Michael Robinson: The Latest "Slash" (1 Viewer)

[nittanylion]

SB = Senior Bowl, for the purposes of this thread...The Penn Stater in me was quite pleased to hear Robinson, following good common sense, and apparently at the request of scouts/team reps attending the Senior Bowl practices, made the wise choice to take the opportunity to showcase his skills at RB and WR for today's session, and apparently aquitted himself decently...Although he remains hopeful to get the opportunity to prove himself to be an NFL caliber QB, at this time it would appear that his draft prospects are somewhat limited as a QB, and he stands a much greater chance at improving his draft position and NFL opportunity by making a name for himself at one of the other skill positions.With the recent success of several college QB's who have converted to WR in the NFL, I'm excited about his prospects. The story that thrills me about the kind of athelete Robinson is, both in terms of his ability and attitude, goes back to his junior year at Penn State, when he played the 'slash' role in the PSU offense, and proved his versatility as a playmaker.Not sure how many know this, but in the Spring of '05, when the heralded freshman class came in, and Deon Butler was officially converted from DB to WR, Robinson spent a significant portion of preseason practice time TEACHING the young WR corps the pass routes they'd be running in the fall. Paterno credited him for decreasing their learning curve and improving their ability to make plays all season long.Intriguing athlete, with a nice combination of measurables (6'2"/~220lbs) for the position. Not sure about his 40 time, but his game speed and toughness seemed to be impressive this season.The 'skins fan in me would really like to see Gibbs/Saunders get ahold of a versatile playmaker with size get an opportunity in their offense. If the Steelers lose Randle-El to Free Agency, he'd be an intriguing prospect across the field from Hines Ward, methinks...Looking forward to following him through the rest of the predraft camps and the combine, and wishing this kid all the best with his potential NFL future...

 

[diesel7982]

Im impressed with him as an athlete...but he needs to have this QB nonsense beat out of him. I think hed be a good risk for any team in the 2nd day.

 

[Bloom]

he's definitely a guy i would target at development WR once the second day rolls around. he has the look of an excellent big physical type WR (think boldin, another converted QB), and the success rate of QB to WR converts lately is too good to ignore.

 

[Warsteinner]

"Slash?" Does this mean we have to discuss his backseat skills? :X

 

[Mr. Vegas]

Plus He has played WR,in this class He could move all the way up into the top 10 at the WR position.

 

[JAA]

I wasnt impressed with his speed watching him play. Having seen Rasheed Marshall at WVU for a long time, I would consider Robinson considerably slower, but I am no speed expert. It will be interesting to see how he grades out at the combine.

 

[Bloom]

I wasnt impressed with his speed watching him play. Having seen Rasheed Marshall at WVU for a long time, I would consider Robinson considerably slower, but I am no speed expert. It will be interesting to see how he grades out at the combine.

again, the most optimistic compare i can think of for robinson is boldin, and the #1 knock on boldin was his speed. i think that worked out ok. If a WR has a big frame and is physical, speed deficiencies can be overcome.

 

[Sheriff66]

He will be a day 1 pick at WR IMO. If he slides, hopefully the Steelers can get him to replace ARE if he decides to leave....

 

[Chaos Commish]

Guys, I pimped this kid here and elsewhere with enthusiasm this year. I love his quickness, power, and toughness and I love his attitude. But he has had an awful week at the Senior Bowl. At QB he didn't come close to looking like he might be developmental. He moved to WR yesterday, and he's so inexperienced that his size and strength didn't help him. He was getting knocked down at the line of scrimmage-- three times. He didn't catch a pass. He messed up his routes. He really struggled. He is a favorite of coaches and teammates for his personality and obvious athleticism, but it's very possible he will not be drafted at all. CFL scouts have been circling.

He's going to return kicks for the North this Saturday, and therein lies his opportunity. It has been explained to him plainly, in part because he discusses his situation so realistically, that he CAN return kicks in the NFL, and MAYBE develop into a WR with a couple of years hard work. It's possible, maybe probable, that he'll be intriguing enough as a kr/developmental wr/rb/slot player that some team will give him a late second day look in the draft. One thing is for sure, Jeff Fisher and company are counseling him and consulting with others in an almost touching effort to find a place for this kid in the NFL.

Joe Paterno was brilliant to use his best athlete at QB this season. PSU had a great season. But Paterno did Robinson no personal favors by making him a QB. He needed another year at WR.

This was my opinion in late November. If he can run that 4.42 he says he can, then he's drafted a little earlier than currently expected. If he runs a lot slower, which is expected after this week, then he may be looking at a UFA invite. Robinson really seems like one of the good guys. There is no questioning his overall athletic ability. It may be that he is good at everything but not great at anything. It may be that he needs time to focus on WR and he'll develop. I still love his strength, power, open field moves, etc. But I have big doubts after this week.

