Saints Sideline Blog

SAINT PATRICK’S DAY

Sunday, August 7th, 2011      Email Print

DATELINE: METAIRIE, LA 8/7/11 (With Porter OUT....Robinson is ALL IN)

Last season the defending Super Bowl champs entered with high expectations as did its incoming first round pick.Unlike many in his secondary slot though, Patrick Robinson isn't loud and cocky as he is shy and unassuming. He was the team's somewhat surprising top pick a year ago where he immediately found himself Gregg Williams' up close and personal whipping boy in training camp-- for good reason. It took time for Patrick to get comfortable in the system. It took time for him to get used to the speed of the pro game and learn what it took to play at the next level. A year later it seems the learning curve hasn't been nearly as steep---these days Williams isn't yelling and the fans are cheering.The man they call PRob is no longer acting like a rookie where he has turned into quite the playmaker in this camp.

Robinson is glad that rookie season is history. How about this for a fresh start--- he changed his number from 34 to 21. He tells us its for no special or sentimental reason but you can only wonder if its to shed memories of a football season like no other in his young career. Due to injuries, Patrick did step up and have four starts where he tallied 26 solo tackles but he had zero interceptions and hardly any memorable moments. This camp Sean Payton has seen a different guy, " Its night and day from where he was a year ago with this system and he's getting better with his balance. He breaking on the ball really well and he's running really well."

St Patrick likes the sound of that where he told me after practice that the reason for his improved play is pretty simple, "I know what to do and I'm not trying to over-think things, I think that's the big difference." The Saints always knew he had the speed and athleticism to be an impact pro but mentally Patrick wasn't right a year ago. These days he's reacting and feeling worlds more confident which has impressed the Saints Defensive coordinator who favors his second impression of his second year corner. Williams had gone from chewing Robinson out to suggesting he cold replace the injured Tracy Porter in the starting lineup?? Porter hasn't practiced this camp due to a knee injury " You know what? Patrick is speeding up Tracy Porter's recovery process. Tracy Porter wants to get back out there in a hurry because he sees how good Patrick's doing and I mean that sincerely." WIlliams emphasized the word "sincerely" which is of course a motivational ploy aimed at Porter but also a sincere testament to Robinson's improved play.

The Saints have had major hits with their first round picks under Sean Payton. In recent years the likes of Malcolm Jenkins, Sedrick Ellis and Robert Meachem have become big time contributors--Patrick Robinson is ready to continue the tradition. He like many others who come into the NFL have gotten by with their athletic ability in high school and even college only to find the pro game is much different. So far Robinson looks to blowup the myth of a sophomore jinx and show in year two he can take a big step forward. The Saints secondary would be deeper and more dangerous for his efforts.

AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

COLSON CONCERNS? Marques Colston missed back to back workouts on Friday and Saturday but said it was the coaches decision to keep he and his injured knee on the sidelines. He told me after practice Saturday that he expects to be back Sunday and that if it was the regular season, there would be no doubt he would be playing.

ARRINGTON'S ANKLE: I asked WR Adrian Arrington after Friday's practice as he was limping off the field how he was feeling and he gave me a frustrated looking shrug of disbelief? The next day he was nowhere to be found on the practice field with what Payton called an ankle injury. Its the last thing he needs as Arrington is firmly on the bubble once again on making this football team.

KREUTZ SPEAKS: Brand new center Olin Kreutz opted not to meet the media after his first workout but talked on Saturday saying money wasn't the reason he's a Saint--winning and being around good players was the motivation. "Yes, Drew Brees is a top quarterback. The two guards (Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks) are probably the best guard combination in the NFL, if not the top two guards in the NFL. So, if you're a center, its a great job."

CHRIS CUT---Saints Safety Chris Reis looks a little lighter on the practice field these days and it has nothing to do with his body fat. The usually long locks were cut back in March for charity and are now making their way back to old form. It shows how long his hair was that it has taken this long to get it back and it may take another month to get back to the length Reis is used to.

BREES AND HIS BOYS: Drew Brees had a lot of fun with his boys (Baylen and Bowen) on the practice field following Saturday's workout. That should be a common fixture for years to come where its clear the older Baylen loves running around with his All-Pro Dad. I get the feeling young Bowen isn't far behind.

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT: So far the loudest cheers at camp have gone to Darren Sproles and for good reason. It seems every time he touches the ball he not only shows off his speed but makes an eye opening play. Already the smallest man on the roster has earned the biggest applause from the fans which totaled over 3,000 at Saturday's workout. The early returns on Sproles are good and the Who Dat Nation is eager to see the brand new saint make his preseason debut here on CST Friday versus the Niners.

UNTIL NEXT BLOG,
Mike Nabors
CST

By: Mike Nabors

An Emmy award winning sports reporter who covers a wide variety of events for CST. Primarily, Mike serves as the network's reporter for Saints coverage.

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