Laurent Robinson
Encyclopedia
Laurent Robinson is an American football
wide receiver
who is currently a member of the Dallas Cowboys
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons
in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Illinois State.
He has also been a member of the St. Louis Rams
, and San Diego Chargers
,
in Rockledge, Florida
. As a junior he became a regular starter with the football
team, recording six catches for 70 yards and one touchdown
. Durign his senior season he caught 55 passes for 903 yards and 11 touchdown
s, making honorable mention All-State as well as All-Conference, while helping his team win back-to-back Class 3A Florida State championships in 2001 and 2002, with identical 14-1 records. Robinson was a four-year member of the football
, basketball
and track
teams.
His only scholarship offer came from Illinois State University
, after his stepfather contacted the Redbirds' coaching staff, who had recruited Robinson's brother the previous year, and convinced them to evaluate him.
, Robinson accumulated 192 career receptions (a school record) while contributing with 3,007 yards (a school record) and 29 touchdown
s. In 2004 he caught 47 balls for 564 yards and a 12.0 yard average and 7 touchdown
s. As a junior in 2005, he was named the league's Offensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-America
after collecting 86 receptions for 1465 yards and a 17.0 yard average for 12 touchdown
s. He was also a finalist for the Walter Payton Award
, given to the top offensive player in Division I-AA. In 2006 he was limited to 40 catches for 718 yards with seven touchdown
s because of an ankle injury that caused him to miss four games.
In 2009 he was voted to the Missouri Valley Football Conference quarter-century team.
(* represents NFL Combine
)
, he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons
in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft
. As a rookie he played in 15 games (six starts) and recorded 37 receptions for 437 yards (11.8 avg.) and one touchdown
.
In 2008 season
, Robinson slipped on the Falcons' depth chart because of the emergence of rookie Harry Douglas
and the return of Brian Finneran
from a two-year absence because of knee injuries. That season he played in only six games because of head and hamstring injuries, making 5 receptions for 52 yards.
. The Falcons gave the Rams, Robinson, its fifth round (160th overall) and sixth round (196th overall) draft choices to the Rams for its fifth round (138th overall) and sixth round (176th overall) selections. With the trade, the Rams dropped 22 spots in the fifth round and 20 spots in the sixth round.
Robinson was a starter until he fractured his fibula on September 28, 2009
and was placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. At the time, he was leading the team in receptions with 13 for 167 yards.
In 2010
he had another dissapointing season, finishing fifth on the team with 34 receptions for 344 yards and 2 touchdown
s. The Rams released him in the off-season.
on August 3, 2011
. He had a disappointing preseason in which he had only 1 catch for 18 yards through the first three preseason games. Despite an impressive final preseason game in which he caught six passes for 120 yards, he was released at the end of training camp on September 3, 2011
.
in September 2011
. On September 7, he was signed by the Cowboys, only to be released on September 13, after having a hamstring injury during his first practice. On September 20, he was re-signed to the roster to shore up the Cowboys' injury-depleted wide receiver
position.
On October 2, as the team's third receiver Robinson caught seven passes for 116 yards in a loss to the Detroit Lions
. During the week eight loss against the Philadelphia Eagles
, he had five catches for 103 yards and a touchdown
, his first as a Cowboy. In the next game on November 6, Robinson again caught five passes 32 yards and a touchdown
. Robinson followed up that game with three catches, two of which were touchdown
s, against the Buffalo Bills
starting in place of Miles Austin
, while he was recovering from a hamstring injury. From week 8 through week 12, Laurent caught 24 passes for a total of 321 yards and 7 touchdowns.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
who is currently a member of the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Illinois State.
He has also been a member of the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
, and San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
,
Early years
Robinson attended Rockledge High SchoolRockledge High School
Rockledge High School is located in Rockledge, Florida and is part of the Brevard Public Schools District.-Sports:In 2009, the estimated income to fund sports at the school was $144,502. That amounted to $312 per athlete.-Alumni:...
in Rockledge, Florida
Rockledge, Florida
Rockledge is the oldest city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 20,170 at the 2000 census. As of 2008, the estimated population according to the U.S. Census Bureau is 24,747. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical...
