Laurent Robinson opens minicamp as starter (1 Viewer)

[doowain]

Per Rotoworld:

Laurent Robinson-WR- Falcons Apr. 14 - 2:35 pm et

Laurent Robinson opened minicamps as the Falcons' starting wide receiver opposite Roddy White. Joe Horn and Michael Jenkins worked as backups. Coach Mike Smith says a lot of shuffling will happen before training camp, but it appears Robinson has the inside track on a starting job. The second-year burner flashed as Atlanta's fourth receiver in 2007, catching 37 passes for 437 yards.

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

********************************************************************************

OK, so it's early, but there are quite a few people around here who saw this coming. Joe Horn can't cut it as an every down WR anymore and Michael Jenkins is not an ideal #2 WR. I don't buy into the "lot of shuffling will happen" coachspeak, as Robinson has far more upside than Jenkins and is more talented than Horn at this stage in Joe's career. I feel that Week 1, Laurent will be the starter opposite Roddy.

Now, just because he is/may be the starter, we all know that does not necessarily make him a solid fantasy contributor. Especially with all of the questions surrounding the Atlanta offense going into this offseason. Chris Redman is currently the starter. Joey Harrington is still hangin around (although he played well, if not efficient, in spots last year). Neither of these QBs is promising for solid stats from a teams #2 WR, especially one going into his second year. Add in the fact that Atlanta could very well draft Matt Ryan or a QB in later rounds, and the Falcons WRs could be looking at a rookie tossing them passes by mid-year.

What is your outlook on Laurent's prospects for the 2008 season? Can he contribute as a WR3 for a fantasy team? Or will he be merely a bye week fill in who occasionally has a big game (typically when he's riding the bench)? He seemed to be developing a good rapport with Redman towards the end of the season, as evidenced by his 7-114-1 performance in Week 16. Will this carry over?

I really like his chances if he can keep his focus and continue to see reps as a starter in camp. I don't really see anyone behind him that will push him for a starting spot, so I think it's his to lose. I will temper my expectations, though, in lieu of the questions surrounding the QB position/new coaching staff.

65 receptions

890 yards (13.7 avg.)

6 TDs

Good for WR28 in 2007

Thoughts?

 

[saintfool]

who is the atlanta starting QB?

 

[2and2is5]

i love having LRob on my dynasty squad, especially if they draft matt ryan, but as you said my expectations are tempered for 2008, more of a stash away for a year with hopes of surprising me

 

[doowain]

Chris Redman is currently the starter.

who is the atlanta starting QB?

Per Rotoworld:

Chris Redman-QB- Falcons Apr. 14 - 10:31 am et

Chris Redman will see the majority of first-team snaps at the Falcons' first offseason minicamp this week. If Redman impresses, the Falcons may feel slightly less urgency to draft a quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick. Even if Redman is lights out, however, they still figure to use an early choice on a signal caller.

 

[beto]

Thanks for the update.

This situation is worth watching. Roddy White seemed to emerge last year as their #1, but if they are airing it out this year the #2 WR there could have value.

 

[gregjcross]

Thanks for the update. This situation is worth watching. Roddy White seemed to emerge last year as their #1, but if they are airing it out this year the #2 WR there could have value.

I would want Roddy White in any league while Robinson is worth a flyer. White has a few years under his belt now. If Laurent Robinson can detour some coverage away, Roddy is even stronger. ATL's QB situation leaves something to be desired.

 

[EBF]

I would temper my expectations for next season. Anything is possible, but he's still pretty raw coming out of a 1-AA school and I think he needs another year of learning before we see the full extent of his capabilities.

 

[Mr. Peterson]

I bet he won't be a starter over Jenkins this year. It's one report and it's APRIL.

Jenkins is better, at least for one more year.

 

[gianmarco]

I bet he won't be a starter over Jenkins this year. It's one report and it's APRIL.Jenkins is better, at least for one more year.

I disagree. Jenkins is not better. He's had his chance and has yet to take any advantage of it. And it's not just one report in April. The last game of the year last year, Robinson was the starter and took full advantage and blew up. And he looked good doing it.Right now, the job is Robinson's to lose during TC and preseason. That may happen, but I doubt it. I'm probably higher on him than most, but I really liked how he looked last year and I think the Atlanta's passing game could surprise some people next year in terms of fantasy production.

 

[MAC_32]

The WR2 on Atlanta will not help you much at all in almost all formats in 2008. In a deeper league I'd be looking for him in the late rounds to spot start, but in more shallow leagues he's waiver fodder. Dyno owners should look to get him sometime during the year to stash him away for 09 though, I know no one will pry him off of my hands.

 

[doowain]

I would temper my expectations for next season. Anything is possible, but he's still pretty raw coming out of a 1-AA school and I think he needs another year of learning before we see the full extent of his capabilities.

