The Knock On Chop Robinson
April 4th, 2024
Penn State DE Chop Robinson.
If everything was even, the Joe would be all over Jared Verse of Florida State as an edge rusher. Dude is a beast.
Unless Verse gets caught using a bong mask right before the draft kicks off three weeks from tonight, Joe doesn’t know how Verse falls to the Bucs at No. 26.
One guy who may is Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson.
This guy spooks Joe. Look, Joe likes to see production from a first-round pick, not what the guy may or may not project out to be. If a player is good enough to be selected in the first round, shouldn’t he have production to demonstrate he can dominate? Robinson has 11.5 sacks in 30 games, going up against children.
C’mon, man.
This Robinson seems to be the kind of pass rusher for the pressures-are-more-important-than-sacks crowd. Robinson often gets past his blocker but doesn’t finish the job.
He’s sort of like Gerald McCoy, a disruptor. Those kind of pass rushers disrupt Joe’s hemorrhoids.
Here is how the Czar of the Playbook, Emory Hunt of CBS, broke down Robinson in his 2024 Football Gameplan Draft Guide:
Strengths:
– Explosive quickness off the ball that really gets him in the backfield in the blink of an eye. Tremendous 1st step quickness as a rusher. Still has upside left in his game.
– Shows good core strength, body control and bend to effectively run the hoop as a pass rusher, flatten and accelerate to the QB. Also uses a unique dip under move within the tackle box to help evade double teams.
– Is fast in all directions and it makes him a problem both vs. the pass and in stopping the run.Areas of Improvement:
– He’s sort of a one-dimensional player in terms of pure pass rushing. He has to develop much more in that aspect, as opposed to just winning with speed off the snap.
– Doesn’t particularly have the length to hold up at the point of attack and set a physical edge. So will have to be more of a pure rush end, with situational work as a hand in the dirt guy
The one thing Joe can say in this Robinson’s favor is he will escape James Franklin, maybe the most overrated coach in college football. Look at all the NFL talent that Penn State pumps out and what does Franklin do with that talent?
The best example is Micah Parsons. Sure, folks thought he’d be a good player in the NFL. Nobody expected him to be an All-World linebacker like he became. He never showed that at Penn State. Wonder why?
Penn State players seem to blow up when they get away from Franklin.
Of course, the lack of production from Robinson reminds Joe of another Penn State product who had little production but all sorts of hype, Odafe Oweh. Baltimore drafted the outside linebacker 31st overall, right before the Bucs grabbed Joe Tryon-Shoyinka at No. 32.
Oweh has been JTS’s mirror image in Baltimore (13 sacks in three years).
Chop Robinson (vs Iowa '23/Mich '22)
Robinson is a projected 1st Round pick as a result of his explosiveness and burst off the LOS. He put up 9.5 Sacks in '22 & '23 while being used in multiple ways in Manny Diaz's chaotic and disruptive scheme.#NFLDraft2024 #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/TDE0GLfA1g— All 22 Films (@All_22_NFL_Cuts) March 29, 2024
April 4th, 2024 at 3:56 am
But he has a cool name 🙂
April 4th, 2024 at 3:58 am
Agreed, Joe. The Bucs already have a guy that can’t finish in JTS, they don’t need another one.
On a side note: Robinson had 2 of his 4 sacks in 2023 against U Mass, who had a 3-9 record.
I wonder if people just want the Bucs to draft guys with cool names like Chop and Kool-Aid, and don’t care that they had below average production in college.
April 4th, 2024 at 3:59 am
Onetrickpony: I was typing that out before you posted “cool name”.
