As an undrafted rookie, Lee Robinson realizes he needs to work harder than most to standout among his peers.
The Alcorn State product also understands that – despite being passed over in April’s 2009 NFL Draft — he has a fair opportunity to make the Broncos roster this season. Each year, undrafted college free agents latch on to rosters across the NFL and become success stories … In fact, exhibit A sits directly across from Robinson inside the Broncos’ locker room.
Last year at this time, Wesley Woodyard was walking around Dove Valley as an undrafted free agent, hoping to prove himself as a commodity for the Broncos after a stellar career at the University of Kentucky. Under the radar, the linebacker confidently stuck to his game through minicamps, organized team activities and training camp.
The rest, as they say, is history.
After making the club’s regular season roster, Woodyard made a name for himself on special teams over the Broncos’ first eight games of 2008 and ended up starting six games for the team at the end of last season.
Robinson hopes to emulate Woodyard’s success story.
“I look up to him because he came in, in the same situation as me,” Robinson said. “I’m just going to come in, like he did, and continue to put my head down and work.”
Like Woodyard, Robinson enjoyed a plethora of success at the collegiate level. At Alcorn State, Robinson put up gaudy numbers on a weekly basis — causing havoc for opposing offenses on numerous Saturday afternoons. In 43 collegiate games, he amassed 334 tackles – 193 of which were solo – and added 18.5 sacks. Lined up at outside linebacker, he also tallied three interceptions, recorded 11 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Mostly, Robinson – who possesses terrific athleticism and strength (particularly in his upper body) — was known at the collegiate level for his tackling ability. As a senior, he was clearly a ball-hawk — posting a team-high 111 tackles. He ranked fifth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in tackles per game at 9.3. Those totals earned him first-team all-conference honors and placed him in the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Game following his senior campaign.
It should be noted, however, that Robinson did not simply put up big numbers late into his college tenure.
From the moment he received consistent playing time at Alcorn State, he showed a knack for finding his way toward the ball. During his junior campaign he recorded 82 tackles, 14 of which were for a loss. As a sophomore, he recorded a career-high 7.5 sacks.
After playing outside linebacker in college, Robinson has been asked to transition to the inside position with the Broncos. This shouldn’t be a huge transition for Robinson, who has already proven to be a versatile athlete. While attending Amite Country High School in Liberty, Miss., he lettered in baseball, basketball, football and track. In fact, he won the state title in the long jump and triple jump as a senior.
So far it seems the former track standout is taking his transition to the NFL game in stride.
Like most rookies, he is leaning on his veteran counterparts for advice. Leaders within the Broncos’ linebacker corps, such as D.J. Williams and Andra Davis, have already played mentoring roles in Robinson’s young NFL career.
“A lot of the linebackers have actually helped me out a lot,” he said. “All of them pretty much look out for me … I just play my role and listen to what they tell me.”
Courted by other NFL suitors upon going undrafted, Robinson chose to come to Denver because he felt the fit was right. Time will tell the final outcome, but with training camp on the horizon, he is happy to be wearing orange and blue.
“Right now, this is just a blessed situation,” Robinson said. “I asked the lord to put me wherever he wanted me to be and I ended up here. I thought it was a pretty good situation and a great team, so I decided to come here.”
– Zach Eisendrath, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Lee Robinson, Wesley Woodyard
Hopefully he can have the same success that Woodyard did, if not he will probably be cut newt month.
That’s what we need. Some young guys to step up just as they have in the past. Before you know it we have a younger, faster, better team.
It’s going to be interesting during camp to see who stands out and who won’t make the team. A lot of talent trying out for the team. Only the strong survive and I’m excited to see how camp plays out.
i just want the new rosters to come out, so that’s why I wait for training camp.
madden ‘09 is ok, but i’m tired of manually managing the rosters.
why are you on here?
cuz i dont have a life
I’m a philly fan! duh.
I figured you didnt have a life when I noticed you were bashing on broncoaussie for proving you wrong about the eagles and broncos.
Anyway, who thinks we’re gonna win in philly in week 16?
