Yardbarker

Sam Robinson

Writer

Sam Robinson is a sportswriter from Kansas City, Missouri. He primarily covers the NFL for Yardbarker. Moving from wildly injury-prone sprinter in the aughts to reporter in the 2010s, Sam set up camp in three time zones covering everything from high school water polo to Division II national championship games. He has since settled in as the husband of a track and field coach, concentrating on the NFL. Boasting an unhealthy interest in the league’s history and fashion trends, Sam is the lead writer for Pro Football Rumors and has written about the sport for Yardbarker since 2018. In addition to working as a writer/editor for a few newspapers – the Cleveland Plain Dealer and St. Joseph (Missouri) News-Press, to name two – in a former life that included some awkward awards-show hosting gigs thankfully inaccessible online, Sam has written about the Olympics for The Athletic.

EXPERTISE:

NFL, track and field, boxing

NFL injury replacements who went on to became superstars

Several NFL standouts' paths toward awards, Pro Bowls or the Hall of Fame began with another player's injury opening the door. Here are 25 memorable injury replacements whose careers turned out quite well after they capitalized on opportunities. 

NFL Week 10 grades from around the league

DeAndre Hopkins making one of this century's signature catches was easily Sunday's top NFL storyline, but the AFC's depth and the Seahawks' sudden issues also emerged as key Week 10 plot points.

The most awful NFL coaching jobs of all time

As franchises prepare wish lists for their next hires, numerous cautionary tales exist. Here are 25 of the worst head-coaching tenures since the 1970 merger.

NFL Week 9 grades from around the league

The Saints' masterful performance in Tampa headlined Week 9's Sunday slate, which also featured a quality QB battle in Arizona and the Steelers remaining unbeaten.

25 NFL head coaches in waiting

The NFL has two head-coaching vacancies and will likely have a handful more by season's end. Here are 25 coaches who will be either in the running to become first-time NFL head coaches next year or surface on the league's radar in the years to follow.

NFL players who miraculously returned to the field after devastating injuries

Featuring by far the highest number of significant injuries of the major American sports, the NFL has seen many players display resiliency by returning from severe setbacks.

NFL Week 8 grades from around the league

Some big running back performances (and wind) helped define Week 8, which also featured the AFC North declare a midseason champion and AFC East move closer to a changing of the guard.

NFL Week 7 grades from around the league

More Seahawks primetime drama and more statements from the Steelers and Buccaneers headlined Week 7's Sunday slate. With the trade deadline looming, the non-contender contingent also has decisions ahead.

NFL Week 6 grades from around the league

Although Tom Brady-Aaron Rodgers III did not live up to expectations, Week 6 continued to reveal how AFC and NFC contenders stack up. Here is a look at all 32 teams entering the week's Monday doubleheader, along with grades for all the teams that played in Sunday's games.

NFL Week 5 grades from around the league

Unfortunately, Week 5 brought more major injuries. It also included a rare early-October GM firing. Here are some odds and ends, and grades, for every NFL team exiting the NFL's fifth Sunday -- along with a look at the bevy of teams that did not play Sunday.

The best NFL rookies through four weeks

This NFL offseason brought a particularly difficult environment for rookies, who could not begin onsite work until training camp. But teams are starting to see some investments pay off, and several first-year players will be key figures for contending teams.

NFL Week 4 grades from around the league

Albeit with two fewer games, the NFL's Week 4 Sunday unfolded and supplied a fair amount of surprises and statements. Here are odds and ends along with grades for each team from the fourth week of the season.

NFL Week 3 grades from around the league

Featuring multiple high-octane quarterback duels, Week 3 was lower on injuries and higher on late-game swings. Here are some odds and ends along with grades for each team from the third week of the season.

Assessing the fallout from the injuries in Week 2 of the NFL season

Week 2 brought rarely seen injury volume in the NFL, with numerous teams seeing key starters suffer serious setbacks. Here are the most significant injuries from the season's second week and where teams stand in the aftermath.

NFL Week 2 grades from around the league

Injuries overshadowed much of the NFL's Week 2 action, but key developments — particularly on the quarterback front — transpired as well. Here are some odds and ends along with grades for each team from the second week of the season.

NFL Week 1 grades from around the league

With Week 1 moving into its Monday doubleheader, here are some odds and ends along with grades for each team from the first week of the NFL's 101st season.

The next likely jersey retirement for every NFL team

The NFL's 32 franchises treat jersey retirements differently. With that in mind, here are 32 predictions (well, 29) on who these respective teams will choose to honor next.

Who is the best backup QB in the NFL?

Nearly two-thirds of the NFL's franchises will go into Week 1 with a different backup QB than they had last season. Here is how the reserve signal-callers stack up going into the season. 

Which NFL teams have allowed the fewest points in the 16-game era?

Many Super Bowl celebrations have occurred after the assembly of a dominant defense. Even when elite defenses did not produce a title, they have often defined an era for a franchise.

Predicting the division and award winners for the 2020 NFL season

The NFL has thus far navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and is less than a week away from Week 1. With that in mind, here are some obviously spot-on predictions for how the league's 101st season will unfold.

The best and worst outcomes for every NFL team in 2020

Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous subplots and turning points will shape the 2020 NFL season. Here are the ceilings, floors and record predictions for each team ahead of what will be the strangest season in the league's modern history. 

The longest tenured player on every NFL team

Several changing-of-the-guard transactions changed NFL rosters this offseason. While the Chargers, Giants and Patriots saw iconic quarterbacks depart, other teams have new longest-tenured players as well.

The most logical trade chip for every NFL team

The bulk of the NFL will begin padded practices this week, and more teams will determine their respective strengths and weaknesses ahead of the regular season.

Ranking the defensive play-callers for every NFL team

As many as 10 teams may enter Week 1 with a new defensive play-caller, and the new leaders are days away from working in their new roles in full practice sessions.