It’s been 91 days since he’s been a Robinson Twice in Northeast Washington.
“I wanted to say this in front of the team, but since it all happened in August, I promise you man — everyone in this room has shown unconditional love and support, man,” he said in a video The team posted on Twitter. “Just for helping me get to this point, really, man, I couldn’t be more grateful to everyone in this room, man. You were all the ones I go to the most after going through what I’ve been through, man. Just to have these The opportunity to do what you did today, I give all the credit to you man. Thank you all.”
The locker room exploded in applause for the rookie who, in an exceptional performance, led the leaders offense to 19-13 victory Over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Robinson totaled 18 carries for 105 yards, added two catches for 20 yards and a touchdown, and his ability to make it through despite Atlanta’s heavy chests and five-man fronts highlighted the value of the role Washington needed to fill when it drafted him at third down. Tour out of Alabama this past spring.
“His performance was amazing,” said Rivera.
Jonathan Williams, the third runner who went to Arkansas, said every SEC comeback prides himself on having a tough, hard-hitting style. But he admitted that Robinson had so few physical Sunday drives that he had to say, “Oh, my God.”
One of them was early in the fourth quarter, when Robinson ran through an arm tackle, lunged into the cornerback, threw to a safety and pulled two would-be first tacklers.
“I’m not sure what his birthday is, but on that day, God gave him a lot of strength — and some size,” Williams said. “It’s genetics.”
In the first half, offensive coordinator Scott Turner stuck to the formula he used so often with Robinson. He gave him the ball on first down, second and middle. Seemingly every time, Robinson was decisive, lunging into a heavy front and grinding from four to six yards. It was a human snowplow, keeping the roads crime free to stay on schedule.
Late in the first quarter, it looked like Atlanta was making a tackle on Robinson, so Turner turned it in. He got the offense in a classic running guise—tight formations, tight ends, wide receiver Cam Sims—but instead called a pass. Robinson swarmed into the apartment. Taylor Heinecke hit him with a stride.
Robinson ran over cornerback Darren Hall, backed up by linebacker Mykal Walker and extended his arm for the first touchdown of his career.
“You’re up for a defensive linebacker,” said Robinson. “You have to win at least 80, 90 percent of the time. So I pulled the trigger, and it worked out well.”
In the second half, perhaps it felt like the heavy running style was wearing on the Falcons’ front, and Turner leaned on Robinson more. Washington’s first possession fell to third-and-1, and Turner got into tight formation again, signaling a lead at quarterback. Instead, Robinson took the ball on an extended run left and used two excellent receiving blocks out for a 21-yard gain.
“I wish he was a little faster,” jokes wide receiver Diame Brown, a blocker. “I’ll take him to speed training in the off-season, so he can score [next time]. “
On the next drive, Turner started with a Robinson (five-yard) run. Then another (six), another (seven), and another (two). In all, Turner called nine runs in 11 plays – six to Robinson – and Henkee threw a touchdown to eliminate John Bates a goal the team never relinquished. Robinson has gone from a snowplow to a fast-paced car.
In the locker room afterwards, after Robinson’s speech, the rookie was scrambled by teammates. The running backs Williams and Antonio Gibson said he was nowhere near his roof. Everyone praised his resilience and personality.
“Man, that was heartwarming,” defensive end Montez Suit said of the speech. “With everything he’s been through, you just want him to succeed — and to be a part of that makes him feel so much better.”
“I was happy and proud of him for what he’s been through and just the kind of person he is,” said Charles Leno Jr. “He’s an amazing person, an amazing human being, and I love everything about him.”
After a whirlwind of interviews, Robinson is back in his closet, wearing his big hat pushed back. He said he was trying to help promote his friend’s big hat business. Ron Dyer, whose daughter became a friend of Robinson’s in Alabama, bought the hat from NogginBoss, which was featured on the groundbreaking TV show ‘Shark Tank’. Caleb said Dyer and his son Caleb made a custom design for the leaders and gave it to Robinson.
The silly moment seemed fitting for a team and player who likely emerged from a storm and found success.
“If you want a big hat, let me know,” said Robinson, smiling.
Niki Gabvala contributed to this report.
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