Laurent Robinson Signed – Finally the Jags Add a Wide Receiver!

I am freshly excited following the signing of Laurent Robinson by the Jags.  And not just because it is the climax to a veeeery long visit at the team facilities that had us all sitting with baited breath, constantly hitting refresh on NFL.com and Twitter.

Robinson, the receiver coming to the Jags from Dallas, has signed a five year deal with the Jags.  $14 million will be guaranteed with a high end of $35 million.

Even with Dallas expressing interest in resigning the wideout and the Cardinals and Chargers also expressing interest, Robinson decided that a long-term stay with Jacksonville would be most beneficial.  At 6’2″ 192 pounds, Robinson can look to immediately help Blaine Gabbert in his development by providing a more prototypical sized receiver to throw at.

Coming off a monster season in 2011 (monster being relative to his past seasons), Robinson has demonstrated that he can play with the best of them.  His production jumped form 10.1 yards per catch in 2010 with the Rams to 15.9 yards per catch in 2011.  In an offense where he was featured more, despite starting seven less games, he showed that he knows how to succeed against whatever defenses can throw at him.

I think that Robinson can fill the void at #2 receiver effectively for the Jaguars.  Provided there is a true #1 starting opposite him.  Robinson is not a #1 receiver, his size and skill set dictate a separate role for him.  He  will greatly benefit from having a more typically sized #1 to draw the focus of the defense.  In Dallas it didn’t matter so much because of the focus on throwing the ball and the multitude of talented receivers that were omnipresent on the field.

Robinson should be a good fit and I’m excited to see him suit up in the black and teal in 2012 and beyond.

I trust Gene Smith has done his homework and will be getting the best deal he can out of the young wide receiver.

– Luke N. Sims