AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
It does not seem that long ago that #81 was making defenders look silly at Hancock Stadium. The Redbird record holder for career receptions (192) is set to begin his third year in the NFL. After a rookie year that saw L-Rob start 6 games and tally 437 receiving yards, his sophomore campaign was cut short by injury. This off-season the former Redbird was traded by the Atlanta Falcons to the St. Louis Rams for a swap of 5th and 6th round picks.
Robinson will look to capitalize on this change of scenery. He is currently penciled in as a starting wide receiver next to Keenan Burton. The situation could become muddy once incumbent Donnie Avery returns from injury around week 3 of the regular season. The Rockledge High School product appears safe for now as he is currently listed above Burton on the most recent Rams depth chart (LINK).
If the first pre-season game is any indication of things to come, Robinson should be in for a good deal of success. Playing a limited number of snaps with the first team offense, L-Rob caught two passes for 52 yards. The native of Fort Lewis, Washington could see his receiving numbers hampered somewhat however if the injury to Marc Bulger’s pinkie is more severe then the original diagnosis and he cannot return by week 1 (LINK).
One thing that bodes well for Robinson is that the Rams will play the 10th easiest schedule in the NFL (LINK). On top of that, teams in the NFC West do not seem all that interested in defending the pass. Seattle finished dead-last, Arizona came in 22nd, and San Francisco led the group with a disappointing 20th place finish in 2008.
The stars seem to be aligning for a breakout 2009 if Robinson can stay on the field. Hopefully the future resembles the past and #11 can now make defenders look silly at the Edward Jones Dome.
For more info: Reid Kerr NFL Examiner , Daniel Cox Atlanta Falcons Examiner , Paula Duffy Sports Examiner
Comments