April 4th, 2024 at 4:05 am
Chop Robinson – 3 years – 30 games played
60 Tackles (43 solo) – 20 TFLs – 11.5 sacks – 0 Ints – 3 Passes Defensed – 2 Fumbles Recovered – 3 Forced Fumbles
Laiatu Latu – 2 years – 25 games played
85 tackles (51 solo) – 34 TFLs – 23.5 sacks – 2 Ints – 3 passes defensed – 1 Fumble recovered – 5 Forced Fumbles
April 4th, 2024 at 4:22 am
No no no no, I’ll be very upset if we draft this guy. Seems like a JTS clone. The Penn state linebacker you want to draft is the guy that wears 11. That’s the guy the whole team looks up to. That guy is a dog. This is coming from Lavar Arrington, who wore 11 at PSU.
April 4th, 2024 at 4:24 am
This is probably the weakest edge class I’ve seen in years. People can keep harping that the Bucs NEED to draft and edge rusher, but I stand by my opinion that reaching for a position of need is the quickest way to make your team worse. The talent HAS to match or exceed the value of the pick or you will regret the choice.
April 4th, 2024 at 4:27 am
Pickgrin: That’s probably why Latu won’t be there when the Bucs pick. For every Danielle Hunter (a guy without much production in college who is great in the NFL) there are a 1,000 Joe Tryons.
April 4th, 2024 at 6:07 am
Hard pass.
No production in college = No production in NFL.
April 4th, 2024 at 6:14 am
If he’s there you grab him but he probably won’t be.
April 4th, 2024 at 6:28 am
If JL liked Randy Gregory enough to sign him, Chop matches Gregory’s production perfectly. So Chop must be on JL’s radar…
Personally Joe, I think JL signed Gregory just to get you to shut up about JTS and the Bucs needing a pass rush so badly. Don’t get me wrong, I agree with you 100%. The sad part is, I don’t see the Bucs can pull off a trade for an established guy, not even a mediocre one. And unless JL makes a crazy draft trade, Verse is the only one in the draft I would want.
So, as Mr Koetter would say about the prospects of our 2024 pass rush, “our guys are our guys”. Sad to say…
April 4th, 2024 at 6:33 am
I prefer Issac — the other Penn State Edge. He’s the one with production and projected as a 2nd rd pick.
April 4th, 2024 at 6:34 am
No to Chop!
April 4th, 2024 at 6:36 am
Laiatu Latu and Jared Verse would be great choices. Unfortunately, they will be taken early. Agree, if Chop is still there, take him.
April 4th, 2024 at 6:50 am
Maybe the Bucs aren’t as bad off as many seem to feel they are. Our defense was on the field in 2023 for 1,081 def snaps. Assuming that we play 2 OLBs on every play, that’d be 2,162 def snaps for our OLBs on the season.
o Shaq: 652 snaps … 4.5 sacks-9 QB Hit-3 TFL-52 tackles
o JTS: 579 snaps … 5 sacks-7 QB Hit-7 TFL-45 tackles
o Diaby: 515 snaps … 7.5 sacks-8 QB Hit-12 TFL-38 tackles
o Nelson: 409 snaps … 3 sacks-6 QB Hit-7 TFL-40 tackles
o Gill: 62 snaps … 1 sack-1 QB Hit-0 TFL-12 tackles
o Watts: 45 snaps … 1 sack-1 QB Hit-1 TFL-4 tackles
In reality our OLBs were on the field for 2,262 def snaps (100 above what would be expected) and produced 22 sacks, 32 QB hits, 30 TFLs & 191 tackles. Shaq & Gill are no longer on the team. JTS, Diaby, Nelson & Watts are, plus we’ve added Gregory & Ramirez to our current roster with the draft still to come and FA not over.
I’d expect that in 2024 JTS will give us 5 sacks. Diaby will play considerably more IMO, and COULD give us 10 sacks. Nelson is good for 3 sacks, and Watts (with more playing time) could probably come up to around 3 sacks. That’s 21 sacks right there, roughly what our OLBs produced last year. Add to that whatever the last 2 OLBs contribute and the Bucs should exceed the 22 sacks our OLBs gave us last year. Life is good. It’d be even better IF our OLBs started kicking some QB a$$.
