Robinson Races at Rookie Camp
Posted by on May 11, 2012 – 2:04 PM
Trenton Robinson couldn’t sleep very well last night. He tossed. He turned. He just couldn’t get his mind off of what was about to unfold – a three-day rookie minicamp at San Francisco 49ers headquarters that would signal the start of his career in the National Football League.
“I couldn’t wait to get out there,” said the team’s sixth-round selection No. 180 overall. “Last night, I really couldn’t sleep.”
If the Michigan State safety felt sluggish the night before, he certainly didn’t show it in the first of two rookie minicamp sessions held on Friday. With one of the first drills being a kickoff period, Robinson, the 5-foot-10, 195 pounder looked impressive while covering kicks.
“For me, I’ve just wanted to get back to this, get back into the flow of things,” said the two-time All-Big Ten honoree. “It’s been hard, but we’re back now, so it’s good.”
Robinson said he’s got plenty of work left to do, mostly getting an understanding of Vic Fangio’s entire defense. It’s killing Robinson not fully knowing the playbook.
At Michigan State, Robinson took extreme pride in lining up his fellow defensive teammates and understanding the complete defensive playbook.
“I knew our defense in and out, knew what was going on all the time,” Robinson explained. “It’s a transition when you get into a new system. You’ve got to learn what you need to do on every single play.”
Robinson knows he has more studying to do, but for now he takes satisfaction that he’s surrounded by great people, including Michigan State tight end Garrett Celek, an undrafted free agent picked up by San Francisco.
“It’s a great feeling,” Robinson said. “If I want to talk somebody, I’m comfortable with him, he’s a Spartan dog. Also, the rest of the guys who I’ve been meeting out here have been pretty good guys, stand-up guys. We all have the same dream so we’re not getting in anyone’s way of making their dream come true.”
For undrafted players like Celek, having any type of added comfort while competing for a roster spot is certainly welcomed.
“I came in nervous because I don’t know anybody right away but Trent,” shared Celek, who started 12 games for the Spartans and caught 14 passes for 135 yards and three touchdowns. “We’re good buddies, so it made the transition really easy.”
The Spartan duo will look to lean on each other throughout the weekend with four more practices still left on the schedule.
“They’re throwing a lot of stuff at us really fast, it’s hard, but I enjoy football,” Celek added. “Just being around everybody all the players and the coaches, it’s a real good time.”
Tags: Garrett Celek, Trenton Robinson
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By Vortex on May 11, 2012 | Reply
Seems like Trenton Robinson is going to add some much needed speed to the center-field position. Nothing against Goldson and Witner, but we needed more speed at safety and he seems to do that.
Also Colin Jones should also be much improved in his second year and I think he can be a strong safety too.
Slowey at Center, interesting. Goodwin is a natural guard, but I would think the line shuffles from left to right with the best starting at left tackle Joe Staley, who has a face for Comedy!
We could always shift Anthony Davis inside, because he’s a more natural guard, but he really grew last season at right tackle after an up and down rookie year.
Nice to see we are taking a flier on Celek, let’s hope he can be like his brother.
Training camp this year is going to be the most competitive it’s been in a decade!
By ftgambit on May 11, 2012 | Reply
Vortex, pretty sure Dashon wont be taking offense to anything you say or these rookies do, the 9ers just franchise tagged him. He will not be going anywhere barring injury, hes the starter. All Robinson needs to worry about is learning from Goldson and other ST vets covering kicks and he will end up either here or some other team with an opportunity. Very few rookies have a chance to sit behind players this good and watch and learn and soak it all up, theres a lot of lousy teams out there with less talent and worst coaching so if anything these guys should be thrilled!
By time2speakup on May 12, 2012 | Reply
@ftgambit: you certainly hit the nail on the head with, “….lot of lousy teams out there with less talent and worst coaching…” that will definitly be all over the majority of kids we let go. Which speaks to two key things, I think. One, whichever rookies we do keep, we can be absolutely certain he(s) a real NFL-caliber player, and two he enhanced what we already had. And that is saying something.
By jrparker on May 12, 2012 | Reply
Robinson was a steal in the 6th. Billy Wynn DE would have been a steal in the 5th as well. I wish our coaches saw him that way. He gave some of the best offensive linemen in college fits.
By rick on May 13, 2012 | Reply
we had speed at safety with Taylor Mays and size but sometimes character means more than just raw physical talent.
By looneytunes65 on May 16, 2012 | Reply
I find great comfort in the depth we have at a lot of our key potions… The hardest task will be deciding who stays, who is pratice squad and who is off to fill another roster. the powers to be have so carefully pick these players and it is good to know that people we have to cut are most likely good enough to start some where else.. Our average age is 26 how can you not be happy about that either
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