Gijon Robinson earned the horseshoe on his helmet Monday through Friday last year.
This fall, he’s hoping to wear it on Sundays as well.
Robinson, former all-state football star from Waynesville High School, reports to the Indianapolis Colts’ training camp at Terre Haute, Ind. tomorrow. His goal is simple…earn a spot on the team’s regular roster.
He was oh, so close to accomplishing that feat as a rookie last year, when the Colts were the defending Super Bowl champions. An undrafted rookie signee from NCAA Division II Missouri Western, Robinson spent the entire 2007 off-season in Colt camp and then made it to the final preseason cut down before finally being trimmed from the roster. The club quickly re-signed Robinson to its practice squad, where he stayed the entire season.
With a year of practice and training under his belt, Robinson is back with the Colts. And whereas he loved the experience he had with the club on the practice squad a year ago, he wants to be on the regular roster this year.
“My mindset is to go in there and do what I did last year, which is give everything I have on every snap and every down,” Robinson said. “It is totally different (this year). The pressure is still there. But now I know what I’ve got to do; the effort I have to give. It’s really good to have that year (on the practice squad). I know the coaches and the system. I feel more comfortable.”
Actually there is a good chance that Robinson may have actually made the roster of the defending Super Bowl champions a year ago had he not been slowed in the preseason.
He briefly missed practice time last August with the flu. And in the second preseason game of the season against the Chicago Bears Robinson suffered tendon and ligament damage in a thumb, forcing him out for about a month. As a result, Robinson was one of 22 players cut when the Colts were forced to get down to the NFL’s required 53 players. A day later, the Colts re-signed him to the practice squad.
Certainly the injury didn’t come at an opportune time…right when Robinson was trying to win a spot.
“He was in position last year (to earn a roster spot),” said Gijon’s father, Guy Robinson, of his son. “Then he tore the ligaments and tendons in his thumb tackling (the Bears’) Devin Hester. He would have won that spot last year. If he wasn’t going to make that spot, as an undrafted rookie, why is he still there? He is going to be there, with the experience he’s had and his determination. He can’t quit and he can’t lose; that’s always been his attitude.
“He’ll win a spot. He runs plays with the first team. He runs plays with (Colt All-Pro quarterback Peyton) Manning. And Manning only works with people who’s going to (be a part of the team).”
The fact that Tony Dungy decided to put off retirement and return as the Colts’ head coach – bringing back his entire assistant staff as well – also is a plus for Robinson. He doesn’t have to learn a new system and is comfortable with the coaches.
“I feel like (Colts’ tight end coach Ricky) Thomas is supporting me and I feel more comfortable,” Gijon Robinson said. “There are so many plays you have to rehearse and remember. The off-season takes care of itself. You do plays until it’s a habit.”
At 6-1, 255 pounds Robinson is small as far as tight ends go. However, he has just the frame that the Colts have succeeded with at the position. The team’s starting tight end, Dallas Clark (6-3, 250), caught 58 passes for 616 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
Role Player
Robinson’s goal is to be a backup to Clark, as well as serving as a key special teams player.
“My goal is to be a good role player on this team,” Robinson said. “And play hard. Dallas Clark is a great athlete. Seeing him do what he’s done…I’m probably one of the shortest tight ends in the league. And I can do it.
“Hopefully I will be a tight end on our team. I can be very efficient in what we’re doing. It’s up to me. It’s something I can see me doing, if I work hard.”
As far as training camp goes, Robinson is not concerned about the recent surgery underwent by the face of the franchise, Manning. Manning underwent minor surgery recently to remove an infected bursa sac in his left knee. He is expected to miss perhaps all of the preseason.
“I don’t know much about the situation,” Robinson said. “I know Peyton Manning is a great athlete. He’ll be more than ready (when the regular season starts). He always does what is above and beyond to prepare.”
As far as Guy Robinson it’s been a great ride watching his son progress with an NFL team. And he feels Gijon will make the next step this fall and be on the Colts’ sidelines suited up for regular-season games.
“It’s been pretty weird,” Guy said. “He was an undrafted free agent. To go up there and actually get a spot…it says a lot. That wasn’t supposed to happen.
“His determination and work ethic (will make the difference). He’s always working like a madman. I figured this would happen.”
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