April 4th, 2024 at 6:53 am
Unless Latu drops due to medicals, I don’t think there will be a value edge at 26. The value at 26 is likely OL, C, WR. Unless Licht packages picks to move up, top edge guys won’t be an option. There are some players that we can take on day 2 and 3 where the risk could be more in line with reward. Mohammed Kamara was extremely productive at Colorado State and we should be able to draft him in the 3rd or 4th.
April 4th, 2024 at 7:03 am
Watching Chop’s and Adisa’s tape from last year Isaac looks like the better edge rusher and we could get him in the second round. Chris Braswell looks good too for a second round pick
April 4th, 2024 at 7:18 am
If it is a breathing DE with all his digits, sign him seeez
April 4th, 2024 at 7:23 am
@Bucs Guy
Agreed Adisa Isaac has the production and when you watch the film he beats chop to the quarterback time and time again
April 4th, 2024 at 8:04 am
Before you guys anoint Isaac as the sack king, he only had 14.5 sacks in 4 years. So about an average of 3.5 per year. That’s less than JTS numbers.
April 4th, 2024 at 8:09 am
His teammate Adisa Isaac is better. If we can snag him in round 2 I’d be over the moon.
April 4th, 2024 at 8:10 am
He sucks. Another JTS. Great athlete but not a production player. Pick Laiatu Latu. Kid is a freakin baller.
April 4th, 2024 at 8:18 am
I still remember Emory Hunt saying JTS was the best pass rusher in his draft that year LOLOL
April 4th, 2024 at 8:24 am
@WhatTheBuc – Thanks for the reminder about Latu. I keep forgetting about his neck fusion surgery. That is serious. I feel for the guy and football may not be in his long distance future.
@Defense Rules – Great data, as always.
April 4th, 2024 at 8:36 am
i don’t like his legs…his short erratic strides…not impressed…
maybe if licht and gang dig in they can find a gem later in the draft…3rd, 4th, 5th…
remember at usf when selvy was the star end and jpp was the lesser of the two ?…then they get to the nfl and jpp becomes a star, while selvy was just a fringe player for a couple seasons
April 4th, 2024 at 8:37 am
i’m sure he’s a cool guy with a cool name and all…but let him go be cool in another city 🙂
April 4th, 2024 at 8:42 am
Bucs certainly should have taken a more serious look at Leonard Floyd who had 10.5 sacks last year. 49ers certainly did and signed him at 20 mil for 2 years , but spread the money out over 5 years.
April 4th, 2024 at 8:45 am
do you realize our edge issue rn all comes down to jts not really developing…
if jts was a bonifide stud rn, with diaby and kancy…and nelson, gregory, gill and the youngsters in the room…
we would be just fine with the simple drafting of a decent edge, with one of our 3rds, to replace the loss or fading out of shaq…
but because jts never really reached his potential and the x-factor DW is gone…we are in deep doo at edge
April 4th, 2024 at 8:49 am
If you think Joe is satisfied that the Bucs signed this Gregory character, you are not reading Joe very often. That’s the pure definition of dumpster diving. What, Robert Ayers wasn’t available?
April 4th, 2024 at 8:50 am
One of several. smh
April 4th, 2024 at 8:51 am
Joe- i think you’re wrong in assuming a player in the bottom of the first round should give you that type of production. I’d expect it from a top 10 pick. Honestly beyond that, IMO first round picks are just as likely as second round picks to be successful. Even w the top 10 there’s the Devin Whites a Jameis Winston’s. All the physical ability in the world but can’t adapt to the mental aspect of the pro game.
April 4th, 2024 at 8:55 am
Looking back at the 2021 draft, that was an example of when a C would have been a better pick than DE where we drafted.
Landon Dickerson (C) – was the only pro bowler from that draft class picked between pick #24 and #52.