 

[Bloom]

Guys, I pimped this kid here and elsewhere with enthusiasm this year.  I love his quickness, power, and toughness and I love his attitude.  But he has had an awful week at the Senior Bowl.  At QB he didn't come close to looking like he might be developmental.  He moved to WR yesterday, and he's so inexperienced that his size and strength didn't help him.  He was getting knocked down at the line of scrimmage-- three times.  He didn't catch a pass.  He messed up his routes.  He really struggled.  He is a favorite of coaches and teammates for his personality and obvious athleticism, but it's very possible he will not be drafted at all.  CFL scouts have been circling.

Just from a raw tools and experience standpoint, Robinson is way ahead of Rasheed Marshall, who got drafted as a WR last year. I have to think he'll go in the 5th/6th at worst. I find it hard to believe that such a natural football player who is coachable to boot would go undrafted. I also think the team that drafts him should take a look at what tennessee has done with Marcus Randall. Robinson is physical enough to have a shot at safety too.

 

[Sheriff66]

Guys, I pimped this kid here and elsewhere with enthusiasm this year.  I love his quickness, power, and toughness and I love his attitude.  But he has had an awful week at the Senior Bowl.  At QB he didn't come close to looking like he might be developmental.  He moved to WR yesterday, and he's so inexperienced that his size and strength didn't help him.  He was getting knocked down at the line of scrimmage-- three times.  He didn't catch a pass.  He messed up his routes.  He really struggled.  He is a favorite of coaches and teammates for his personality and obvious athleticism, but it's very possible he will not be drafted at all.  CFL scouts have been circling.

He's going to return kicks for the North this Saturday, and therein lies his opportunity.  It has been explained to him plainly, in part because he discusses his situation so realistically, that he CAN return kicks in the NFL, and MAYBE develop into a WR with a couple of years hard work.  It's possible, maybe probable, that he'll be intriguing enough as a kr/developmental wr/rb/slot player that some team will give him a late second day look in the draft.  One thing is for sure, Jeff Fisher and company are counseling him and consulting with others in an almost touching effort to find a place for this kid in the NFL. 

Joe Paterno was brilliant to use his best athlete at QB this season.  PSU had a great season.  But Paterno did Robinson no personal favors by making him a QB.  He needed another year at WR. 

This was my opinion in late November.  If he can run that 4.42 he says he can, then he's drafted a little earlier than currently expected.  If he runs a lot slower, which is expected after this week, then he may be looking at a UFA invite.  Robinson really seems like one of the good guys.  There is no questioning his overall athletic ability.  It may be that he is good at everything but not great at anything.  It may be that he needs time to focus on WR and he'll develop.  I still love his strength, power, open field moves, etc.  But I have big doubts after this week.

I have watched him play his whole career, and I think he will be drafted on pure talent alone, no way he does not get drafted. He will be a project WR with a nice upside, and an emergency QB for some NFL team this year....

 

[Chaos Commish]

Guys, I pimped this kid here and elsewhere with enthusiasm this year. I love his quickness, power, and toughness and I love his attitude. But he has had an awful week at the Senior Bowl. At QB he didn't come close to looking like he might be developmental. He moved to WR yesterday, and he's so inexperienced that his size and strength didn't help him. He was getting knocked down at the line of scrimmage-- three times. He didn't catch a pass. He messed up his routes. He really struggled. He is a favorite of coaches and teammates for his personality and obvious athleticism, but it's very possible he will not be drafted at all. CFL scouts have been circling.

Just from a raw tools and experience standpoint, Robinson is way ahead of Rasheed Marshall, who got drafted as a WR last year. I have to think he'll go in the 5th/6th at worst. I find it hard that such a natural football player would go undrafted. I also think the team that drafts him should take a look at what tennessee has done with Marcus Randall. Robinson is physical enough to have a shot at safety too.

Maybe I'm too pessimistic, hopefully. But a kid with a lesser attitude would have let this week depress him. He was almost humorously pathetic trying to get off the line against DBs who've had some pro coaching on the jam. The WRs have had a few days to learn how to deal with it, and they've been dealing with it in college to a certain extent. MRob was getting pancaked at wr, and there was laughter among some scouts. Not good. Nothing has gone well for Robinson this week. It's been his worst case scenario. He even measured an inch shorter than expected. Denver, Seattle and New England are teams who seem willing to give very developmental athletes a chance. Philly and Pittsburgh could score some points locally by drafting him. All five of them have wr needs. So yeah, he'll probably be drafted sometime on the second day, but this might be a wr class withouth elite talent, but it is deep. Robinson probably has about 30 WRs well ahead of him right now. He can certainly change that by showing great hands and better speed at the Combine, a few nice plays Saturday would help too. I'm pulling for him.

