Bengals foreshadow how promising rookie could take on a completely new and fun role if he makes the team
We love to see defensive tackles try their hand at being a goal line fullback. Is Cincinnati Bengals rookie DT Landon Robinson next? The Bengals’ latest training camp practice suggests he is!
I got three words for you: Heavy. Lead. Blocker.
We love to see defensive tackles try their hand at being a goal line full back. Think Domata Peko during the Marvin Lewis era, Dontari Poe back in the day for the Kansas City Chiefs, or William “Refrigerator” Perry in the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl victory.
Is Cincinnati Bengals rookie DT Landon Robinson next? Latest Bengals training camp practice suggests he is!
Landon Robinson tries his hand on offense
Fresh off of his preseason debut in which he posted a sack and an additional pressure on 45 snaps, Robinson got the nod from offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher to lead-block for Samaje Perine in a red zone drill during Tuesday’s practice.
“Coach Pitcher came to me and said, ‘Hey Landon, have you ever played fullback?’” Robinson recalled to Bengals radio commentator Dan Hoard. “I was able to sit in on a couple of offensive meetings and he installed the goal line package.
“The quickness I use at D-line kind of translates to fullback. Low center of gravity and boom! I think it worked out pretty well.”
It did work out pretty well. Robinson successfully picked up second-year linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. in the hole, and Perine crossed the goal line.
Robinson could find himself here in a real game
There’s no use practicing it if you’re never going to deploy it for real. Robinson may be getting used to the NFL at his own position, but his stature makes him uniquely qualified to handle this niche role.
Robinson is listed as 6-0, 295 pounds. He looks even shorter and stouter in person. His natural pad level and lower center of gravity combined with his impressive explosion and power is an ideal mix to get downhill and generate movement. He is tough to take on already when he’s coming off of a three-point stance right in front of an interior offensive lineman. When he has a full head of steam? I certainly wouldn’t want to be in front of him.
Cincinnati has 10 days to decide whether or not it can keep Robinson, a seventh-round pick from April’s NFL Draft, on its 53-man roster. The defensive line room is currently packed, and he is on the bubble with five other DTs who are either roster locks, or more experienced with good chances of sticking around.
If Robinson is still here after final cuts, keep this moment of training camp in the back of your mind on the weeks he’s active, and the Bengals have the ball right next to the end zone. You may just see the rookie help pound the ball in for six points.