Then you have a Cleveland LB and then another (C) in Creed Humphrey that was a probowler.
There was also an OG picked #14 that year.
But in the end I will trust Licht on O-line picks and what round is worth what.
April 4th, 2024 at 9:06 am
You are only going to make the playoffs with the worst running game in the NFL a couple of times in your career as a GM if you are lucky. So JL had better move the needle on the rushing attack , because he already has his two.
April 4th, 2024 at 9:20 am
JTS 2.0
April 4th, 2024 at 9:21 am
This just contradicts everything. Parson’s had 6.5 Sacks in 26 games against Children. Agree production matters but you have to know to take a chance and when not to.
April 4th, 2024 at 9:25 am
@Joe in Michigan
Not anointing Isaac as the sack king, just stating facts that he had more production and was just as quick if not quicker than Chop his last year in college. Neither one of them have overwhelming amount of sacks. Doubt any edge rusher we draft is gonna rack up double digit sacks due to being a rookie learning curve. Hopefully we get one that does but there gonna have to adapt to nfl lineman which is far different than college boys
April 4th, 2024 at 9:28 am
Drop Robinson from our draft chart.
April 4th, 2024 at 9:32 am
I’d take 3-4 DE Darius Robinson over Chop @ #26….
Then make moves to get one of: Jalyx Hunt, Cedric Johnson or Myles Cole on Day3.
April 4th, 2024 at 9:41 am
R.O. Says:
April 4th, 2024 at 9:21 am
This just contradicts everything. Parson’s had 6.5 Sacks in 26 games against Children. Agree production matters but you have to know to take a chance and when not to.
^^^^^^^^^
Parsons was a MLB in college. Dallas moved him to Edge in the pros, so he has an excuse (he wasn’t used properly).
April 4th, 2024 at 10:09 am
Crazy how Penn State produces so many guys
April 4th, 2024 at 10:37 am
Licht knows he sucks, and won’t make another JTS mistake.
April 4th, 2024 at 10:41 am
Joes, your inability to properly moderate the comment section will be your downfall.
You have a good product, but it’s unsustainable when folks try to support you by commenting, yet can’t comment; and for no good, discernable reason.
Unprofessional & unappealing.
Not going to waste any more time.
Adios
^^mtnbucman^^
Since ’76
April 4th, 2024 at 10:45 am
Conner50 Says:
April 4th, 2024 at 9:25 am
@Joe in Michigan
Not anointing Isaac as the sack king, just stating facts that he had more production and was just as quick if not quicker than Chop his last year in college. Neither one of them have overwhelming amount of sacks. Doubt any edge rusher we draft is gonna rack up double digit sacks due to being a rookie learning curve. Hopefully we get one that does but there gonna have to adapt to nfl lineman which is far different than college boys
^^^^^^^^
I know, I was just joking. I’d rather the Bucs get Isaac later than Chop in the 1st.
April 4th, 2024 at 10:47 am
I think I’d rather have Jonah Elliss drafted by the Bucs than either one of the Penn State guys.
April 4th, 2024 at 10:48 am
If we manage to secure a trade partner, considering a slight trade down and selecting Darius Robinson could prove highly advantageous. Robinson’s physical attributes closely resemble those of Chris Jones of the Chiefs, making him an enticing prospect. Especially since Jackson Powers Johnson will be off the board
April 4th, 2024 at 10:48 am
Hopefully the Yucs only play losing teams this year. They don’t beat teams with winning records under TB. Just the drecks of the NFL. Pathetic to say the least.
