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Why has A'Shawn Robinson's role been limited in recent weeks?
Cameron DaSilva
October 22, 2021 6:45 am PT
A’Shawn Robinson was one of the Rams’ most notable free-agent signings in 2020, alongside Leonard Floyd. The two were expected to take the defense to new heights, but only one of them has really made a significant impact in the last season and a half.
Robinson has had a relatively quiet tenure with the Rams, playing 14 games since the start of last season. He missed eight games in 2020 while on the non-football injury list and wasn’t a full-time player when he returned.
He hasn’t played most of the snaps this season, either, getting on the field for just 31% of the defensive snaps. His role has shrunk in the last two weeks, playing 13 snaps (20%) against the Seahawks and 14 snaps (19%) against the Giants.
Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris said he doesn’t pay attention to snap counts and attributes Robinson’s reduced role to the Rams’ defensive line rotation, which is dependent on run and pass situations.
“I wouldn’t even know about his snap count. We have roles in our defense. We have certain things that we do,” he said Thursday. “I think A’Shawn has been really been playing really good football for us. So, it wouldn’t be a result of a coach saying to get them less snaps. But if we’re in a pass rush situation, I’d probably want to see a little bit more (Michael) Hoecht than I want to see A’Shawn. We’re in a run situation, definitely want to see more A’Shawn and not to say that they can’t do both, but just how it probably works out. Didn’t really think about the snap count in that.”
Against the Giants, Michael Hoecht and Jonah Williams both played more snaps than Robinson, getting on the field for 27 and 26 snaps, respectively. The week prior, Hoecht played 16 snaps and Williams played six compared to Robinson’s 13.
It’s very clearly a rotation, and that’s something every team uses up front, but Robinson is playing far less than Michael Brockers did last season and was essentially seen as his replacement.
For a guy making $8.5 million per year, Robinson should be playing more than he has been. He just hasn’t been very impactful when he’s been on the field.
