AD on A’Shawn Robinson: ‘He knows we need him to step up big time’.

Aaron Donald on A'Shawn Robinson: 'He knows we need him to step up big time'

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Cameron DaSilva

A’Shawn Robinson was one of the Rams’ big free-agent additions last offseason, signing him to a two-year contract worth $17 million. His first season in L.A. didn’t go according to plan, however, as he missed the first eight games while on the non-football injury list.

Hopefully he can bounce back with a better 2021 campaign now that he’s fully healthy and even slimmed down, playing at 308 pounds. He’s expected to step in as the starting defensive end after Michael Brockers was traded, and those in Los Angeles know how important a player he is.

Aaron Donald said this week that Robinson knows the Rams are counting on him to come through.

“He knows we need him to step up big time for us this year, it’s that leadership role for him now. So, he’s got to be ready, he’s got to be pure because we’re depending on him. He put the body of work and it’s going to pay off this year for himself,” Donald said.

Not only does Donald believe Robinson must step up, but he’s confident the former Lions defensive lineman will hold his own in place of Brockers.

“Him being gone, there is definitely going to be a void,” Donald said of Brockers. “But A’Shawn is going to step up big time for us and hold it down and make a lot of plays for us.”

Losing weight was a goal of Robinson’s this offseason after talking to his coaches and trainers, and he’s shed about 22 pounds. He feels lighter and more explosive, which is a great thing for the Rams.

Donald doesn’t really care what weight Robinson is playing at as long as he can do his job and hold up against double teams.

“As long as you can still hold your double team, do what you need to do,” Donald said. “You might play a three-(technique), you might play a shade, you might play a four-(technique), might play a five-(technique). You just got to be able to transition to wherever they put you and be able to hold your own.”

Robinson doesn’t have to be a Pro Bowler next to Donald and Sebastian Joseph-Day. He just has to help fill the shoes of Brockers as a run defender and offer some help as a pass rusher. There’s no reason to believe he can’t do that.