According to Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, one of his newest running backs in rookie Josh Robinson has been a “ball of energy” since being drafted and getting acclimated with the team:
"“Again, from ‘Day 1’ since he’s stepped in here, he’s a ball of energy and high motor guy,” said Pagano on Wednesday following OTA practice. “Quick study,” added Pagano. “Quick learner. Been very active. And he’s able to process, take things from the classroom, to the walk-through, to the field, and when you know what you’re doing, you know the direction you’re going, you know what your assignments are, you’re obviously able to play at a higher speed. Higher tempo, and I think that’s helping Josh at this point.”"
May 27, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Josh Robinson (34) goes through a footwork drill during OTA at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Of course, Robinson had the luxury of gaining additional reps in Wednesday’s practice, as Frank Gore sat out for rest purposes.
Drafted by the Colts in the 6th round of this year’s draft out of Mississippi State, Robinson has apparently become a quick student of the game, which should help him see the field sooner rather than later.
While Pagano has labeled Robinson a ‘ball of energy’, he’s more like a ‘bowling ball of energy’ if anything with his squatty, but powerful 5’8″, 217 pound low center of gravity build. The former Bulldog standout rushed for 1,203 rushing yards on 190 carries (6.3 ypc average) and 11 touchdowns last season and has drawn comparisons to a poor man’s Maurice Jones-Drew, formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With his powerful running style, he figures to at least push both Dan “Boom” Herron and Vick Ballard for carries immediately behind Gore in the Colts backfield. At this point, Herron appears to be the heavy favorite, but a running back like Robinson could surprise and seize some of the workload.
If nothing else, and partly because of Robinson, this year’s stable of running backs appears to have the Colts backfield in much better shape than the group that ended last season, where injuries (Ahmad Bradshaw, Vick Ballard) and ineffectiveness (Trent Richardson) ultimately hindered the ground game.
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