Loading ...There was a sense of excitement when the New York Giants selected tight end Adrien Robinson with in the fourth-round of the 2012 NFL draft. His size, strength, and athleticism gave his coaches, teammates, and fans reason to believe that he can one day become a starting tight end for the Giants in the near future. General manager Jerry Reese even went as far to say he was the "JPP of tight ends."
However, many fans forget that Robinson missed OTA's this offseason in order to finish up his degree. After playing in the wide open, spread offense employed by the Cincinnati Bearcats, Robinson is going to have to learn how to transition into a block-first tight end if he wants to see the field for Big Blue. Today, tight end coach Mike Pope commented on how Robinson is going to be a project, not an instant star.
"Robinson has really been disadvantaged because number one, his class didn’t graduate until so late in June. He missed almost all of our spring work except for the mini-camp and that set him back quite a bit. Like a lot of players who are coming out at this position now he played in that college offense that is so wide open he wasn’t even in a three-point stance. He didn’t even line up beside the tackle and he didn’t conjunct blocks with the line at all because their offense was just so wide open." Pope said.
The New York Giants have normally excelled with tight ends whose first priority is to block either on rushing plays or in pass protection schemes. Players like Kevin Boss and Jake Ballard were both exceptional blockers, while still remaining a threat that had to be accounted for in the passing game. Pope is hoping that Robinson can morph into that kind of player in the future.
"This has been a whole new thing for him so he’s been a little bit slower to move into that role. Here at our place you have to be a blocker first and then you grow into the passing game. If you think back to all the players that we’ve had here that have done well, that’s been the way we have developed them so he has to do that." Pope said.
With the acquisition of Martellus Bennett and the newfound depth at tight end, Robinson is going to have the benefit of learning the offense thoroughly before he has to see any significant playing time. Although he does not have any experience as a block-first tight end, he certainly has the athletic ability to be effective in that phase of the game. Hopefully, we see some production sooner rather than later from the young rookie.
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I think long term Robinson will be a very good all around TE. It wouldn’t surprise be if he started getting real playing time in the second half of this year.
Seems like for 3 years we heard about packages Gilbride would have for Beckum which were never utilized because of the events of a game.
Robinson should see similar packages (which hopefully are used in game) to exploit the mismatches, and gradually phased into the game plan.
The trouble with “package” players is the defense goes nickle the minute they step on the field. That tends to offset the “match-up nightmare” factor.
In response to the Barden question on the last thread.
He will absolutely get cut if he doesn’t show something this camp. Jr said as much. So did beat man Paul Dottino.
http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/mike-francesa/id386002669
Thanks, I heard Dottino on the FAN, just wanted to hear Jr’s thoughts not meant for the media
last thread: ask your Niner friends how many passes Smith completed to WR’s in that game
they are 1/2 of a team
really good to near great defense; lousy offense
Alex Smith is a bottom 10 QB
this year will expose him
the addition of Moss and MM won’t help that offense a bit
Smith won’t be able to get them the ball
they’ll end 9-7 or worse and out of the playoffs, losing the division to the Shelton-led Cardinals
I think the seahawks will….and that was well before they got TO also
Robinson is one of my roster 2012 dilemmas. He’d never make it to the practice squad, so he’ll be “parked” among those that don’t dress on game day. My list is growing: T2, McCants, Barden, Kuhn, (Scott or Brown), Robinson, +1 walking wounded.
So Robinson was a stand-up, pass-first TE … that we drafted … and now we’re concerned about him because he’s not much of a blocker.
This sounds rather familiar.
Put me down in the “Barden has to flash in pre-season or he gets the ax” category. Been saying it all along. With Nicks, Cruz, JJ, Hixon, and Randle assured spots I’m thinking there’s only room for one more. DePalma and Douglas are having solid camps. And Barden does zip on specials. He’s got to catch some balls … early and often … or he’s off to an exciting job in the fashion industry.
I’ve given up on Barden. I’d like to see him beaten out by one of the young and hungry guys that will also contribute on specials.
Best case scenario is that Barden looks great in preseason and JR is able to trade him to one of many WR starved teams around the league for a 7th rounder.
The word on Robinson is that he is tremendously athletic, but he lacks the technique of an NFL TE, which makes sense. If this is the case, I don’t see him as a wasted roster spot.
I think his measurements are something like 6’4 255 and runs great. That sounds like one hell of a kickoff coverage guy to me. he might not have too much impact as a TE this year, but if he is an athlete then he can still help on specials.
Which is why Reese said he is the JPP of TE. His athletic ability can hopefully make up for his technique while he is learning.
I saw the JPP of TEs at camp with my own eyes. More of an athlete than any TE that we’ve had here in 5 years (not saying much, I know, but still.)