Rams sign A'Shawn Robinson

[jrry32]

Wasn't Clay released?

Yes. After my post.

 

[fearsomefour]

LA Rams fans find lots to love about free agent Robinson & Floyd
by Bret Stuter
View attachment 34718
LA Rams’ new additions of OLB Floyd and DL Robinson may be unfamiliar faces, but both bring a lot to love about their fit on 2020 defense.

The LA Rams will run the same 3-4 defensive scheme they’ve run for some time. But if you haven’t noticed by now, there will be many new faces. Of course, All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald will still anchor the front seven. And the 2020 defensive backs will be one of the best pass defense foursomes in the NFL. But the LA Rams have parted ways with all four starting linebackers from 2019 so far.

So why the wholesale changes? In a word, the Rams face NFC West opponents who emphasize a running offense. In fact, all three NFC West opponents ranked in the top 10 rushing offenses in the NFL. And if you toss in the opponents who truly had their way with the LA Rams defense in 2019, the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys, you soon see where the Rams Achilles Heel was in last year. The Rams could not stop the run. New defensive coordinator Brandon Staley will try to change that.

The Vic Fangio defense is designed to confuse offenses by “showing” one defense, but “playing” another defense. That defense needs three components: incredibly strong defensive linemen who can handle double teams at the line of scrimmage, defensive backs who can cover in both man and zone, and swarming linebackers who can get to the ball carrier and deliver a “boom” when they do. So how do we fit the Rams players into this new scheme?

The resounding theme in just two additions for the LA Rams defense is to get younger and to bolster the run defense. Plain and simple. And it’s the right goal for this team.

View attachment 34717
DL A’Shawn Robinson
The Rams lost an outstanding run defender when DL Michael Brockers signed with the Baltimore Ravens. Brockers is a 29-year-old 6-foot-5 305-pound defensive lineman who can hold his ground and defend the run very well. In his place, the LA Rams signed former Detroit Lions defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson. Robinson is a 25-year-old 6-foot-4 330-pound defensive lineman who can hold his ground and defend the run very well.

In short, the Rams got bigger, stronger, younger, and cheaper at the defensive line. Placing Robinson among the DL rotations with Donald, Sebastian Joseph-Day, and Greg Gaines, the Rams now have a younger defensive front.

The direct comparisons over Brockers’ last four years and Robinson’s first four years reveal some interesting facts: (all stats from Pro-Football-Reference.com)


Def Snaps
2016: B – 419 R- 408
2017: B – 728 R – 735
2018: B – 680 R – 415
2019: B – 766 R – 527
Tackles
2016: B – 19 R- 30
2017: B – 55 R – 53
2018: B – 54 R – 49
2019: B – 63 R – 40
TFL Sacks QB Hits
2016: B – 1 R- 6 2016: B – 0.0 R- 2.0 2016: B – 5 R- 2
2017: B – 8 R – 4 2017: B – 4.5 R – 0.5 2017: B – 8 R – 6
2018: B – 4 R – 3 2018: B – 1.0 R – 1.0 2018: B – 4 R – 4
2019: B – 3 R – 3 2019: B – 3.0 R – 1.5 2019: B – 9 R – 2

The initial comparison is to conclude that Brockers was more productive. But Brockers played 2,700 defensive snaps, to just 2,100 for Robinson.
Double up defenders on double teams

The most exciting aspect of this signing is the fact that A’Shawn Robinson is a very powerful man. He is 330 pounds, but that is more muscle than fat. That power allows him to defeat double teams and defend the run. That proficiency against double teams gives the Rams a huge plus, as the team tries to force offenses to use just one blocker against Aaron Donald.

Robinson is definitely a good run defender. He’s able to locate the ball really well, and make a tackle on the ball. He had a forced fumble last year, due to this. He’s really stout, but he has the agility to make it back to the ball pic.twitter.com/hgimJsoAZl

So far, Robinson has not had much of an impact as a pass rusher. But he has not had that responsibility. He has been a lane-clogger, block-gobbler defensive lineman whose role was primarily to keep the linebackers clean and able to make plays. That is exactly what the Fangio/Staley defense will ask of him as well.

But he will be more than a fireplug in the Rams’ 2020 defense. He will be tasked with creating a secondary target for offensive lines on the defensive front. A second Hercules strongman on that defensive front which will force the offense to choose either Donald or Robinson. Choose the wrong one, and the other guy will make them pay by tackling the ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage.

LA Rams fans find lots to love about free agents Floyd and Robinson

LA Rams' new additions of OLB Floyd and DL Robinson may be unfamiliar faces, but both bring a lot to love about their fit on 2020 defense.

ramblinfan.com

How the F is Brockers only 29?
Seems like he’s been on the Rams forever.

 

[So Ram]

Samson was playing in certain sets for the Rams last year. He was already getting snaps when both Fowler and Matthews were healthy.
He is solid and maybe takes the next step as a pass rusher.

That KC game he had was Very Special!!

 

[AlphaRam]

Exactly! You need to match up with the best teams in the conference. When you do that, the division will take care of itself.

 

[Ram65]

Robinson lined up a lot as a 3T for the Lions, and didn't look very good doing it in 2019. So I suspect he'll play more 5T for us than NT, particularly vs teams like the 9ers to ensure we have a stout front vs the run. But he definitely should be able to play the nose for us if we need him to just like Brock did, where it wasn't ideal in base sets but on passing downs slide him inside.

You may be right we'll see. But his tape from 2018 looks pretty good. He was rumored to be in poor cardio shape last season, and prior to 2018 I don't think he really did anything, so there's question on my end about his heart or buy-in to the program.

I think he's a signing that will pay off if he's fully bought in. He has the talent. And bottom line given health he's a better run stopper than Brock was.

