A’Shawn Robinson was built for Coach Henny’s #Dawgwork

Whether or not you are excited to have veteran defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson lining up on the LA Rams defensive front really doesn’t matter to the guy. That is not to throw shade at anyone, nor is it intended to put up some ethereal wall between the fans and the player. The truth of it all is that A’Shawn Robinson was berated and unappreciated to the breaking point in his four seasons with the Detroit Lions.

And when he arrived at the LA Rams roster in 2020, it showed.

I’m not quite certain why some people think that insults, verbal harassment, and constant negative feedback are viable methods of motivating someone, but let’s be clear. It’s not. It doesn’t motivate children who are constantly ridiculed by parents, intentionally or unintentionally. It doesn’t build intimacy between two persons in a romantic relationship, whether unintentional, teasing, or intentional. And it certainly doesn’t motivate employees to do a better job, despite the overwhelming popularity by shop managers and bosses in the workplace.

Negatively charged HC gets negative results

But that was the motivational technique used by Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia on A’Shawn Robinson during the 2018 and 2019 NFL seasons. Those techniques have the reverse effect on players. Instead of forging a team, it simply fires up discontent and ire.

And perhaps even more telling

Since that experience with the Lions, Robinson himself has not had an easy time with things. He arrived at the LA Rams just when COVID-19 did.  His stat sheet at Pro Football Reference still lists him at 6-foot-4 and 330-pounds. Robinson was a big and powerful man, but the mental struggles of negative feedback from his head coach had taken their toll.

Robinson discovered even further football complications when he was diagnosed with a non-football-related medical condition that required months to get under control. By the time he was back on the football field, he had fallen in the depth chart rotation to a minimal role. But he didn’t give up, he didn’t surrender. And when the LA Rams competed in the 2020 NFL Playoffs, Robinson parlayed 36 defensive snaps into six tackles and one forced fumble. He was not there just yet, but he flashed where he could be with the right motivation.

A second chance

If A’Shawn Robinson had ever played for a positional coach like LA Rams DL Coach Eric Henderson, it hadn’t shown. Coach Henny has a unique approach to coaching players. He is willing to help any player in his unit to become their best version of themselves. But he is a straight shooter. What he saw in A’Shawn Robinson was a defensive lineman who could become a perennial Pro Bowler. But some things had to change.

And so they did. He dropped weight, modified his diet, and he added flexibility exercises like Pilates and Yoga. He even hired a chef to prepare meals for himself that would not only be nutritious and tasty but also would help him achieve his weight goals.

And that all came about because the LA Rams did not only see the player who arrived at the team, but also saw the player that Robinson could become.  And that was the exact opposite approach from that A’Shawn Robinson had experienced in Detroit.

The power of positive thinking

if you have ever been around someone who sees the best in you, you will eventually become the best version of yourself. That is how the LA Rams continue to succeed, continue to find gems in free agency and in the NFL Draft. It truly does not come down to the insights of persons in the Rams organization have about the players they add to the Rams roster. Rather, it is the Rams organization’s culture that feeds that desire in each player to compete, to get stronger, smarter, and more capable.

Before arriving at the LA Rams, the most sacks A’Shawn Robinson had ever put up were 2.0 quarterback sacks in one season. The most tackles? 53. But in 2021, he tied his career-high total of quarterback sacks with 2.0 and bested his highest tackles total by putting up 67 tackles. Well sure, it was a longer 17-game season, why wouldn’t he be better.

Until you look at his defensive snap count of 516 defensive snaps, which was only the third-most snaps of his career.

What a difference

By the time the LA Rams were competing for an NFL Playoff spot, Robinson began to heat up. Up to and including Week 9, Robinson had 30 tackles and no quarterback sacks. But in the final eight games, Robinson would account for 37 tackles and 2.0 quarterback sacks.

That feverishly effective pace would carry over into the NFL Playoffs, where he would put up an additional 22 tackles and one quarterback sack over just four games. While this was his second season with the LA Rams, it was really his first season with the team in terms of fully acclimated as a starter. And that season was, as many are with the LA Rams, his all-time career best.

But he can do better.

Give me something to believe in

If he is given more defensive snaps, he would easily push for 3.0 to 5.0 quarterback sacks. As far as tackles? Merely giving him more snaps can push his 2022 totals up to 100 tackles. No, I’m not losing my mind nor am I fudging the numbers, I’m talking about 500 defensive snaps to 750 defensive snaps.

But other forces are at work with A’Shawn Robinson right now. He is having fun playing football once more. He sees the talent that surrounds him with each play, and he is not about to be the guy who shows up as the weak link. He’s found a team. He is part of the #Ramily. He is home, and he is loving every minute of it.

A’Shawn Robinson is not on the LA Rams roster to collect a paycheck. You can see the smoldering fire in his eyes and his teammate Aaron Donald poured his heart out to rally the defense. Robinson is taking in every word and letting it fuel his fire.

All he needed was for an NFL team to give him something to believe in. Well, the LA Rams did him one better. Whether or not the fans are excited to have veteran defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson lining up on the LA Rams defensive front really doesn’t matter to the guy. You see, he can now believe in himself. And that’s all that is needed after all.