 

[Bloom]

Guys, I pimped this kid here and elsewhere with enthusiasm this year.  I love his quickness, power, and toughness and I love his attitude.  But he has had an awful week at the Senior Bowl.  At QB he didn't come close to looking like he might be developmental.  He moved to WR yesterday, and he's so inexperienced that his size and strength didn't help him.  He was getting knocked down at the line of scrimmage-- three times.  He didn't catch a pass.  He messed up his routes.  He really struggled.  He is a favorite of coaches and teammates for his personality and obvious athleticism, but it's very possible he will not be drafted at all.  CFL scouts have been circling.

Just from a raw tools and experience standpoint, Robinson is way ahead of Rasheed Marshall, who got drafted as a WR last year. I have to think he'll go in the 5th/6th at worst. I find it hard that such a natural football player would go undrafted. I also think the team that drafts him should take a look at what tennessee has done with Marcus Randall. Robinson is physical enough to have a shot at safety too.

Maybe I'm too pessimistic, hopefully. But a kid with a lesser attitude would have let this week depress him. He was almost humorously pathetic trying to get off the line against DBs who've had some pro coaching on the jam. The WRs have had a few days to learn how to deal with it, and they've been dealing with it in college to a certain extent. MRob was getting pancaked at wr, and there was laughter among some scouts. Not good. Nothing has gone well for Robinson this week. It's been his worst case scenario. He even measured an inch shorter than expected. Denver, Seattle and New England are teams who seem willing to give very developmental athletes a chance. Philly and Pittsburgh could score some points locally by drafting him. All five of them have wr needs. So yeah, he'll probably be drafted sometime on the second day, but this might be a wr class withouth elite talent, but it is deep. Robinson probably has about 30 WRs well ahead of him right now. He can certainly change that by showing great hands and better speed at the Combine, a few nice plays Saturday would help too. I'm pulling for him.

at WORST, he could be an excellent gunner on special teams, and a gadget play/last WR on the bench guy. Ive seen players get drafted with less to offer than that. the fact that he's very coachable makes it hard for me to think he falls into his worst case scenario. To overlook his natural talent as a pure football player and the adaptability he already showed at PSU because of a bad week at practices would be unwise, imo. Robinson is the kind of kid that would wrestle grizzly bears while on fire if the coaches asked him to. He will contribute in some way in the NFL, i cant envision a scenario where that doesnt happen.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Guys, I pimped this kid here and elsewhere with enthusiasm this year. I love his quickness, power, and toughness and I love his attitude. But he has had an awful week at the Senior Bowl. At QB he didn't come close to looking like he might be developmental. He moved to WR yesterday, and he's so inexperienced that his size and strength didn't help him. He was getting knocked down at the line of scrimmage-- three times. He didn't catch a pass. He messed up his routes. He really struggled. He is a favorite of coaches and teammates for his personality and obvious athleticism, but it's very possible he will not be drafted at all. CFL scouts have been circling.

Just from a raw tools and experience standpoint, Robinson is way ahead of Rasheed Marshall, who got drafted as a WR last year. I have to think he'll go in the 5th/6th at worst. I find it hard that such a natural football player would go undrafted. I also think the team that drafts him should take a look at what tennessee has done with Marcus Randall. Robinson is physical enough to have a shot at safety too.

Maybe I'm too pessimistic, hopefully. But a kid with a lesser attitude would have let this week depress him. He was almost humorously pathetic trying to get off the line against DBs who've had some pro coaching on the jam. The WRs have had a few days to learn how to deal with it, and they've been dealing with it in college to a certain extent. MRob was getting pancaked at wr, and there was laughter among some scouts. Not good. Nothing has gone well for Robinson this week. It's been his worst case scenario. He even measured an inch shorter than expected. Denver, Seattle and New England are teams who seem willing to give very developmental athletes a chance. Philly and Pittsburgh could score some points locally by drafting him. All five of them have wr needs. So yeah, he'll probably be drafted sometime on the second day, but this might be a wr class withouth elite talent, but it is deep. Robinson probably has about 30 WRs well ahead of him right now. He can certainly change that by showing great hands and better speed at the Combine, a few nice plays Saturday would help too. I'm pulling for him.

at WORST, he could be an excellent gunner on special teams, and a gadget play/last WR on the bench guy. Ive seen players get drafted with less to offer than that. the fact that he's very coachable makes it hard for me to think he falls into his worst case scenario. To overlook his natural talent as a pure football player and the adaptability he already showed at PSU because of a bad week at practices would be unwise, imo. Robinson is the kind of kid that would wrestle grizzly bears while on fire if the coaches asked him to. He will contribute in some way in the NFL, i cant envision a scenario where that doesnt happen.

