in australia the nrl is set to resume on may 28. still in empty stadiums.

of course here we've had less than 100 deaths from the virus and new cases have slowed to a crawl.

.

 

[MadGoat]

.

in australia the nrl is set to resume on may 28. still in empty stadiums.

of course here we've had less than 100 deaths from the virus and new cases have slowed to a crawl.

.

There's still no word on AFL, right? I'm planning on paying for Fox Soccer Plus once the games come back on.

 

[kurtfaulk]

There's still no word on AFL, right? I'm planning on paying for Fox Soccer Plus once the games come back on.

i don't know, i don't really pay attention to that sport and i'm not watching the news much at all lately because of the virus overload on it.

.

 

[Psycho_X]

I wonder if we could see anything odd from this effect on the offseason? Lack of training equipment.

Rookies slower to get in NFL shape. Players that REALLY rely on strength, losing a bit. Injury impacts. Etc.

Yeah it's going to be a really weird season if the whole thing actually happens. The first half of the season will be a sloppy, completely jekyll and hyde effort from most teams I bet because you know not every player is going to stay in shape like AD does. And without the offseason, in person, training with coaches everyone's defense and offense are going to be less than at their A game. I'd be willing to bet that the records from the first 8 games will be completely out of whack compared to where all teams land after 16... er 17? It's always kind of like that anyway but November and December will be some teams blasting their way out of the basement I think.

 

[BriansRams]

Yeah it's going to be a really weird season if the whole thing actually happens. The first half of the season will be a sloppy, completely jekyll and hyde effort from most teams I bet because you know not every player is going to stay in shape like AD does.

So it'll kind of look like the NFL in the early 70's. Slower, less muscular players all around.

 

[fanotodd]

The Rams desperately need some beef and results in the middle of that DL. I was not impressed with either Gaines or SJD, to tell the truth. They each made a few plays but only once did I think either had a good solid game.

The better the play inside, the better our ILBs will play. That's how it works.

 

[PressureD41]

Yeah it's going to be a really weird season if the whole thing actually happens. The first half of the season will be a sloppy, completely jekyll and hyde effort from most teams I bet because you know not every player is going to stay in shape like AD does. And without the offseason, in person, training with coaches everyone's defense and offense are going to be less than at their A game. I'd be willing to bet that the records from the first 8 games will be completely out of whack compared to where all teams land after 16... er 17? It's always kind of like that anyway but November and December will be some teams blasting their way out of the basement I think.

Translation another typical season for the freak AD99 and DOY trophy

 

[CGI_Ram]

Five things to know: Rams DT A'Shawn Robinson

www.therams.com

Five things to know about new Rams DT A'Shawn Robinson

Defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson has signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams. Here are five key things you should know about him:

1) An "athletic" 6-foot-4, 330-pound defensive lineman

Don't let Robinson's size fool you.

"Pure power to toss a one-on-one block aside," NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote on Robinson's 2016 profile. "Athletic enough to give reasonable chase to the ball."

That athleticism likely comes from Robinson's high school sports background. At Arlington Heights High School outside of Dallas, he played on the football team's offensive and defensive line while also competing on the varsity basketball team and track and field team.

During his junior season at the University of Alabama, he blocked an extra point attempt by leaping over the long snapper and was the lead blocker for two of running back Derrick Henry's three short-yardage touchdowns in a 30-16 win over LSU.

2) Run stopper

When searching for the value Robinson brings to Los Angeles' run defense, look no further than his third season with the Detroit Lions.

In its 2018 season recap for the Lions, service Pro Football Focus (PFF) dubbed Robinson as the team's Breakout Player/Secret Superstar.

"Robinson may have played limited snaps, but he earned a grade over 90.0 for his work in run defense," PFF wrote, ultimately giving Robinson a 91.3 grade in that category. It ended up as the sixth-highest run defense grade by an interior defensive lineman.

3) Comes from winning pedigree at college level

Robinson won a national championship at the University of Alabama during his third and final season at the collegiate level. When it comes to individual accomplishments, he earned consensus All-American honors and was one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, given annually to the nation's best interior lineman in college football

The Crimson Tide went 37-5 overall during the three-year span Robinson was a part of the program.

4) Makes plays in the passing game, too

The lone defensive score on Robinson's NFL resume is a pick-six against the New Orleans Saints in 2017 (see below). He also has five career sacks and 16 career pass breakups.

5) Once regarded as a top-50 draft prospect

Sports Illustrated compiled SI 50 – its top 50 players for the NFL Draft – in 2016, and Robinson checked in at No. 16.

Ironically, author Doug Farrar's pro comparison inside that artcile is the player whose role he may fill on L.A.'s defense – former Rams defensive tackle Michael Brockers.

 

[Ramrocket]

There's still no word on AFL, right? I'm planning on paying for Fox Soccer Plus once the games come back on.

They are planning on having a season. Looking for the Grand final to be late Oct. obviously the season will be truncated some but it will likely go ahead with 'hubs' of teams centrally located in Victoria which considers itself the home of AFL.