If there was one game Josh Robinson could have removed from his brain via some Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind procedure, it would surely be last year’s matchup against the Panthers.
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One play in particular must be at the very top of Robinson’s all-time nightmare memory list. This 79-yard TD from Cam Newton to Brandon LaFell.
On the play, Robinson appeared to release LaFell expecting cornerback Xavier Rhodes to pick him up. But Rhodes took a different receiver inside, leaving LaFell wide open.
That was certainly not Robinson’s only bad play last year – and we need to keep in mind that he was only partially responsible for the breakdown – but it was the one that became the most emblematic of his struggles at the slot corner position.
I’m sure if you asked Robinson he would say he has put that play out of his mind. But you know that deep down Robinson has to be reliving that play as he prepares to once again face the Panthers.
You know Robinson has to be itching for some payback against Cam Newton and Carolina.
This entire season has been one big redemption story for Josh Robinson. After a rocky beginning health-wise (and a short stint in Mike Zimmer’s doghouse), the once-maligned Robinson has been mostly solid for Minnesota playing outside corner.
Once looked upon as a draft bust, Robinson has begun vindicating Rick Spielman for drafting him and the coaching staff for sticking with him.
We know there was one huge hiccup against the Bears, a situation where Robinson was physically overmatched, but Josh showed his growth as a player by bouncing back the next week and re-establishing himself against Green Bay.
Robinson hasn’t let the occasional failures haunt him like he may have done in the past. Overall, Robinson has been much more of a plus than a negative for Minnesota. He has left behind all that draft bust talk and proven that he can be an effective player in the NFL.
Robinson will be looking for more than an effective game against Carolina. You know he wants to pick Cam Newton at least once. The sight of those Carolina uniforms will get Robinson’s blood pumping.
He will have thoughts of payback in his mind when the two teams take the field.