Vikings DE Brian Robison has come a long way from the days he felt passed over in the the NFL Draft (fourth round, 2007) to a starting job last season on the defensive line.
Robison had eight sacks playing opposite last season’s sack master Jared Allen (22), contributing to a unit that tied with the Eagles for most in the NFL with 50.
“I would like to get double-digit sacks, but goals for me are always penciled in,” Robison said. “It’s nothing that I am going to concentrate on. It’s nothing that I am going to be disappointed if I don’t reach. It’s always about going in and making sure the offenses have to game-plan around me. If they have to do that, then I know I am doing my job.”
Many in the Vikings organization think Robison has a chance. His coaches believe he's a hard worker and have seen him develop. Last season the coaching staff let former DE Ray Edwards leave via free agency because they saw Robison coming on. And coach Leslie Frazier thinks double-digit sacks for Robison is possible.
“I think he’s capable,” Frazier said. “He’s shown in flashes that he can do it. He’s gotten off to some great starts. He’s put together some sequences where you look at it and say this guy has a chance to be a double-digit guy. He’s playing with a guy (Allen) that allows him to get more one-on-ones than he would get some other places, so I would not be surprised if he ended up being a double-digit guy, at all.”
Surely playing opposite Allen is a benefit, as the 2011 NFL sack leader attracts plenty of attention. But it works both ways -- if Robison’s production increases, opposing offensive lines will have to pay more attention to him. And Robison’s line mate Allen knows that.
“Brian is having a good camp. I think his progression as a starting pro has been phenomenal,” Allen said. “I expect great things. He’s very talented. He’s a double-digit sack guy. I think he is a 10-plus sack guy every year. If you get that kind of production on both sides, who are they going to block? They’ve got to choose who to block.”
Robison might have to prove himself before he gets the respect of an Allen or All Pro DT Kevin Williams, who both sat out the first preseason game Friday because of their age and track record -- the coaches know what they have in them.
Robison's personal goals may be penciled in, but his team goals are not.
“I think camp is going well,” said Robison. “We are getting better every day. We are just trying to keep that cohesiveness that we’ve had these first couple weeks and just keep moving forward and hopefully be one of the best D-lines in football.”
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