. As a junior he became a regular starter with the football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team, recording six catches for 70 yards and one touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
. Durign his senior season he caught 55 passes for 903 yards and 11 touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s, making honorable mention All-State as well as All-Conference, while helping his team win back-to-back Class 3A Florida State championships in 2001 and 2002, with identical 14-1 records. Robinson was a four-year member of the football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
and track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
teams.
His only scholarship offer came from Illinois State University
Illinois State University
Illinois State University , founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois; it is located in the town of Normal. ISU is considered a "national university" that grants a variety of doctoral degrees and strongly emphasizes research; it is also recognized as one of the top ten largest...
, after his stepfather contacted the Redbirds' coaching staff, who had recruited Robinson's brother the previous year, and convinced them to evaluate him.
College career
While at Illinois State UniversityIllinois State University
Illinois State University , founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois; it is located in the town of Normal. ISU is considered a "national university" that grants a variety of doctoral degrees and strongly emphasizes research; it is also recognized as one of the top ten largest...
, Robinson accumulated 192 career receptions (a school record) while contributing with 3,007 yards (a school record) and 29 touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s. In 2004 he caught 47 balls for 564 yards and a 12.0 yard average and 7 touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s. As a junior in 2005, he was named the league's Offensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
after collecting 86 receptions for 1465 yards and a 17.0 yard average for 12 touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s. He was also a finalist for the Walter Payton Award
Walter Payton Award
The Walter Payton Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding offensive player in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision of college football as chosen by a nationwide panel of media and college sports information directors...
, given to the top offensive player in Division I-AA. In 2006 he was limited to 40 catches for 718 yards with seven touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s because of an ankle injury that caused him to miss four games.
In 2009 he was voted to the Missouri Valley Football Conference quarter-century team.
NFL Combine
| Pre-draft measureables | ||||||||||
| Ht | Wt | 40-yard dash 40 yard dash The 40-yard dash is a sprint covering . It is primarily run to evaluate the speed of American football players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting. A player's recorded time in the 40 can have a heavy impact on his prospects in college or professional football... |
10-yd split | 20-yd split | 20 ss 20 yard shuttle The 20-yard shuttle, also simply called the short shuttle, is a test performed by American football athletes at the NFL combine. It is primarily run to evaluate the quickness and change-of-direction ability of players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting... |
3-cone 3 cone drill The 3 cone drill, or three cone drill, is a test performed by American football athletes at the NFL combine. It is primarily run to evaluate the agility, quickness and fluidity of movement of players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting... |
Vert Vertical jump A vertical jump or vertical leap is the act of raising one's center of gravity higher in the vertical plane solely with the use of one's own muscles; it is a measure of how high an individual or athlete can elevate off the ground from a standstill.-Types of vertical jump:The vertical jump is... |
Broad | BP Bench press The bench press is an exercise of the upper body. For bodybuilding purposes, it is used to stimulate the pectorals, deltoids, and triceps. While on his or her back, the person performing the bench press lowers a weight to the level of the chest, then pushes it back up until the arm is straight... |
Wonderlic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-2 * | 199 lb * | 4.38 * | 1.46 * | 2.50 * | 4.28 * | 6.83 * | 39 in. * | 10'07" ** | 19 * | X |
NFL Combine
The National Invitational Camp or NFL Scouting Combine, as it is more widely known, is a week-long showcase, occurring every February in Indianapolis, Indiana's Lucas Oil Stadium , where college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of National Football League coaches, general...
)
Atlanta Falcons
After running the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds at the NFL CombineNFL Combine
The National Invitational Camp or NFL Scouting Combine, as it is more widely known, is a week-long showcase, occurring every February in Indianapolis, Indiana's Lucas Oil Stadium , where college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of National Football League coaches, general...
