How can LA Rams reboot A’Shawn Robinson this season

Sack the quarterback

Pressuring the quarterback is the key to defending the pass, and most offenses pass 60+ percent of the time. And yet, 2020 was the first season for A’Shawn Robinson did not record a quarterback sack. Of course, prior to playing with the Rams, Robinson had never played fewer than 408 defensive snaps. In 2020, he only saw action for 111 defensive snaps.

That is a huge drop of defensive play and is most noticeable in the defender’s ability to rush the quarterback. By nature, Robinson is the defensive lineman who is tasked with creating a stone wall as the line of scrimmage. That means he must hold his ground, let the play develop in front of him, and then shed one or both blockers to make the tackle on the ball carrier.

Robinson continues to have run responsibility

On a pass play, Robinson must still ensure that there is no play-action or run option that will place the football into a running back’s hands. After that is assured, he then rushes the passer. Since he gives the play a second or two to develop, he does not rack up double-digit sacks. But that could change.

Robinson is the big-pawed defensive lineman who throws his hands up and deflects the pass at the line of scrimmage. He’s managed to do so17 times in his five-year NFL career. After all, he can do so from his middle-of-the-field location.  That completely frustrates opposing quarterbacks and offenses.

But Robinson will not be the nose tackle exclusively for the LA Rams. In 2021, he will enjoy a more diverse role, which will most certainly include getting after the passer. To date, the A’Shawn Robinson has only gotten to the quarterback five times in his career. That number could double this year alone if Robinson is given the chance to bring down the passer.  Of course, A’Shawn Robinson did not contribute as hoped for in 2020.

But the Rams have already hit the reboot button.  Don’t be surprised to see a career season out of Robinson this year. And you heard it here first.