Robinson Looking To Build

ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF

MISSISSAUGA – It took a while, but James Robinson seemed to have finally hit his stride with the Double Blue in the second half of last season.  Now, the fourth-year receiver is trying to build off his successes in what could be his most crucial season yet.

Robinson originally joined the Argos midway through the 2007 campaign after excelling in Arena Football 2 under offensive coordinator and former Argonauts quarterback Rickey Foggie.  Since then, the 6-foot-3 pass-catcher has been on and off the Argos’ active roster, practice roster and had two brief stints in the NFL along the way.

He hasn’t lacked opportunity, but has lacked rhythm which is something that he’s looking forward to having as he enters what he hopes to be his first full year as a starter out of training camp.

“It is very important to get into something and do it start to finish,” he said.  “It’s not about me [and my personal goals], it’s about my team and how I can help them to win a Grey Cup.  I have my own set of goals that I want to accomplish but you got to be able to put that aside and focus on your team.”

Robinson is coming off a year that saw him on the practice roster until Week 9 when he finally cracked the lineup.  After a solid 2010 debut, Robinson had his second best performance of his career the next week, making three catches for 97 yards and two touchdowns in B.C.  He finished the season as a regular starter at the wideout position before knee tendinitis sidelined him for the playoffs. 

The 28-year-old has shown flashes of being an everyday receiver but has yet to put together an entire season where he can be relied upon game in and game out as a starter.  He is hoping that the success he had last season can help propel him to the next level in 2011.

“I had a bit of an up and down year, last year, but I want to build off of that and just go,” Robinson said.

The Ft. Lauderdale native is well aware that this is somewhat of a make-or-break year and that he needs to show the coaching staff that he is capable of being both a deep threat and a possession receiver. 

“I have been here three years, heading into my fourth, and I think it is time for me to be that elite receiver and be that big-time player that can help out [Jeremaine Copeland], Chad [Owens] or P.K. [Sam] or whomever happens to be on the field. I want to be that guy to help our quarterbacks when they need that big third down play.”

Argos GM and head coach Jim Barker was a little more blunt when asked whether or not this is Robinson’s most crucial season.

“He’s got to step up and show that he is the best guy and then make plays.  He has to be in the right place and run the right routes,” stated Barker. “He is not a rookie, he is not a second year guy in this league, he is a veteran in this league.  If he makes mistakes then he is not going to be with our football team.”

Robinson, however, believes that if he is going to be successful anywhere, it is in Toronto.  The Butler County Community College grad noticed a change in his game last season and credits both his teammates and coaches for it.  He says that he has seen his growth carry over into the early part of training camp and that the input can only help him get better.

“The guys embraced me and the coaching staff did, too,” Robinson said about trying to crack the starting roster.  “I had nine weeks last season to work with coach Cos and coach Elizondo [before dressing] and they broke down what they really wanted from me and the things I needed to do to be successful.”

The challenges he faced last year trying to move up from the practice roster pale in comparison to the competition that Robinson is facing at the import receiver spot at training camp. It all makes the next two weeks even more important to the receiver’s future.

The Argonauts will play two pre-season game between now and the conclusion of training camp, beginning with a tilt against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats this Saturday, June 18 at Rogers Centre, kickoff at 1:00 p.m.  Some may peg the games as ‘just exhibition contests’ but for Robinson, they may be the two biggest of his season.