Certainly one of Terry Robiskie’s favourite educating ways is asking questions with incorrect info as a technique to separate the gamers who really know their assignments from the sure males.
In a room filled with Jaguars working backs in 2020, the longtime NFL assistant coach talked about scanning the protection from the free security to the cornerback as an alternative of the right learn from free security to sturdy security. And he deliberately confused the strong-side and weak-side blocking tasks of backs and offensive linemen.
Undrafted rookie James Robinson was the quietest individual within the room — till these trick questions.
“James was at all times the man to appropriate me,” Robiskie advised The Put up. “I used to be stunned by every little thing he was capable of do studying our pass-protection system as a result of it was difficult. He made positive we have been at all times on the identical web page. He knew the place he was imagined to be, and he was capable of assist different guys when his man didn’t rush.”
Robinson, 24, is the most recent addition to the Jets, acquired Monday from the Jaguars for a conditional sixth-round draft alternative because the quick response to rookie working again Breece Corridor’s season-ending torn ACL. In three years, Robinson went from setting the NFL file for many yards from scrimmage by an undrafted rookie (1,414) to not touching the ball final week towards the Giants because the Jaguars shifted towards that includes 2021 first-round draft decide Travis Etienne within the backfield.
Former Jaguars quarterback Mike Glennon echoes Robiskie’s sentiment that Robinson is “good sufficient to choose up issues fairly shortly” and must be “able to go immediately.” Glennon recalled the locker room was as stunned as the remainder of the NFL in September 2020 when the Jaguars lower Leonard Fournette and named Robinson because the starter. With out preseason video games resulting from COVID-19, it was onerous to gauge how his playmaking in follow would translate to dwell tackling.
“That’s an enormous transfer to chop a former top-five decide and go along with an undrafted man,” Glennon mentioned Tuesday afternoon, “however that first recreation of the season you can inform, ‘How did this man not get drafted?’ He actually is a whole again. He turns 2-yard runs into 4-yard runs and 4-yard runs into 6- or 8-yard runs.”
The Jets undeniably will lose some home-run means with out Corridor, who had 5 positive factors from scrimmage of not less than 20 yards. Michael Carter, Ty Johnson and Zonovan Knight (signed Tuesday off the follow squad) may have to supply the large performs, whereas Robinson (81 carries for 340 yards and three touchdowns) runs with downhill drive. Averaging simply 173.2 passing yards throughout their four-game profitable streak, the Jets can’t afford to overlook a beat on the bottom.
“If you wish to pound folks, take your time and put on them down, James could be very able to that,” Robiskie mentioned. “He’s onerous to carry down one-on-one. And he’s acquired good palms out of the backfield. He’ll get you a primary down in the event you throw him a swing go or a flare. No matter they determine they wish to do, in the event that they wish to rotate him out and in, he’s very a lot a crew participant. He gave all he had for me all 12 months.”
With the NFL in his sights, Robinson wasn’t seeking to put his physique first at Illinois State. He carried 102 instances for 629 yards and three touchdowns in a exceptional three-game span throughout the FCS playoffs as a senior.
“He nearly acquired us again to the nationwide championship recreation,” head coach Brock Spack mentioned. “North Dakota State’s followers have been hanging over the rails when he was strolling off to present him a standing ovation as a result of they know an amazing participant after they see one. He’s used to having a program on his again.”
Robinson’s 4.64-second 40-yard sprint on the NFL mix seemingly is the principle motive he didn’t get drafted, based on Spack and Robiskie. Illinois State’s Professional Day was canceled, so he couldn’t re-run.
“I recruited Mike Alstott to Purdue,” Spack mentioned of the previous All-Professional fullback, “and they're comparable in that nonetheless quick they're, they get to that velocity in a short time. Completely different backs, however James could be very sudden. He may’ve performed [weakside] linebacker for me within the Huge Ten. He’s acquired that type of explosiveness and toughness.”
Then-Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone was Robinson’s greatest believer within the scouting course of, Robiskie mentioned, and it paid off when the rookie grew to become the lone shiny spot in a 1-15 season. Marrone and his employees have been fired, short-lived successor City Meyer drafted Etienne (who missed his whole rookie season) and Robinson surprisingly made it again from a torn Achilles suffered final Dec. 26 in time to drive a timeshare with Etienne at the beginning of this season.
“I’m excited for him to get a recent begin,” Glennon mentioned. “I don’t suppose he’s misplaced it. He appeared actually good once I noticed him at first of the 12 months. [His rookie year] was unimaginable and he remained the identical man the entire time: He got here to work quietly, was getting all these accolades and was one of many higher working backs within the NFL — and also you wouldn’t understand it in any respect. I've quite a lot of respect for him. The Jets must be pleased with who they acquired on and off the sphere.”
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