When less is more
Robinson fields passes, questions at Pro Day
Posted on 04/04/2011 by PonyFans.com
Of the 11 seniors who took part in SMUΓÇÖs Pro Day workouts at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, the player who has the most to gain ended up doing the least.
Wide receiver Aldrick Robinson was the only SMU player invited to take part in the NFL Combine last month, where he was among the top-performing wide receivers in the 40-yard dash (4.43 seconds) and in the 60-yard shuttle (11.01). He also did 17 repetitions on the NFL-standard 225-pound bench press, leaped 40 inches in the vertical jump and 10-6 in the broad jump, and posted impressive times in the 3-cone drill (6.65) and the short shuttle (4.09).
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Wide receiver Aldrick Robinson has had private workouts for the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins (photo by Travis Johnston). |
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In part because he was pleased with those performances, Robinson chose not to re-test the events at Pro Day, allowing his numbers from the Combine to stand.
ΓÇ£I was thinking about running, but my trainer told me not to run on the new turf (at Ford Stadium),ΓÇ¥ Robinson said. ΓÇ£With new turf, it can be a little slow. It will be fast, but it hasnΓÇÖt been run on yet. ItΓÇÖs going to be fast, but itΓÇÖs kind of soft now.ΓÇ¥
When he did finally take the field, Robinson fielded a few punts and joined fellow SMU wideout Patrick Fleming in running an assortment of routes, catching passes from Midwestern State quarterback Zach Eskridge. On one pass, however, Robinson injured a shoulder.
ΓÇ£I went for a low ball, and when I put my hand down, I landed wrong,ΓÇ¥ Robinson said. ΓÇ£I thought I felt something pop. I donΓÇÖt think itΓÇÖs dislocated or anything, but I could barely lift my arm after that. IΓÇÖm going to go get it checked out.ΓÇ¥
Despite his limited participation Monday, Robinson drew more attention from the gathered scouts than his teammates. Robinson, who has had private workouts with the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, said the feedback has been positive and encouraging.
ΓÇ£They said all good things,ΓÇ¥ he said of the scouts with whom he spoke Monday. ΓÇ£Nobody said anything specific about where they think I should be drafted or anything, but they had a lot of good things to say.ΓÇ¥
Teams have shown interest in Robinson for different skills, he said. He ran pass routes for the BearsΓÇÖ scout, while the Dolphins seemed more interested in seeing him field punts.
ΓÇ£I did pretty goodΓÇ¥ fielding the punts, Robinson said. ΓÇ£They had me try to catch four of them with one hand ΓÇö I dropped one of those.ΓÇ¥
Apparently the Dolphins were impressed enough at least to do further research on Robinson; he said he expects to visit the Dolphins in Miami for an extended audition April 18 or 19.
Robinson said he talked the most with MiamiΓÇÖs scout at Pro Day; after the Dolphins, he said the Indianapolis Colts showed the most interest Monday.
Robinson said he has enjoyed the process of preparing first for the Combine and then for MondayΓÇÖs Pro Day, but acknowledged that he is glad to have both events in his rearview mirror.
ΓÇ£IΓÇÖm glad this part is over, IΓÇÖm glad Pro Day is over,ΓÇ¥ he said. ΓÇ£Hopefully now I can get some more private workouts set up. Until then, IΓÇÖll continue to work out and make sure IΓÇÖm ready for my next chance.ΓÇ¥