We really don’t care for trolls on this site. I dislike trolls. When somebody comes onto a Broncos blog, just to talk trash, I feel that the only one who is retarded is the Philly fan who who is bashing just for the sake of being a jerk. Aussie is our online friend and you’re barking up the wrong tree. Nobody here will take you serious because you simply come on to talk smack but bring nothing to the plate. Kind of like the little monkey with the tin cup. You go through the motions but gain nothing out of it for yourself. Try talking football if you want to be taken serious or just continue to talk smack if you wish to continue to be taken for a verbal ride. Seeing as you don’t have a life, I suggest you find one. Maybe start by getting a girlfriend. Hopefully, she’ll be smart enough for the both of you.
Show him the way MM-15. He’s a troll.
Broncos win 27-21. Brian Dawkins is gonna lay-out Hank Baskett and its gonna cause an INT.
I like Lee Robinson. i think that he is gonna be like Denver’s own Bart Scott. in a couple years when Andra Davis is gone Lee Robinson will step in and make an impact. DJ will be like our Ray Lewis too. Either Doom, Ayers, Crowder or Moss will be our Terrell Suggs. our LB group is gonna be great. underrated for now but just wait. plus we have Chris Baker who will be able to develop as a premier NT behind Ronald Fields/J’Vonne Parker and Kenny Peterson and Darrell Reid/Ryan McBean/Rulon Davis/Everette Pedescleaux will be able to uphold their own. Our front 7 is gonna be underrated. our DBs are going to be great for years to come will Champ, Dawkins, Hill, and Goodman teaching the young guys.
DJ Williams very well could be better than ray lewis. ray lewis just has the second best defense in the league to back him up, DJ was injured during all of last year, and no one wants to talk about the western teams. the broncos and chargers are very well just as good as the NFC East teams. No one wants to notice the west, and the NFC is overrated.
…and, people talked about how the broncos had the 29th ranked defense, but no other team had an injured Champ Bailey, DJ Williams, other injuries, and have one of the best safeties in the league retire, ect.
Denvers D never played together as a complete unit (all the starters playing at one time) throughout the entire season. If they can get past the injury bug (offense too) then the Broncos will be a team to be reckened with. Bring on the pain, defense. Bring on the pain……..
I like watching the undrafted rookies because they always are working with a chip on their shoulder. They have just as much, if not more to prove than a drafted player. Which ultimately brings out the best in everyone. I mainly like watching them because I’m waiting for a “diamond in the rough” like Rod Smith to pop up again. If there’s anything that a rookie, drafted or especially undrafted, should know is a guy named Rod Smith.
Like Dave said, as long as the entire team (for the most part) can avoid the inevitable injury bug both sides of the ball for us will stun the NFL and our critics. As of now we’re probably put at the bottom of the AFC West because of some of the moves the front office made early in the offseason, however I hope and pray to God this TEAM makes all the critics eat their words… week after week after week!!! We win one game they’ll expect us to lose the next one… PROVE THEM WRONG!!! And with Dawkins as a natural born leader he’ll help straighten out our defense into something spectacular whereas on offense we still have plenty of talent on and off the field to carry us all the way. Without a shadow of a doubt in my mind, we will be successful this season!!
As for you phillyphan - if its trouble you want you came to the right place, not a group of people here you want to mess with. You have no point in being here, just jealous and aggrevated we got your Dawkins. Its very obvious you don’t have a life considering you spend most of your time on OUR website rather than your own team’s which does make sense in a way cause you must know the Broncos will have a fun day taking charge of the Eagles on their territory. If you want to be a Broncos fan just because Dawkins is here now, welcome to Broncos Country otherwise keep your crap to yourself and hightail yourself outta here!!!
With faith…
GO BRONCOS in ‘09!!!!
Is he an undersized linebacker or what? If he was a trackster he must have some wheels…
Philadelphia was simply God’s way of getting warmed up before he created deserts…..
