Cam Robinson leading even while injured
He’s hard to miss even when you’re not specifically looking for him.
Big No. 74 in the black jersey is there with his offensive linemen, standing to the side and watching and occasionally giving a few words for encouragement or to light a fire under one of his teammates.
Cam Robinson is out for the spring — he had an offseason shoulder surgery — but he is still out on the practice fields doing conditioning work and showing the kind of leadership that is expected from the talented left tackle heading into his junior season.
He played through pain last season as his shoulder and ankle gave him trouble from time to time. But after the bye week, Robinson lifted his game and helped life the entire offensive line.
He won’t participate in any contact work during the 15 spring practices/scrimmages. His absence, though, is giving less experienced linemen a chance to earn some valuable repetitions.
“…having a younger guy step up and gain some experience (is a good thing) so that if something happened in the season that guy’s ready to go, he’s been running with the first team and we are comfortable with him in there,” sophomore Ross Pierschbacher said.
“It always hurts to have Cam out but it gives another guy an opportunity to step up.”
Pierschbacher worked side by side to Robinson last season at left guard but this spring he’s been working at center. He’s noticed that Robinson is still participating during practice even though he can’t actually practice.
“He’s on the field with us, watching us and giving us tips and seeing how we’re doing,” Pierschbacher said. “He’s still being a vocal leader from the side and it’s good to see that.”
With team captain Ryan Kelly gone on the offensive line, as well as Jake Coker and Derrick Henry from the offense, leadership is needed on the offensive side of the ball.
Alabama coach Nick Saban said Robinson is a natural candidate to fill some of that role.
“He definitely has leadership qualities. He’s got sort of the alpha dog personality that you really like in a leader,” Saban said. “Some guys are willing to take that responsibility. He seems to be doing that.
“He’s making good progress (from his injury). I think with Cam, he heals and he always feels like he can do more that what the docs are allowing him to do right now. We certainly are going to make the decision based on the medical staff and we’re not going to push him this spring so we can get him ready for the summer and the fall. I’m pleased with the way he’s responded to this and the role that he’s taken in trying to help the other players and set a good example for them and be a good leader.”
Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229.