5 Questions with Bleeding Green Nation on Patrick Robinson

Our friend Brandon over at SB Nation's Bleeding Green Nation on the Philadelphia Eagles, was kind enough to answer a few questions about one of the new additions to the New Orleans Saints: our old pal Patrick Robinson.

Early reports are that Robinson signed a 4 year/20 million dollar deal. Is this a contract you wish the Eagles would have offered? Do you think the Saints underpaid or overpaid?

According to one report, the Eagles actually offered more overall money than the Saints did. But New Orleans reportedly offered more guaranteed money, which is really all that matters anyway.

Given that the Eagles are tight up against the cap, it would’ve been hard for them to pay $10 million guaranteed to a 30-year-old corner coming off a career season. The Eagles saw how Robinson was downright dreadful for them in training camp before he turned things around. They also know he’s been injured and inconsistent throughout his career. Re-signing him wasn’t a sure bet for Philly.

I don’t think the Saints overpaid if Robinson is the player that he was in 2017. He was legitimately one of the best slot corners in the NFL. He also held his own when other Eagles cornerback injuries forced him to play on the outside on occasion.

The only problem is that it remains to be seen which version of Robinson the Saints will be getting. Was 2017 an outlier or is the former first-round pick finally living up to his potential late in his career?

Saints are very familiar a different version of Patrick Robinson, but we’ve heard he’s evolved since leaving NOLA. What is the strongest aspect of Robinson’s game?

Robinson excelled while playing as the nickel cornerback. The Eagles could count on him winning matchups against shifty slot receivers that gave them trouble in past years. He displayed good technique and discipline. He was rarely caught out of position, if at all. Robinson always showed good ball skills with four interceptions and 18 passes defensed.

Where would you see he could look most to improve?

Based on how I watched him routinely get roasted over the top during 2017 training camp, I would expect his deep speed to be an issue. He was so bad that a number of media members thought he was having the worst camp of any Eagles player.

Oddly enough, Robinson didn’t struggle in this regard during the regular season. Part of that was because they primarily moved him into the slot, but as I said before, he did hold up well when he was asked to fill in on the outside.

Is Robinson’s play-making ability changed by playing in the slot or outside?

Again, based on what I saw during the regular season, he can handle playing outside in a pinch. It wouldn’t be ideal to utilize him out there regularly, however. I think he’s a very good slot corner and I’d keep him there if I was the Saints’ coaching staff. I trust Robinson’s quickness more than I do his long speed.

Of Robinson 4 regular season INTs, how many were athletic plays on the ball and how many were just the result of a throw directly at him? During his time in New Orleans, Robinson was not known for having the best hands…

Robinson’s first interception came off a tipped pass. Nothing too difficult, but he did show good enough awareness to track the ball in the air.

Robinson’s second interception came on a play where he had good positioning and jumped a route.

Robinson’s third interception came on a weird play where Jonathan Stewart dropped a pass right into the corner’s diving arms. That was a gift.

Robinson’s fourth interception came on a underthrown pass over the middle. Robinson was trailing his receiver but his coverage was tight enough to cut off the pass.

Thank-you, for taking the time to talk with us! Saints fans, make sure you check out their work over at Bleeding Green Nation. You can follow them on Twitter at @BleedingGreen and Brandon @BrandonGowton. Of course, as always, you can follow me on Twitter @dunnellz.