(Photo Credit: twitter.com/STLouisRams)
On Thursday night, St. Louis Rams’ first round draft pick Greg Robinson spoke with members of the local media at Rams Park in Earth City via teleconference. The 6-5, 322 lb. offensive tackle from Auburn was selected second overall in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Q: So how does it feel to be a Ram?
ROBINSON: It feels great. First off, I’d really like to thank the Rams Nation for giving me a chance. Mr. Kroenke, Coach Fisher, Les Snead and just everybody in general. I’m just happy that they believed in me and they gave me this opportunity.
Q: You’re probably going to hear from Sam Bradford pretty soon, aren’t ya?
ROBINSON: Yes, sir. I look forward to blocking for him. Whatever it is I can do to help, I look forward to hearing from him and working for him.
Q: What was your thought when your name was mentioned as the second pick in the draft?
ROBINSON: It was unbelievable, just to share that with my family and those who gave me the opportunity and just to show my emotions. It’s a wonderful feeling.
Q: Did the Rams tell you or give you any idea where you’re going to line up in this first year?
ROBINSON: No sir, they haven’t. I’m just willing to step in and help out the best that I can.
Q: How do you feel about playing guard? I know you played some guard in high school.
ROBINSON: I did play guard in high school, but like I said, I’m looking to play anywhere that I can help out. I’m looking forward to it.
Q: When did you have an inkling that this might happen? Did you have an inkling that this might happen for a few days?
ROBINSON: Well, I got a phone call this morning and I kind of had a feeling, but it was just so unbelievable. I didn’t want to get any high expectations or get my hopes up and have something go wrong, so I just waited it out and it made things a lot better, just to get the pressure off me.
Q: Was the phone call from the Rams?
ROBINSON: Yes, sir. It wasn’t a specific coach. They were just confirming my (phone) number.
Q: That’s always a pretty good hint.
ROBINSON: Yes, sir.
Q: What does it mean to you to get the opportunity to play in the NFL?
ROBINSON: Well, it means a lot. Everybody (doesn’t) get this opportunity, and personally, I plan on making the best out of it and just live up to all the hype and whatever they have in store for me. I’m just looking forward to a great career.
Q: If anybody had asked you last year at this time and told you that your team (Auburn) would go to the National Championship and you would end up being the second player picked in the draft, what would you have said to them?
ROBINSON: Well, we worked hard for that season back at Auburn and we did accomplish a lot of things, but I didn’t exactly know where I’d end up at. I just knew that if I worked hard, I would put myself in a great position to be drafted high.
Q: What is your pass blocking like? Do you need to work on your pass blocking?
ROBINSON: Yes, sir. There are a few things that I do need to work on. I look forward to working on that. Taking it from the coaches and learning from other players.
Q: At the combine, I remember you saying how important it was for you to have a chance to provide for your family. What does it mean to you now to have the opportunity to be a step closer to being able to do that?
ROBINSON: Well, that’s just a great feeling and a blessing in itself. God has given me this opportunity to do these things. I plan on making my mom happy, even happier than she is now.
Q: Knowing that St. Louis might draft you, have you been studying up on the current roster or even the city of St. Louis? How much do you know about this team, this town?
ROBINSON: I don’t know much about it, but from my visit, it seems like a great place to be. I have a few former players that I played with at Auburn a part of the Rams also.
Q: So, we gotta ask you about the Mizzou game. How much fun was that for you, running blocking?
ROBINSON: That was really fun. Later in the year, the season just got better and better. But playing against Missouri, especially in the SEC Championship, they had a lot a of great players. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but we went into it. It was really fun.
Q: Well, you just don’t block people, you crush them. Is that the most fun in a game for you?
ROBINSON: The most important thing when I’m on the field is to just have fun. So if you say crushing people, then that’s a good way to explain it. To describe it.
Q: When people compare you possibly to Orlando Pace, your career potential, what does that say to you?
ROBINSON: Orlando Pace is a good player and just for them to say that about me, that’s a great accomplishment. Just to earn those rights that I can be compared to someone like him.
Q: So how do you celebrate tonight?
ROBINSON: Just spend time, as much time as I can, with my family before I have to head off to St. Louis.
So what do you think? Did the Rams spend its first-round draft pick wisely? Does it fulfill the needs of the organization? Is Robinson the type of player that can make an immediate impact? Feel free to leave your comments below.
By trade, he is a six-time, regional Emmy Award-winning news videographer/editor for KTVI/KPLR-TV. By hobby, he is a writer for Arch City Media, dating back to February 2014. Emphasis is on featuring and promoting local women's sports, but will cover anything that is not reported by traditional media outlets. Also a contributor to local concert reviews.