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
Glad to see the training camp schedule. I’ll be back in Colorado and want to take my grandson to the Broncos practice on July 31. I have absolutely no idea how to get to the Dove Valley training camp. HHHHEEEELLLPPPPP!!!!!
oldsouthstander, just google it and it will pop up with a map. It’s on the corner of S. Potomac St. and Broncos Prkwy.
broncochick1- Lee Robinson sorta resembles your prototypical linebacker. he is 6′3″ 245lbs, very fast and athletic. proven agility and play making ability.
hopefully he proves himself from a Div. II star to a great NFL player. hey who knows, maybe he will become a Pro Bowler soon. with the chip on his shoulder (as a few of you guys have said) maybe that will give him the competitive edge to become a starter ASAP
DJ has all the makings to be a Ray Lewis, i agree Marshallman-15. he will be a bigger part to a defense than Ray but remember we still have Brian Dawkins to do the leading for now. i wouldnt doubt that after Dawkins decides to hang up the cleats that Williams could fill in his role, and the role left by Al Wilson at the heart of this Orange Crush!
Lee Robinson from Alcorn State….alma mater for the late Steve McNair.
Good write up Zach…let’s see if the kids’ got what it takes to make the squad!
Lee Robinson is a big guy and with speed. I think he will be this years Wes Woodyard. I think he has all the tools to be good.
I’m just glad we got him.
my favorites are Christina and Anjulie
Go Broncos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think Lee can make the team anyone can if they try with determination and focusing.
Dynamicdave: Thanks! Got it. I’m not sure who’ll be more thrilled, me or my grandson.
Well, it wasn’t easy,buit I finally decided on my alltime Bronco team:
Special Teams:
Kicker: Jason Elam over Jim Turner who was the leading points man on both the Jets and Broncos when he retired. Last of the straight on kickers.
Punter: Scarpitto You never knew when he’d say the hell with it and run. Not an easy pick.
Return: Rick Upchirch. End of discussion. Saw him run two kicks for 80+ yards for TDs in the same game.
OFFENSE:
QB: Elway of course, but Craig Morton gave us oldtimers an unforgetable memory in 77.
RB: TD and Little.
WR: Lionel Taylor who should be. but never will be, in the HOF and Rod Smith who may suuufer the same fate if the East coast bias keeps shafting Broncos who should be in it.
TE: Shannon. Another HOF shaft job that, hopefully, will be correct in 2010.
Tackle: Gary Zimmerman who should been in HOF on the first or second ballot like the six other players who were selected to two “Team of the Decade” and Mike Current. This was a real toughie as thetre were at least 3 others who were just as qualified.
Guard: Keith Bishop who would have been an All-Pro many times and a HOF if he’d played in a good team and Mark Schlereth. I picked Merk over Mike Current only because anyone who can have knee surgery on a Monday and start on Sunday deserves it as Mark did more than once.
Center: Tom Nalen who should be a HOF at some point in time.
DEFENSE:
Corner: Champ Bailey and Louis Wright. Louis never got the credit he deserved. He made the Orange Crush defense better by his total domination of his half of the field.
Safety: There are three who deserve the nod; Steve Atwater, Dennis Smith and Billy Thompson. Dennis and Billy get my nod.
DE: Lyle Alzado and Rich Jackson. Rich Jackson so dominated that the AFL wrote two rules specifically aimed at him. Anyone out there tell me what they are?
DT: Several coin flips here but I can up with Dave Costa and Trevor Pryce.
LB: Should have been 4 selection here. Randy Gradishar and Tiom Jackson are no brainers, number three is a toughie but I select Al Wilson.
Oldsouthstander: Rich Jackson was famous for the “head slap” on offensive lineman. That rule inception was aimed at him. Not sure of the other one.
