(Atlanta) Burn, shine, repeat. We can thus define Bijan Robinson’s weekly routine. And it works, because the running back does more than excel. It meets expectations.
Robinson arrived on the Atlanta Falcons practice field alongside Tyler Allgeier, his gloves tucked into his shorts at waist level and his red helmet in his right hand.
He was cheerful. Maybe because the lawn was freshly mowed. No machinery was visible, but the smell did not lie.
PHOTO NICHOLAS RICHARD, THE PRESS
Preparing the playing surface at the Falcons practice complex in Flowery Branch
Two fields are available to the team on this 50-acre property located in Flowery Branch. It became the headquarters. At one end of the field, an artificial lake. On the other, a recently built and fitted out building, all in brick, with an ultra-modern interior.
In the locker room, at the end of practice, Robinson has his eyes glued to his cell phone. Perhaps to see what’s going on on his Instagram page with almost half a million subscribers.
Despite his 21 years, Robinson is impressive. By her thighs as wide as giant redwoods, but also by her charisma and her joie de vivre which seems frankly natural. His nickname on the team is “Smiley”. This explains it.
PHOTO AL GOLDIS, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bijan Robinson has 364 yards rushing in five games.
On the field, the ball carrier also has every reason to smile. The eighth pick of the last draft has been sparkling since his NFL debut. In five games, he has 364 rushing yards, good for ninth in the league, and two touchdowns.
After projecting the reasons for his success onto God, he immediately mentioned the importance of his teammates during his interview with The Press : “The coach always puts me in the best situations and the guys create a lot of space for me. They give me the chance to sneak in, they are clever. I used the time I had since training camp well to perfect my game and adapt. »
Especially because of his historic performances with the University of Texas Longhorns in the NCAA, expectations are almost excessive for him. Before he even played his first game, observers placed him in the same category as big names like Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley and Nick Chubb.
PHOTO KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bijan Robinson
It must be admitted that the native of Tucson, Arizona, meets expectations. He is on pace to have a season of over 1,200 yards rushing. But still, his ease on the field, his speed, his explosiveness and the way he adapted to the caliber of play make his arrival in the NFL almost phenomenal.
The reason for its success? “I don’t believe in pressure,” revealed the 5’11” player with the big hair.
“I only believe in what I can control,” he continues. I have a plan and I follow it. The pressure doesn’t weigh on me. I know though that there were expectations, plus the fact that I was new to this league and this team, but I don’t want to worry about it, because it’s just added stress . »
Talk about yourself
No matter the channel, if you’re showing NFL highlights, the chances of seeing Robinson there are very good. Almost as good as seeing a pedestrian walking with a Braves cap on their head in downtown Atlanta.
His most recent touchdown, made last week, went around the football world. He then caught a short pass from behind, with one hand, before carrying the ball on his fingertips while turning his pursuer’s kneecaps.
And even though he’s scored tons of touchdowns since he started playing football and will score dozens over the course of his career, that almost indescribable feeling of entering the end zone with the ball in hand is the main Robinson’s source of motivation.
PHOTO DALE ZANINE, USA TODAY SPORTS
Bijan Robinson
It’s fantastic ! We work so hard for every touchdown. We work on lots of things during the week. At the end of the day, everything we do is to end up in the end zone.
Bijan Robinson
In truth, each touchdown becomes the culmination of a series of events put in place to achieve precisely this end. And Robinson talks about it like a chef about his crème brûlée. Or a director about his show.
“Plus, doing it in a big stadium, in a big league, surrounded by the best athletes, it’s something. And to do it to win more matches, it’s the greatest gift. »
Transition and respect
Moreover, this ability to be so versatile will allow Robinson to stand out in the future. Draft a running back in the top 10 is a risk. But this bet seemed fully accepted by the leaders of the Falcons on the evening of the auction.
Few running backs are as adept at catching the ball as they are at carrying it, but that’s the case for the Falcons’ nugget. He has already caught 21 passes and only Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders is ahead of him in this regard.
In fact, the American’s identity and DNA have not changed since he left the university ranks. His impact on the field, his ability to make spectators jump and his contagious energy have remained the same. But from now on, he can no longer count on the unconditional support of actor Matthew McConaughey on the sidelines. This is undoubtedly the main difference.
PHOTO JOHN BAZEMORE, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Bijan Robinson shakes hands with a Falcons fan after a home win against the Green Bay Packers (7).
He was able to make a successful transition. And he commands the respect of other players around the league, even after just six games. “In any case, I hope so,” he notes when it is mentioned to him.
“I work hard every day to acquire and deserve this respect, whether from my teammates or my peers. But I feel comfortable on the pitch, and that’s what matters. But if I have the respect of guys across the league, that means I’m doing my job right. »
At the end of his answer, Robinson returned to sit at his locker, the second one to the right of the door leading to the field.
Outside, three employees were busy cutting the lawn. To take care of it for training the next day. Because nothing happens by chance. Neither for Bijan Robinson nor for the Falcons.