The Los Angeles Rams signed defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson last offseason in an effort to revamp their personnel up front.
However, Robinson’s arrival was delayed by a respiratory issue that landed him on the active/non-football injury list at the start of training camp. This designation went through the start of the 2020 campaign and he was never able to quite find his footing during his first year in L.A.
The Rams now have a notable void to fill along the defensive line after parting ways with Michael Brockers. Fortunately, an update from defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day indicates that Robinson may be more than up to the task.
Joseph-Day admits that while the absence of Brockers has not gone unnoticed, neither has the transformation Robinson underwent this offseason, per Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic:
Sebastian Joseph-Day says that DL A’Shawn Robinson has “transformed his body” – toned up, looks explosive – after missing the first 6 months of the Rams season, including offseason, last year. Robinson will need to take on a big role in 2021 sans Brockers.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) June 1, 2021
Robinson also discussed the changes to his workout and diet that have led to the transformation:
Rams DT A’Shawn Robinson completely overhauled his training regimen and diet through the offseason to go more vegetable/pescatarian and maintain a lighter playing weight. Says he feels fantastic and did it so he “won’t let teammates down” in a year in which role will increase.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) June 2, 2021
Robinson had noted the challenges in overcoming the respiratory issue that plagued him last year. Fortunately, the praise from Joseph-Day indicates that those days are well behind him.
Brockers had long served as a staple alongside defensive tackle Aaron Donald and played an integral role in helping the Rams finish the 2020 campaign as the No. 1-ranked defense. The onus will now fall on both Joseph-Day and Robinson now to fill the void left by his departure during the offseason.
Fortunately, the presence of Aaron Donald should help serve as a stabilizing factor for some of the new faces poised for an increased role. It should come as no surprise to see that he has emerged as a favorite to secure a fourth Defensive Player of the Year award, which has never been done in NFL history.
Robinson has clearly embraced the challenge of etching out a big role for himself. Aside from Joseph-Day, fellow Alabama alumnus and rookie defensive tackle Bobby Brown will also be among those competing to take over some of Brockers’ snaps.
