The Nittany Turkey

Primarily about Penn State football, this is a tale told by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

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Gimme da Damn Ball — but don’t make me run

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Allen Robinson
Allen Robinson remains focused on the sideline while Christian Hackenberg tells him some shit.

The knock on former Penn State wideout Allen Robinson has involved two areas: speed and hands. The NFL scouting report on him stated that he didn’t have separation speed and he catches the ball against his body instead of with his hands. His performance at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine this weekend validated some of  the NFL scouts’ concerns.

The NFL Scouting Combine doesn’t test catching ability, but they certainly test speed in a number of ways. The most bandied about stat is the 40 yard dash, something we all can relate to. Robinson flat-0ut sucked in that drill, running a 4.60. Hell, some defensive linemen can run 4.60; they make excellent edge rushers. (The great Jadeveon Clowney of South Carolina ran a 4.47; Jackson Jeffcoat of Texas ran a 4.60; and Chris Smith of Arkansas ran a 4.54.)

Where did Robinson excel? The long jump. He leaped 127 inches over the sawdust.

Getting back to speed comparisons, the NFL’s assessment of GTDB seems to be true. By way of comparison to other WRs we know and love, here’s where that 4.60 fits in:

Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin: 4.50
Kelvin Benjamin, FSU: 4.61
Corey Brown, tOSU: 4.51
Martavis Bryant, Clemson: 4.42
Brandin Cooks, Oregon St.: 4.33
Bennie Fowler, Moo U.: 4.52
Jeremy Gallon, Michigan: 4.49
Sammy Watkins, Clemson: 4.43

If you want to know about real speed, our friend (because he sat out our game) Dri Archer of Kent State recorded a 4.26. My recollection is that former Penn State wideout Eddie Drummond beat that mark with a 4.22 a dozen years ago.

So, what we can conclude here is that GTDB doesn’t have whatchacall “elite speed”. They talk about separation speed after the catch and the oft referred to film clip showing a DB chasing down Robinson from behind. That does not bespeak first-round speed.

Hands, now that’s a subjective area. NFL scouts will see what they see, and thus far they’ve seen Robinson catching the ball against his body, which he sometimes has to do twice to haul it in.

Only one of the WR contestants beat Robinson in the long jump, although a  couple tied him. This means that he has a certain spring in his step.

My assessment for now is that Robinson won’t go in the first round. There are just too many talented wide receivers in this pool, many of whom have the requisite speed. The best things Robinson has going for him are NFL size and leaping ability. Furthermore, I don’t see Robinson as a first-option WR in the NFL. Perhaps third, maybe, possibly, but not the main go-to guy.

 

Gimme the damn baaalllllllllllllllll (going, going, gone)!

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Yet another high-profile member of the Penn State football family will leave the University for the promised land of the NFL. This time, it’s a player, namely, Allen “Gimme Da Damn Ball” Robinson, who will enter the NFL Draft.

Robinson is the favorite receiver of Big Ten Freshman of the Year quarterback Christian Hackenberg, and of course, he is very much his own favorite receiver, a legend in his own mind. betfinal ???????

Robinson has the goods, so there is good foundation for his, um, self-assuredness. He is forecast to be a first-round pick. Encouragingly, he showed humility, if not grammar, in his statement:

“It was a great honor to play at Penn State. I am  blessed to have played with, and for, the people in the Penn State program. ????? ???? ???? ????? This is a decision that I believe is best for my family and I, and I wish all the best to the University and all of my teammates. ????? ????? ”

Amidst some pretty talented receivers, Robinson had been named Big Ten receiver of the year for the past two years.

Even though his career will be cut short, Robinson ranks second in receptions and third in receiving yardage on Penn State’s all time lists.

Bill O’Brien’s departure undoubtedly had an impact on GTDB’s decision. The uncertainty of the future at Penn State, plus his projected first-roundedness provided all the remaining data points he needed.