, he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
. As a rookie he played in 15 games (six starts) and recorded 37 receptions for 437 yards (11.8 avg.) and one touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
.
In 2008 season
2008 NFL season
The 2008 NFL season was the 89th regular season of the National Football League, themed with the slogan "Believe in Now."Super Bowl XLIII, the league's championship game, was at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on February 1, 2009, with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming out victorious over the...
, Robinson slipped on the Falcons' depth chart because of the emergence of rookie Harry Douglas
Harry Douglas
Harry Douglas, IV is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville....
and the return of Brian Finneran
Brian Finneran
Brian Finneran is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1998...
from a two-year absence because of knee injuries. That season he played in only six games because of head and hamstring injuries, making 5 receptions for 52 yards.
St. Louis Rams
On April 8, 2009, he was traded to the Saint Louis Rams. The deal involved each team swapping their 5th and 6th round picks in the 2009 NFL Draft2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
. The Falcons gave the Rams, Robinson, its fifth round (160th overall) and sixth round (196th overall) draft choices to the Rams for its fifth round (138th overall) and sixth round (176th overall) selections. With the trade, the Rams dropped 22 spots in the fifth round and 20 spots in the sixth round.
Robinson was a starter until he fractured his fibula on September 28, 2009
2009 NFL season
The 2009 NFL season was the 90th regular season of the National Football League.The preseason started with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 9, 2009, and the regular season began September 10. The season ended with Super Bowl XLIV, the league's championship game, on February 7, 2010 at...
and was placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. At the time, he was leading the team in receptions with 13 for 167 yards.
In 2010
2010 NFL season
The 2010 NFL season was the 91st regular season of the National Football League.The regular season began with the NFL Kickoff game on NBC on Thursday, September 9, at the Louisiana Superdome as the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV champions, defeated the Minnesota Vikings 14–9.Tom Brady,...
he had another dissapointing season, finishing fifth on the team with 34 receptions for 344 yards and 2 touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s. The Rams released him in the off-season.
San Diego Chargers
Robinson signed as a free agent with the San Diego ChargersSan Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on August 3, 2011
2011 NFL season
The 2011 NFL season, the 92nd regular season of the National Football League, began on Thursday, September 8, 2011 with the Super Bowl XLV champion Green Bay Packers defeating the New Orleans Saints 42–34 at Lambeau Field and will end with Super Bowl XLVI, the league's championship game, on...
. He had a disappointing preseason in which he had only 1 catch for 18 yards through the first three preseason games. Despite an impressive final preseason game in which he caught six passes for 120 yards, he was released at the end of training camp on September 3, 2011
2011 NFL season
The 2011 NFL season, the 92nd regular season of the National Football League, began on Thursday, September 8, 2011 with the Super Bowl XLV champion Green Bay Packers defeating the New Orleans Saints 42–34 at Lambeau Field and will end with Super Bowl XLVI, the league's championship game, on...
.
Dallas Cowboys
He worked out for the Dallas CowboysDallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
in September 2011
2011 NFL season
The 2011 NFL season, the 92nd regular season of the National Football League, began on Thursday, September 8, 2011 with the Super Bowl XLV champion Green Bay Packers defeating the New Orleans Saints 42–34 at Lambeau Field and will end with Super Bowl XLVI, the league's championship game, on...
. On September 7, he was signed by the Cowboys, only to be released on September 13, after having a hamstring injury during his first practice. On September 20, he was re-signed to the roster to shore up the Cowboys' injury-depleted wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
position.
On October 2, as the team's third receiver Robinson caught seven passes for 116 yards in a loss to the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
. During the week eight loss against the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, he had five catches for 103 yards and a touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
, his first as a Cowboy. In the next game on November 6, Robinson again caught five passes 32 yards and a touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
. Robinson followed up that game with three catches, two of which were touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s, against the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
starting in place of Miles Austin
Miles Austin
Miles Jonathon Austin III is an American football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
, while he was recovering from a hamstring injury. From week 8 through week 12, Laurent caught 24 passes for a total of 321 yards and 7 touchdowns.