What can the Browns learn from Greg Robinson that helps at the NFL combine? This Week in the Cleveland Browns

Greg Robinson

Former Browns tackle Greg Robinson was a standout at the 2014 NFL combine but never reached his full potential. AP

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There are examples of flameouts littered throughout NFL history. This week, former Browns offensive tackle Greg Robinson added his name to that list.

Robinson, who is scheduled to become a free agent on March 18, was found with 157 pounds of marijuana in a rented vehicle in which he was riding in through El Paso, Texas. If convicted, Robinson faces 20 years in prison.

The Browns said they had no plans of re-signing Robinson even prior to his arrest. For the foreseeable future, it appears Robinson’s NFL career is over, at just 27.

In six seasons, he earned nearly $30 million dollars. So call him a bust if you want but for nearly two presidential terms, Robinson kept getting those checks. Then he flamed out.

With the NFL combine beginning Tuesday in Indianapolis, looking back on Robinson’s combine performance is jarring to the sympathetic and perhaps comical to the lighthearted. Robinson was considered a can’t miss prospect back then.

A quick reminder, the NFL Scouting Combine is an annual week-long showcase in Indianapolis where college players perform physical and mental tests in front of NFL coaches, GMs and scouts in hopes of improving their draft stock.

At the 2014 combine, Robinson looked like a generational left tackle. He measured 6-5 and 332 pounds, with 35-inch arms. Then his raw power roared when he bench pressed 225 pounds 32 times. However, his 32 reps was only fourth among linemen, despite his size advantage.

Which probably should’ve been a red flag that he wasn’t in great shape to begin with, but that’s the beauty of hindsight.

Then he showed off his athleticism, running a 4.88 40-yard dash. Once his workouts were over, most draft analysts considered Robinson the top tackle. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report even called Robinson the best tackle he’s evaluated since he started in 2002.

So why did he fail? In general, top picks bust for many reasons but the most common denominator between Robinson, Ryan Leaf or Johnny Manziel is, for whatever reason, they never put the work in and dedicate their lives to being a productive professional. Hopefully that is what the Browns’ new regime either already knew or can quickly learn from the Robinson experience. Testing well is important. The film is, too. How a player interviews matters and medicals must check out.

But most importantly, just do the research.

Find out if prospects were truly hard workers in high school and college. Or did they show up, meet their requirements and let natural talent carry them the rest of the way? Don’t take a player’s word for it; go find out if they have built the dedication needed to succeed in the pros over the first eight years of their organized football-playing lives.

Take Iowa tackle Tristan Wirfs for example. Wirfs made noise this past offseason for all the right reasons. He set the Hawkeyes’ hang cleaning record at 450 pounds, a mark he worked specifically to break.

“It’s been on my mind,” Wirfs told the Athletic last spring. “Every day I pass it and see it (on the wall), so it’s been kind of on my mind since I got here."

That’s the point. Envision a goal, work toward that mark and achieve. It sounds like Wirfs will take that same mindset to the NFL. The Browns will have an opportunity to ask Wirfs about his hang clean record and much more this week at the combine.

On the Browns new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt

Van Pelt wants Baker Mayfield leading with his left foot -- At his introductory presser, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt spoke at length about his No. 1 goal this season of fixing the 2018 No. 1 pick by altering his footwork.

OBJ & Jarvis Landry ‘both deserve to get the ball as much as possible -- It wasn’t just Mayfield who Van Pelt raved about. Van Pelt also wants the Browns’ two high-profile pass catchers to eat in 2020 also.

Scribbling about Cleveland Browns’ new coaches -- Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto writes about the new coordinators and shares his views on both coaches.

On new defensive coordinator Joe Woods

Woods counts Mike Tomlin as his biggest mentor -- At his presser, Woods praised the Steelers head coach and talked at length about coaching Myles Garrett.

3 takeaways from Woods press conference (Video) -- Browns beat writers Mary Kay Cabot, Dan Labbe and Ellis L. Williams give their views on Woods’ presser.

LB coach Jason Tarver glad to be reunited with Woods -- The new linebacker coach is excited to coach under Woods once again.

On Browns players’ off the field activities

Landry opts for hip surgery after all; aims for training camp return -- Jarvis Landry, the team’s leading receiver in 2019, decided to have surgery after all and now his status for fall camp is in question. Read about his situation here.

Robinson, found with 157 pounds of weed, facing 20 years in prison -- The Browns claim they had no plans of re-signing Robinson prior to his arrest.

Can’t miss story of the week: Mary Kay Cabot gives a Browns Take on why Baker Mayfield could face another challenging year ahead, considering both his top targets had offseason surgery.

Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals, December 29, 2019

Cleveland Browns wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. (L) and Jarvis Landry celebrate Beckham's touchdown catch in the second half, December 29, 2019, at Paul Brown Stadium. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)cleveland.com

The Orange and Brown Talk podcast

On this week’s Orange and Brown Talk podcast, Mary Kay Cabot, Dan Labbe and Ellis Williams took a closer look at the new coaching staff and what they think about the group as a whole. Alex Van Pelt talked about fixing Baker Mayfield’s footwork. The group discusses if he the right guy to get the best out of the Browns’ franchise quarterback.

What’s next

The Browns will spend the upcoming week in Indianapolis at the combine watching the best college football players go through both physical and mental tests. Stefanski and his staff likely have an eye on offensive line prospects, linebackers, safeties and other skill positions, considering the roster needs.

One position the Browns don’t need to focus on is running back, assuming Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry bring back Kareem Hunt. Ellis Williams wrote about why the Browns should do so.

All 32 teams will have an eye on Clemson standout hybrid linebacker Isaiah Simmons, who the Browns have a slight chance of selecting at No. 10. Williams wrote about how the Browns should attack the draft if they can land Simmons.


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