I sure hope the Rams get the 2018 version of Robinson over the 2019 version. That's a lot of cap space for a near-average D Lineman. Sure hope he buys into the Rams program. Gaines seems like a NT more than a 5T.

Does SJD fit as a 5T more than Robinson?

 

[fearsomefour]

That KC game he had was Very Special!!

An amazing all time great game!!

 

[Rams43]

I sure hope the Rams get the 2018 version of Robinson over the 2019 version. That's a lot of cap space for a near-average D Lineman. Sure hope he buys into the Rams program. Gaines seems like a NT more than a 5T.

Does SJD fit as a 5T more than Robinson?

I’m thinking that playing next to AD has got to be a career enhancer. Robinson may well have his best year ever this year.

 

[rams1fan]

Snead has drafted 7 rbs in 8 drafts. We will draft an RB

 

[Ram65]

I’m thinking that playing next to AD has got to be a career enhancer. Robinson may well have his best year ever this year.

Does that mean he plays NT?

 

[8to12]

Robinson lined up a lot as a 3T for the Lions, and didn't look very good doing it in 2019. So I suspect he'll play more 5T for us than NT, particularly vs teams like the 9ers to ensure we have a stout front vs the run. But he definitely should be able to play the nose for us if we need him to just like Brock did, where it wasn't ideal in base sets but on passing downs slide him inside.

I don't know what think at this point. I am still trying to figure out where they intend to play him. He plays primarily as a 2-gapper ; he ties up the blocker and then tries to find the ball. Occasionally, he will get past the lineman and into the backfield. With that said, does he become the NT and SJD moves to End (5T), with Gaines the NT back up? Also, not sure if anyone noticed but Robinson total snap count is quite lower than Brockers. Robinson played only 42% and 46% of defensive snaps respectively in 2018 & 2019 compared to 67% and 69% for Brockers. So, does that mean he is only a 1 or 2 down lineman? Is he so ineffective as a pass rusher that he has to be taken off the field in 2nd ..... 3rd and long situations? If you play him at 5T, and you're trying to slow down the 49ers ZB run, as an offense, wouldn't you just run your wide zone runs to the opposite side of the field, away from him? He does not get off of the LOS quick enough and/or has any pursuit capabilities. Wish we knew more details about Staley's scheme.

 

[iamme33]

there seems to be a lot of debate on whether robinson is a nt or a 5t. my self I don't see a 330 lb 5t so my money is on nt. this would probably put sjd at 5t which might be a better place for him due to size. jmo

 

[dang]

there seems to be a lot of debate on whether robinson is a nt or a 5t. my self I don't see a 330 lb 5t so my money is on nt. this would probably put sjd at 5t which might be a better place for him due to size. jmo

Not that my opinion counts but putting Robinson next to Donald at NT makes the most sense. He would command a double team on running plays. Not sure how quick he is but I don’t see him as being effective at 5T. for 5T we have Fox, Copeland or maybe SJD. Also FA isn’t over so there is a chance we pick up a serviceable DL at a reasonable price.

 

[BonifayRam]

there seems to be a lot of debate on whether robinson is a nt or a 5t. my self I don't see a 330 lb 5t so my money is on nt. this would probably put sjd at 5t which might be a better place for him due to size. jmo

Yep it's a big question on the DL for now. What I look at is the Rams are without both of their 5 tech DL'ers who have been there since 2017 when the 34 D 5 tech post was put in operation. Rams have the same two NT's & same two 3 tech'ers returning.

The 2019 NT post was a mixed bag. Sometime effective a lot of times not. The NT post was primarily posted by SJD. Rookie Greg Gaines saw only 5 gms of action & a very small number of snaps with DC Wade. The NT post was the weakest of the 3 DL post IMO too. I would prefer a new starting NT in 2020 other than SJD. The 6-1 296 lbs Tanzel Smart primarily a 3 tech model did see more time @ the NT post than Gaines did, so there is a 3rd NT possibility. I am just sating IMO SJD is NOT a versatile DL'er.

It was obvious to me Wade just did not take a liking to seeing Gaines on the field. I should remind myself that Snead traded up to select Gaines too. Utilized two draft picks to make the move up & Wade simply did not utilize this NT. I had thought that since Gaines had took snaps @ RB in HS they could have used the 6-0/312 lbs @ FB! I think that Gaines is much more versatile DL'er than SJD is. Thus, IMO Gaines would be much more effective @ the 5 tech post than SJD.

I sure hope the Rams get the 2018 version of Robinson over the 2019 version. That's a lot of cap space for a near-average D Lineman. Sure hope he buys into the Rams program. Gaines seems like a NT more than a 5T. Does SJD fit as a 5T more than Robinson?

Yes it is a ton of $$$ for what has been an average DL.

If you read my above comments then you know my 2 cents on SJD. I should also state that yes I think that Greg Gaines will be a better performing NT over SJD. SJD's size would lead you to think that @ 6-4/310 he would make a good DE 5 tech'er...but his feet move soooooo sloooooow ....appears SJD has two cement blocks glued to each foot. Best to keep him as a reserve NT & goal line extra DL.

An amazing all time great game!!

That game was my favorite McVay game to this date!

 

[BonifayRam]

Not good!

If your correct, & you might be.... then this Ram DL needs to have a serious infusion of talent from this upcoming draft.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Not good!

If your correct, & you might be.... then this Ram DL needs to have a serious infusion of talent from this upcoming draft.

Both lines....

 

[Merlin]

Not good!

If your correct, & you might be.... then this Ram DL needs to have a serious infusion of talent from this upcoming draft.

Well there is a chance we end up with Raekwon Davis at 52 or after a small move down. Which would give us an entirely different looking line.

 

[Ram65]

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