Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

LaDainian Tomlinson helping Bijan Robinson elevate his game

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Alex Lord | Last updated 11/30/23

Coming out of Texas, Bijan Robinson was considered the best running back since Saquon Barkley came out of Penn State. He possessed a special blend of strength, balance, and elusiveness that prompted many to consider him the most talented prospect in the 2023 class.

Robinson’s ability to impact the game as a runner and receiver made his ceiling astronomical in today’s NFL, prompting many to compare him to LaDainian Tomlinson, who had a rare combination of speed and strength while also being able to contribute as a pass catcher.

Comparisons are never one-to-one, but Robinson and Tomlinson’s running styles are pretty similar, and ironically, it’s the Hall of Famer who is helping the rookie elevate his game.

Bijan Robinson told members of the media that he was put into contact with LaDainian Tomlinson, who suggested to him that preparing like a quarterback could benefit his game.

#Falcons RB Bijan Robinson said he’s trying to think and prepare more like a quarterback to have a full grasp of what everyone is doing on offense.

The idea to do so was suggested to him by a conversation with Ladanian Tomlinson when the two spoke a few weeks ago.

— Joe Patrick (@japatrick200) November 29, 2023

This isn’t anything new. The best pass catchers, offensive linemen, and even defenders understand the game at the highest levels, similar to a quarterback, who is tasked with knowing what all 22 guys’ responsibilities are on any given play, or at least they’re supposed to.

The greatest players not only understood their assignment but understood the assignment of the guy next to them and across from them. Think about the most cerebral guys in the game — Ed Reed, Luke Kuechly, Davante Adams, Travis Kelce, and a ton of great centers in general. They all possessed elite physical skills but were elevated to new heights because of their ability to grasp the mental side of the game.

Bijan Robinson’s game is already somewhere special because of his impressive physical skill set, but if he fully grasps how defenses want to attack him and what his quarterback sees, he can become generational.

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

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