I made my selections for the 50th Anniversary Team last weekend. Definitely some tough choices. The Orange Crush Team from ‘78 had some great players…. Alzado, Rizzo, Swenson, Thompson, Jackson, Howard, Odoms, Armstrong as well as some of the guys from the .’80s Teams plus our SB championship Team. When you look back, there have been some great players over the years.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Kicker - Jason Elam
Punter - Mike Horan
Return - Rick Upchurch
OFFENSE:
QB - John Elway
RB - Terrell Davis and Floyd Little
WR - Haven Moses and Rod Smith
TE - Shannon Sharpe
OT - Gary Zimmerman and Ken Lanier
OG- Keith Bishop and Paul Howard
C - Tom Nalen
DEFENSE:
CB - Champ Bailey and Louis Wright
S - Steve Atwater and Dennis Smith
LB - Randy Gradishar, Karl Mecklenburg & Al Wilson
DE - Simon Fletcher and Barney Chavous
DT - Rubin Carter and Trevor Pryce
Lee Robinson played at Alcorn State. Do you know who else did? Steve McNair!!! Therefore, the Braves have a great heritage of placing quality athletes in the NFL and I’m sure if Lee makes the team, he’ll do a remarkable job. One of my co-workers is a Broncos fan who doesn’t believe in this year’s team. Hopefully he’ll be apologizing and rejoicing with me as the Broncos defy the skeptics. GO BRONCOS!!!
@ BroncoBoy2012, technically, Alcorn State is I-AA, like my alma mater Southern Utah University.
royalbroncofan1:
Correct on the head slap. The other one was the heavy unpadded casts that he always wore. The rule prohibited such “clubs” and requires any cast to be padded . NFL network has a feature on Rich that they play once in a great while.
I gotta tell ya man. I luv undrafted rookies. They tend to work harder than most prima donas who feel they deserve stuff. They are more Hungry! Wesley was a force last year. Wish they let him start more games. The man showed heart, got in peoples faces and was tackling every and anyone. Hope Mr. Robinson is the same way. great build, great speed, great athleticism over all.
I get excited the more and more we come close to the season. We are not the same broncos/broncos players. Many don’t know what to expect. Heres my prayer that we shock the NFL. Like 07elway and Dave said, If we stay healthy we got this. I can see our new crop of rookies making immediate impact. Players our rivals will have to adjust to. The D is looking up. We shall either be impressive or a train wreck, I pray for the former.
ORANGE CRUSH ALL DAY!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!
Good to have guys like Robinson. I guess it makes the vets better themselves too, for the competition.
The Broncos may loose in Philly. Because maybe we’d have clinched the AFC West by then.
Go Broncooos!
Love the posts. DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS!!
Yes I am late as usual. 07Elway and DD are completely right, health will be a factor.
The ILB area is Mr. Robinsons neighborhood. Sounds nice huh!
My LB; Crowder/Reid Davis/Larsen Williams/Woodyard Ayers/Dumervil. Lee Robinson PS unless they keep 9.
BradJamesBroncoFan… sorry my bad. like NDSU and SDSU (south dakota)?
This is the type of guy we need… A BALL HAWK!! I think a guy like this can make a impact on Defense and/or Special Teams. Guys like Robinson who go to small schools tend to work a little bit harder bc they don’t get the recognition like players from the bigger schools. Just like Steve Mcnair, Walter Payton, and Jerry Rice to name a few.
royalbroncofan1, like you’re list.
I agree about the philly troll, he is just fallowing weapon x arround, and yea though I walk through the vally of death I will fear no evil for though art Dawkins
Cdudbronc24: Thx!
I’m really, really, really, REALLY pulling for Rulon Davis to make the team. I hope he can pull a Woodyard and make a big impact for our D. Can’t wait for all of this to get started!
GO BRONCOS!!!
