LA Rams transforming A’Shawn Robinson into a lean mean fighting machine

The LA Rams are most certainly taking a more active role in reforming the role of 2020 free agent signing A’Shawn Robinson. With the team losing two defensive linemen, both of whom played significant roles from the defensive end position, the team naturally would like to whittle Robinson’s massive frame into one more adept at playing multiple roles on a 3-4 defensive front.

So the LA Rams are asking him to do exactly that. In fact, the strength and conditioning folks hope that he drops 20 or more pounds. Paring down is all part of the master plan for Robinson, as he arrived at 330 pounds. The plan now? Push 300-305 pounds. Why is that important? Well, for Robinson, to play the versatile multi-positional role that the Rams intend for him

There was a movie in the early 1980s called Stripes. In that moving, John Candy enters a wrestling competition as is convinced to do so by proclaiming that he was transformed into a ‘Lean, Mean, Fighting Machine’.  That same transformation is what A’Shawn Robinson is experiencing right now.

The Rams certainly have multiple reasons to endorse Robinson on the roster. Not only will he be expected to pick up the defensive snaps vacated by outbound Michael Brockers and Morgan Fox, but he is most certainly in the plans of plan B if the Rams are unable to re-sign Sebastian Joseph Day for the 2022 and beyond NFL seasons.

Robinson is a savvy veteran, and while he is not on par with All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald, he does have his own set of positive attributes that will endear him to the fans. He is incredibly powerful. Even as the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line seemed to dominate in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs, they didn’t move Robinson off his mark.

He also has the experience to improvise and create havoc at the line of scrimmage. The Rams didn’t enjoy his play in 2020 as he was sidelined with a non-football-related condition. He is back this year from the get-go, and that will provide a healthy veteran boost to a very young defensive front. This may not be a make-or-break year for the veteran defensive lineman. But it is a perfect chance to benefit from the Aaron Donald effect.