Completely agree. I look back now and see that I didn't hit that point in my post. The kid is still learning, which is why I expressed my hope that he can stay focused (difficult for younger, inexperienced players) and get as many starter reps as he can in. He definitely has all the physical tools to be very good. He needs to work on not disappearing when he is on the field, which I noticed quite a bit last year. One big thing he has going for him, and someone please correct me if I'm wrong here, but I've never heard his name mentioned as being a bonehead. The kid keeps his nose clean and I've read only good reports about him from teammates, media, etc. Maybe he could give some lessons to Chris Henry, Adarius Bowman, etc.

 

[EBF]

I would temper my expectations for next season. Anything is possible, but he's still pretty raw coming out of a 1-AA school and I think he needs another year of learning before we see the full extent of his capabilities.

Completely agree. I look back now and see that I didn't hit that point in my post. The kid is still learning, which is why I expressed my hope that he can stay focused (difficult for younger, inexperienced players) and get as many starter reps as he can in. He definitely has all the physical tools to be very good. He needs to work on not disappearing when he is on the field, which I noticed quite a bit last year. One big thing he has going for him, and someone please correct me if I'm wrong here, but I've never heard his name mentioned as being a bonehead. The kid keeps his nose clean and I've read only good reports about him from teammates, media, etc. Maybe he could give some lessons to Chris Henry, Adarius Bowman, etc.

He has a good work ethic. "First one to the field and last one to leave" is what his prospect profile said on NFL.com last year.

 

[gianmarco]

I would temper my expectations for next season. Anything is possible, but he's still pretty raw coming out of a 1-AA school and I think he needs another year of learning before we see the full extent of his capabilities.

Completely agree. I look back now and see that I didn't hit that point in my post. The kid is still learning, which is why I expressed my hope that he can stay focused (difficult for younger, inexperienced players) and get as many starter reps as he can in. He definitely has all the physical tools to be very good. He needs to work on not disappearing when he is on the field, which I noticed quite a bit last year. One big thing he has going for him, and someone please correct me if I'm wrong here, but I've never heard his name mentioned as being a bonehead. The kid keeps his nose clean and I've read only good reports about him from teammates, media, etc. Maybe he could give some lessons to Chris Henry, Adarius Bowman, etc.

He has a good work ethic. "First one to the field and last one to leave" is what his prospect profile said on NFL.com last year.

IMO, that's the biggest thing going for him. These are the guys that don't disappoint. He may never be a stud, but I think it's doubtful he's going to be a complete bust too.

 

[dmac37]

Laurent Robinson is one to watch, below are his rookie combine results:

Height: 6020

Weight: 199

40 Yrd Dash: 4.38

20 Yrd Dash: 2.50

10 Yrd Dash: 1.46

225 Lb. Bench Reps: 19

Vertical Jump: 39

Broad Jump: 10'07"

20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.28

3-Cone Drill: 6.83

 

[zamboni]

I would temper my expectations for next season. Anything is possible, but he's still pretty raw coming out of a 1-AA school and I think he needs another year of learning before we see the full extent of his capabilities.

I don't disagree that he may be a bit raw, but his alma mater means little IMO. Colston came out of a 1-AA school as well.

 

[foxco]

Laurent Robinson is one to watch, below are his rookie combine results:Height: 6020

That is pretty tall.2008 predictions: 55 catches, 760 yds, 5 TDs

 

[gianmarco]

Laurent Robinson is one to watch, below are his rookie combine results:

Height: 6020

That is pretty tall. 2008 predictions: 55 catches, 760 yds, 5 TDs

 

[FavreCo]

I bet he won't be a starter over Jenkins this year. It's one report and it's APRIL.Jenkins is better, at least for one more year.

Robinson will sent Jenkins to the pine. He's vastly superior.

 

[switz]

I bet he won't be a starter over Jenkins this year. It's one report and it's APRIL.Jenkins is better, at least for one more year.

Robinson was better than Jenkins last year. It may not have been apparent in the stats, and Robinson's still learning the WR position in the NFL, but there's no doubt he is already better than Jenkins.He was one of the guys I was high on last season, had to drop him from my dynasty roster due to having great depth at WR, and needs at other positions, but I still believe he has the talent to be a great NFL WR.

 

[nysfl2]

Thanks for the update. This situation is worth watching. Roddy White seemed to emerge last year as their #1, but if they are airing it out this year the #2 WR there could have value.

Everything that I have been hearing is that Atlanta is moving to a conservative, grind-it-out offense behind Michael Turner. With that philosophy and Chris Redmond as the starting QB, my expectations for the Atlanta passing game aren't very high. If R. White continues to play well and put up good numbers, there may not be enough other passing numbers to go around for another WR to do much.