I think this young man(Lee Robinson) could be yet another *UNDRAFTED” success…Wasnt it hot Rod Smith who was one of these successes, and what about Anderson who Ran like the wind, workk hard and climb those Stairs young man and when you start picking nfl QB’s we will start saying “UNDRAFTED” with great joy at our favorite sports bar too! plus youll make McD look like a frackin genius and that cant be a bad thing. And As far as injuries go I would like to reitterate that it all starts with the coaching staff (Football Shape) is a coaching duty and seemed to get a little bit laxed under Shannahan hence all the injuries on both sides of the ball…McD dont seem like hommie plays that $#!^
yes
Alot of people and teams will be underestimating us- The BRONCOS because of us losing the last 3 games to miss the play-offs and losing the division.We fired M.Shanahan,traded J.Cutler,and because B.Marshall is “DISGRUNTLED” but for one, B.Marshall will be and play hard this year for us(DENVER) because he knows that he doesn’t have many if any choice. He know that although J.Cutler is gone, the O-fense that’s being implemented by J.McDaniels that he (B.Marshall) will be in the roll of R.Moss of the Patriots and will get his opportunities regardless.He will put up huge numbers this year, He’s healthy and he’s playing and trying to prove he’s worth investing a big pay day by way of an extension or by trade after his contract is over if he truly doesn’t want to be in DENVER. Josh McDaniels is a very smart Coach. He really knows football,Offense and Defense. He does have a plan for us (BRONCOS) and he is putting it together the way he is suppose to. By drafting quality guys that plays hard and that LOVES the game of FOOTBALL.He is also grabbing guy’s from free agency that are proven veterans and that knows how to lead by example. B.Dawkins will be the vocal leader of the d-fense and he will make sure the guys on that side of the ball are doing what they are suppose to be doing and be where they are suppose to be. He will keep the d in CHECK. Teams don’t know what to expect from us but I believe whole heartedly that we are coming up and in a year or 2, we will be the team to beat in the A.F.C. because by then, J.McDaniels will have most of the pieces of the puzzle that he needs to run the schemes he wants to run on both sides of the ball. He will have the veterans, young guys and role players to win Championships and believe me when I say that we are going to be CHAMPIONS AGAIN very soon under JOSH McDaniels. For my fellow BRONCOMANIACS be happy what’s happened. I know it’s been a very eventful and shocking off season but it was for the better of the TEAM. We have team players now and J.McDaniels are bringing in people that are TEAM players not want to be pre-Maddonas or selfish players that only worry about themselves and thier stats.We are a better TEAM and we are only getting better. It takes time to BUILD a CHAMPION and JOSH McDaniels knows how to build one…. He’s doing it right know in DENVER !!!! IWILLX2 Mark my words my fellow BRONCOMANIACS CHAMPIONSHIPS are cminh to DENVER very soon so be patient and get ready because good times are ahead………. IWILLX@. Watch how many people come back or jump on our bandwagon when we start kicking every-ones butt. I’ve seen and heard so many so called BRONCOS fans leave us because of the things that has happened with us ( THE BRONCOS ) but watch how many come back when they realize that all that has happened was for the best and that now we are and will be a better TEAM….TEAM from now on. Peace my friends and enjoy the SUCCESS we have coming because believe me it is COMING and is COMING very soon. We are BACK to SUPERIORITY and we will RULE AFC west 1st,AFC 2nd,NFL 3rd…….The WORLD 4 ever !!
I believe we’ve had a very successful draft and i believe we got quality players that was undrafted that Will make the TEAM and will produce for us immediately. J.McDaniels knows what he doing and how to do it. Like I said he has a plan and he is implementing it as we speak. He will have this teams playing hard with EVERY player giving his all. He is making practices fast paced,up beat with game like intencity so our conditioning will be EXCELLENT when it’s time to play. We should be very healthy because of it and be very strong at the end of the season because we will be use to working, practicing,and playing HARD. I am telling you . We have a DIFFERENT BRONCOS TEAM now people and it’s better than it was before. Not knocking M.Shanahan because I truly loves him and all he’s done for us but he was becoming complacent and seem to me that he was afraid of change. That is exactly what we needed was some change, not much but I believe he should have let go of the coaches P.Bowlen was asking him to but he refused and that was what led to him being fired. P.Bowlen didn’t wan’t to fire mike but mike refused to let go of the coaches on the d-fensive side of the ball and he refused to relinquish his G.M duties so Mr.Bowlen had to let him go, I would have done the same thing.Enough of that. We have BRIGHT days ahead of us BRONCOMANIACS…. BRIGHT DAYS !!!!!!!!!! IWILLX2
IWILL, amen to that!!!