Good things come to those that wait. And for Bears receiver Allen Robinson, he’s been patiently waiting for this upcoming season.
One year removed from recovery from reconstructive knee surgery, Robinson said the biggest thing for him this year was getting time before Organized Team Activities (OTAs) where he could train on his own. That wasn’t something he could do last season, as he was recovering from a torn ACL.
“I think that was the biggest difference,” Robinson said Sunday. “Last year I didn’t start running routes until about June. Being able to have that 8-10 week span before training camp — on my own — to be able to get a lot of work in, I think that was the most beneficial.”
It also helped getting to participate in every practice, where Robinson got in valuable reps, as well as went through a lot of things he couldn’t last year.
Last season, Robinson had 55 receptions for 754 yards and four touchdowns in 13 regular-season games. Not exactly numbers to make any fantasy owner swoon.
But what Robinson was able to show last season — including in that playoff loss to the Eagles, where he had 10 receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown — is that he’s the kind of player that’s capable of being a star receiver in this league.
It’s taken some time before he’s felt like he’s fully healthy, but Robinson has already noticed the difference in his game from last year to this point as a result.
“I look like a totally different player,” Robinson said. “It’s one of those things, everybody says it takes time. You want to be back at that as soon as possible. Last year, I thought through each week of the season I thought I progressed and got better every week. It’s still been like that throughout camp.”
With that continued progression, Robinson is primed for a bounce-back, breakout season for the Bears.
With an offense that’s entering its second season, that continuity — and having your No. 1 receiver ready and healthy — speaks volumes about the potential of this offense in 2019.
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