 

[TheLaw]

I always thought he would make a better RB than WR. The guy is strong, can make people miss, and fast.

 

[Chaos Commish]

I always thought he would make a better RB than WR. The guy is strong, can make people miss, and fast.

Maybe that's part of the problem. Jack of all trades master of none? 6-1, 218, nice hands, good power, decent speed, shifty moves, smart as they come-- could certainly be an RB.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Another college QB/athlete in the same category who seems to be getting bigger props for his ability to convert is Brad Smith.

 

[stevec]

Guys who can play QB/RB/WR adequately at a major divison 1 college and are willing to work, and be coachable, and play ST have a role in the NFL.He oozes Steelers draft pick, and he even gets local fans jazzed a bit. If you asked me to predict one player-team draft combo, it's Robinson-Steelers, ahead of even Bush-Texans.

 

[Bloom]

Another college QB/athlete in the same category who seems to be getting bigger props for his ability to convert is Brad Smith.

Smith is definitely more electric with the ball in his hands than Robinson. I see him projected as an RB some places, but he seems too tall and skinny for that role. thoughts?

 

[Sheriff66]

Guys who can play QB/RB/WR adequately at a major divison 1 college and are willing to work, and be coachable, and play ST have a role in the NFL.

He oozes Steelers draft pick, and he even gets local fans jazzed a bit. If you asked me to predict one player-team draft combo, it's Robinson-Steelers, ahead of even Bush-Texans.

Just not too early....

 

[TheLaw]

Guys who can play QB/RB/WR adequately at a major divison 1 college and are willing to work, and be coachable, and play ST have a role in the NFL.

He oozes Steelers draft pick, and he even gets local fans jazzed a bit. If you asked me to predict one player-team draft combo, it's Robinson-Steelers, ahead of even Bush-Texans.

Just not too early....

Will have to reach into the 2nd or 3rd I think for him. Kordel, Randal El, and Hines were all 2nd rounders or am I delusional?

 

[stevec]

Guys who can play QB/RB/WR adequately at a major divison 1 college and are willing to work, and be coachable, and play ST have a role in the NFL.

He oozes Steelers draft pick, and he even gets local fans jazzed a bit. If you asked me to predict one player-team draft combo, it's Robinson-Steelers, ahead of even Bush-Texans.

Just not too early....

I'm guessing in the 4th. First pick of the new day, plenty of time for the PSU buzz to get peopel feeling good.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Guys who can play QB/RB/WR adequately at a major divison 1 college and are willing to work, and be coachable, and play ST have a role in the NFL.

He oozes Steelers draft pick, and he even gets local fans jazzed a bit. If you asked me to predict one player-team draft combo, it's Robinson-Steelers, ahead of even Bush-Texans.

Just not too early....

Will have to reach into the 2nd or 3rd I think for him. Kordel, Randal El, and Hines were all 2nd rounders or am I delusional?

I cannot fathom him going in the 2nd with this deep pool of talent. Remember, there's almost 60 players coming out who all have traditional first round talent. Even the third round is going to be packed with players seen as sure thing future NFL starters. The 4th round is the earliest I see it happening. That would be good for Robinson too, because the higher the pick spent the greater attention paid to the investment.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Another college QB/athlete in the same category who seems to be getting bigger props for his ability to convert is Brad Smith.

Smith is definitely more electric with the ball in his hands than Robinson. I see him projected as an RB some places, but he seems too tall and skinny for that role. thoughts?

I agree. I think NFL Draft Scout is the only place that ranked him as an RB, but that site is so respected that many are following along with the RB thing. Robinson looks much more the part of a running back than Smith. Who knows?

 

[harrycarey]

I don't see a QB being converted to RB in the NFL because it seems it would take a lot longer to do that than go to WR. Barrick Nealy, Brad Smith, DJ Schockley are some other possibilities..

 

[milkyclr]

I don't see a QB being converted to RB in the NFL because it seems it would take a lot longer to do that than go to WR. Barrick Nealy, Brad Smith, DJ Schockley are some other possibilities..

Willie Parker for the Steelers barely played any RB in college and has improved a lot over the course of basically one year. The main reason? Probably a great teacher in Jerome Bettis. If Robinson would happen to go to Pittsburgh (which I would love as a PSU student and Pittsburgh native), if he went to wide reciever, I'm sure Hines would teach him a thing or two and get him on the right road quickly.

 

[Chaos Commish]

I just watched ESPN's coverage of practice. One commentator said Robinson will not be drafted. Kiper said a very late pick is possible and talked a bit about him being moved to safety.

 

[TheLaw]

I just watched ESPN's coverage of practice. One commentator said Robinson will not be drafted. Kiper said a very late pick is possible and talked a bit about him being moved to safety.

wow.