Revitalized, Robinson is ready to give NFL his best shot

Toby Wright remembers what he saw in Dale Robinson the first day he stepped into his gym two months ago. It sure wasn't the look of that dominating linebacker who earned co-defensive player of the year honors in the Pac-10 at Arizona State his senior year.
&#8220He was bent over, disappointed,” recalled Wright, a former All-American at Nebraska and strong safety in the National Football League with the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins.
Robinson, a Holy Cross graduate and St. Albans native, had reason to be disgusted. Although he was rated as the fifth-best middle linebacker by NFL.com entering the NFL Draft and was projected as a fifth round selection, he was bypassed. The Indianapolis Colts signed him as an un-drafted free agent shortly thereafter.
Robinson's stock fell due to his less-than-stellar 40-meter-dash time, which was hampered by a late-season injury. But Wright, who met Robinson prior to his senior year, told him to return to Tempe, Arizona to get ready for Colts training camp at his gym, Spot Talent.
They worked on everything to get into premium shape - weight lifting, running, agility, linebacker drills, even a little boxing. &#8220We worked out twice a day, in the morning at the gym and at a local high school field,” said Wright. &#8220He trimmed down, got his wind together; now he's able to [really] run. He got introduced to what is hard work and [what] his body can do.”
&#8220I can't see myself getting tired now,” Robinson said.
Robinson, who took part in rookie mini-camp and Organized Team Activities (OTA's) in Indianapolis with all the regulars and reported to camp this week, is ready to defy all the doubters, specifically the scouts and coaches who said he couldn't compete at the next level. &#8220I just feel like I have a lot to prove, that I can make plays,” said Robinson, who dropped close to 15 pounds during the summer to get into premium shape. Wright labeled the 6-foot, 225-pound Robinson, third on the Colts depth chart at the middle linebacker spot, &#8220a sleeper,” someone who is a &#8220shoo-in to make the team.”
&#8220What you do on the field is the ultimate answer,” said Wright. &#8220Dale can play the game at the next level. He's so confident mentally, he's going to come in and make some things happen.”