MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson spoke with reporters Thursday on the team’s second day of training camp, touching on his development heading into his second NFL season, the return of key veterans to the defense and his offseason preparation.
Robinson, the team’s 2024 first-round pick, is expected to play a significant role in Miami’s evolving defense.
One unique element of Tuesday’s practice stood out — outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow donned boxing gloves for a reaction drill with the edge rushers.
“It’s just reaction time,” Robinson said. “When the offensive line is throwing their hands at you, it’s just a quicker reaction time. We do that most of the time before practice, so it’s just a reaction type of testing thing.”
Robinson, who finished his rookie season with six sacks, noted that Miami’s front seven brought a strong presence Thursday, something he says makes life easier for the rest of the defense.
“Just the energy everybody brought from the d-line to the outside linebackers to the linebackers, everybody brings the same energy. So if one person has the energy, everybody is going to adapt to it. And then when you’ve got the front seven doing their job, it’s easy for the backend.”
That front seven has gotten a boost with the return of veterans Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, both working their way back after suffering season-ending injuries in 2024.
“It’s been great. Especially those guys since they helped me so much last year, off the field and on the field,” Robinson said. “Being out there on the field with them – they’re guys I used to watch when I was in college and everything. It’s a blessing and it’s fun to be out there with them.”
Robinson said he and the vets don’t necessarily swap pass-rush moves, but there’s plenty of mutual learning.
“Not really moves, but I pick their brains, and we pick each other’s brains.”
He also praised the offseason addition of Minkah Fitzpatrick, an All-Pro safety who could have a major impact on the unit.
“It’s great, having somebody like that, an All-Pro guy in the back end, it’s just a blessing for us. He puts time for us, gives us time to get to the quarterback, and if we get there, we give him time to get interceptions and stuff like that.”
Though pads haven’t come on yet, Robinson has gotten limited reps against rookie offensive tackle Patrick Paul, who he faced in college.
“I went against him probably about twice. The same thing as last year. He’s a big guy, he can move for his size. He has long arms, he’s strong up top. It’s a battle every day going against Patrick Paul.”
As for his mindset entering Year 2?
“For me, it’s just taking it one day at a time. I know the type of guy I am. I know the type of player I can be, so I don’t put too much pressure on myself. Take it one day at a time. I have a bad day the next day come I just forget about it.”
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