Kelly: Everyone’s chipping in on Chop Robinson’s development | Opinion
There’s a Chop Robinson sack celebration that has already been picked out and practiced.
It more than likely features some kind of creative use of a chop that’s clearly a play on his name, but we’ve had a lengthy wait for the unveiling.
No sacks so far in 2024 means no sack celebration, and while Robinson has come pretty close to a couple of quarterback take downs -- particularly last Sunday against the elusive Kyler Murray, whom he had his hands on about three times - the Miami Dolphins’ 2024 first-round pick hasn’t closed the deal in seven games and 204 defensive snaps.
“They say once you get the first one they come in bundles, but the first one is the hardest to get,” said Robinson, whose pressure will be critical to making Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen uncomfortable in Sunday’s game.
The fact that a pass rusher who was taken with the 21st overall pick because of his electric first step - not his college productivity since he only had 11.5 sacks in three seasons - has gotten off to a slow start oozes of irony, but that’s Robinson’s rookie reality heading into Sunday’s critical showdown against the Bills.
“The first one is usually the hardest. You want it so bad,” said Calais Campbell, a 17-year veteran who is ranked third - behind Buffalo’s Von Miller and New Orlean’s Cameron Jordan - in active players with 107.5 career sacks.
Campbell’s one of the many Dolphins players who have taken Robinson under their wing this season, mentoring him, teaching him the finer points of his position, and what it takes to an accomplished, productive NFL career.
Campbell has worked with Robinson on the art of edge setting, which happens to be his specialty.
Robinson has made significant strides in that area this past month, so much so he’s no longer viewed as a pass rushing specialist who comes onto the field on obvious passing downs.
“You’re young and you don’t know anything yet,” Campbell said, referring to the journey Robinson’s on. “He’s been rushing his butt off, getting so close, [he’s] missed a couple [sacks]. The good thing is he’s getting shots on goal. I tell guys all the time, don’t really fall in love with the results. Make sure you’re winning your matchup and putting yourself in position to make plays. This is the NFL, quarterbacks are tough tackles and they are going to throw the ball quick.”
While the Dolphins view Robinson as a starter he’s far from a finished product. His next challenge is learning how to finish plays, turning pressures into sacks, and diversifying his pass rushing portfolio.
Last month Robinson began working with Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead after every Thursday practice, learning how a seasoned offensive linemen like Armstead, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, thinks.
“You do this and I’m doing that,” Armstead said, describing the work. “It could help a little, it could help a lot, maybe not at all. But it doesn’t hurt.”
The biggest takeaway what how to set up offensive linemen by diversifying his rushes, going from speed to power.
Robinson’s pressure rate (11 pressures in 104 pass rushing snaps) isn’t bad. His success rate, win percentage has him ranked 33rd of 84 edge players who have rushed the quarterback at least 100 times this season, per Pro Football Focus.
“He’s a guy who has been in the game for a long time and has gone against the best in the NFL. [Armstead] gave me the tricks that he used against them,” said Robinson, who has accounted for 15 tackles and 11 pressures this season. “It’s the things that worked for him his whole career. He told me those things and I’ve been taking it to the game and I feel like I’m getting closer and closer.”
Success requires patience, and commitment, and the Dolphins have seen both from the former Penn State standout, who has been asked to do more than Miami initially planned for various reasons.
Let’s start with Miami’s decision makers deciding against re-signing Andrew Van Ginkel, who is having a productive season (33 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions) in Minnesota as a starter for the Vikings.
Shaq Barrett, the player Miami signed to replace Van Ginkel, surprisingly retired before training camp, creating a massive need, which led to the Dolphins re-signing Emmanuel Ogbah.
Jaelan Phillip made a miraculous comeback nine months after tearing his Achilles tendon last November, but suffered a season-ending knee injury after four games.
And Bradley Chubb and Cameron Goode, who are both on the physically unable to perform list because of the injuries they suffered last December, are at least a month away from being cleared to practice, if not longer.
That leaves Miami’s edge spots in the hands of Ogbah, who is playing with a tear in his bicep muscles, Robinson and fellow rookie Mohamed Kamara, newly signed veteran Tyus Bowser, and Quinton Bell.
Robinson’s stature as a first-round pick has created expectations from the fan base that hasn’t been delivered on yet.
While he’s far from a finished product, he’s getting better each and every time he’s on the field, and that was defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s hope for the rookie.
“I’m pleased with his trajectory and how he’s grown so far this season. I know the sack hasn’t been there yet, but he’s close,” Weaver said. “Like I tell all rushers, they come in bunches. As soon as you get that first one, you usually get a bunch of them back-to-back.”
