Bijan Robinson, the former Texas Longhorn, has enjoyed a terrific few months. And he made sure that his new Falcons teammates, the ones charged with blocking him. were included in the spotlight.
Let’s drift back to late April, to the night of the NFL Draft in Kansas City. Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot called Robinson, the top back in the draft, letting him know he was coming to Atlanta with the eighth pick of the first round. Fontenot told Robinson some more important details, like times of flights to get him to Falcons headquarters.
Then Bijan Robinson wanted to know some more key deets, like the phone numbers of his offensive linemen. It’s never too early to start thanking them for the blocks they’ll make in the fall.
Around Austin, fans and friends already knew Robinson for his broad, disarming smile. Somehow, he also conveyed this warmth in an ordinary text message to people he had yet to meet. Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom recalled the messages during an interview last month at Atlanta mini camp.
“Here’s a cool thing, he texted the offensive line when he got drafted,” Lindstrom said of Bijan Robinson. “He said that he’s really happy to work with us. I’ve only known him for a little while, but he has been pretty amazing around the building. I think all that speaks to who Bijan is and everything he’s about.”
There were more compliments from Lindstrom to Robinson.
“He’s amazing,” Lindstrom said. “You don’t pay much attention when you’re on the field because you’re doing your job but, when you step back and watch, you can see how good he is. He’s great.”
Take a look at these sharp cuts from Bijan Robinson
Speaking of amazing, some Bijan Robinson video was making the rounds on social media this week. The tailback was going through some benign footwork drills. However, the cuts Robinson showed off in the video are so sharp and distinct they can make you bleed just by watching. (We kid.)
Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett has witnessed these moves, albeit from the other side of the ball. He said they set the young back apart from others who play the position.
“I think just the movement skills,” Jarrett said. “When you’ve been in the league going on nine years now you know with certain guys just look different.”
Jarrett added: “Certain dudes, you can just see the way they move. That it’s special the way you carry yourself. He’s going to be a heck of a player. He’s put so much tape out already through his college career but I am sure they are going to have a great plan for him. I don’t see him missing a beat. The better he does, the better for the team.”
Robinson and the rest of the Falcons rookies report to training camp in four days. (July 18). He signed his first contract weeks ago. This year, he’ll earn $13.192 million, making him the highest paid running back in the league. He’ll wear No. 7, Michael Vick‘s old jersey number. Robinson made sure that was OK with the old quarterback.
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