April 4th, 2024 at 10:52 am
Off the top of my head, here’s a few guys with modest college sack stats
Micah Parsons (Penn St. Career Numbers):
* Height: 6-3 (190cm)
* Weight: 245lb (111kg)
* Games: 26
* Solo Tackles: 99
* Total Tackles: 191
* TFL (Tackles for Loss): 18
* Sacks: 6.5
* Forced Fumbles: 6
Clay Matthews (USC Career Numbers):
* Height: 6-3 (190cm)
* Weight: 255lb (115kg)
* Games: 47
* Solo Tackles: 57
* Total Tackles: 97
* TFL (Tackles for Loss): 13.5
* Sacks: 5.5
* Forced Fumbles: 4
April 4th, 2024 at 10:54 am
^^mtnbucman^^
What is likely (though may not be the root cause) of you comments always ending up in moderation is you are using stupid characters. That triggers the spam filter all the time.
There are literally dozens of reasons why Joe always has to dig your comments out of moderation — it is a significantly bigger pain in the ass for Joe than it is an inconvenience for you. But a big reason is weird character usage.
Again, your strange character usage is likely the reason your comments always go to moderation. It may not be THE cause but a pretty good educated guess.
There are many reasons your comments end up in moderation. Another popular reason is you either have been naughty in the past or your IP address is very similar to a naughty IP address.
*Trust* Joe, this is a much bigger pain in the @ss for Joe. Because guess who has to check and approve the spam comments 25-50 times a day? (Hint: Not you.)
April 4th, 2024 at 10:56 am
Cameron Jordan’s another guy who didn’t have great college sacks numbers
April 4th, 2024 at 11:01 am
@JimBob
#DropChop ?
April 4th, 2024 at 11:01 am
I can’t recall, but how many sacks did Danielle Hunter get at LSU? Not many, if I remember
April 4th, 2024 at 12:51 pm
The Bucs already have their 4-man rotation.
– JTS
– YaYa
– Nelson
– Gregory
Watts and Ramirez will be the two depth/special teams players on the practice squad.
If Verse or Latu fall to us at pick #26 then our GM should make the pick.
But as this roster currently stands the Bucs have other pressing needs to fill… Gregory got $2.5M guaranteed – he isn’t going anywhere and the Bucs won’t get squat for trading away JTS or Nelson.
WR, DB or IOL will be the pick. There is also an outside chance of picking one of the top two DTs if they are available at #26.
April 4th, 2024 at 1:13 pm
He might be great, but he seems like a project. Can’t afford to draft a project in the first round.
April 4th, 2024 at 2:09 pm
Darius Robinson should be the pick at 26
April 4th, 2024 at 2:26 pm
I mean…
Cameron Jordan had 16.5 Sacks in 4 years of CFB.
TJ Watt had 11.5 sacks in 2 years of CFB.
Micah Parson had 6.5 sacks in 2 years of CFB.
Haason Reddick had 17.5 sacks in 4 Years of CFB.
And also
Jadeveon Clowney had 24.5 sacks in 3 years.
Chase Young had 30 y 3 years.
Curtis Waver had 34 (!) sacks
Haoli Kikaha (Saints bust) had 35.5.
Javon Rolland Jones had 42.
I live you Joes. But look at the big picture. Stats in CFB simply don’t matter. RBs earn 6.5 YPC, average QBs throw for 5,000 yards.
Chop Robinson has the tools to be elite.
April 4th, 2024 at 3:05 pm
Not many of these edge rushers have produced a lot of sacks in college if we’re being honest and concerned. Braswell, Kneeland, Isaac, Robinson, Trice, even Verse all had less than 20 sacks their whole college careers. This years edge rush class isn’t the best but guys like Braswell, Trice, and Isaac have all the tools and athleticism to learn and compete in the nfl. If Verse is available at 26 he’s my favorite pick but he will be gone before then unfortunately.
April 4th, 2024 at 4:08 pm
Realizing how weak the draft would be, thank heavens we signed one of the top free agents, to improve our lame pass rush!!
Oh, wait . . . .
Our pass rush, LG and center sucked last year.
And they still suck now.
Quit patting yourself on the Back, Mr. Licht, and get to work!
Your overconfidence in the line cost Tom Brady his last year in the NFL.
Lets not F up again, shall we?