Panthers Sign 5th Round Pick G Duke Robinson

by Jaxon on Jul 16, 2009 10:14 PM EDT

After a brief lull in rookie contract signings the Panthers closed a deal with 5th round pick G Duke Robinson.

The Carolina Panthers have struck a four-year deal with rookie offensive guard Duke Robinson that included a $171,590 signing bonus, according to a league source.

The fifth-round draft pick's deal has a maximum value of $2.663 million if a fourth-year escalator clause is triggered.

Robinson's contract includes minimum base salaries of $310,000, $395,000, $480,000 and $565,000.

The 6'5, 330-pound former University of Oklahoma standout is the great nephew of singer Smokey Robinson.

Robinson was projected to be drafted a lot higher but slid after concerns about his weight and conditioning. He's a 6'5" 330 lb behemoth that could be the gem of this Panther draft if he can dispel the concerns. He should plug quite nicely into the RG spot in a season or two.

Hat tip to Dave Jinxer for breaking the news

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I'm pretty stoked about Duke

And depending on the language of it, the contract seems pretty reasonable.

Here’s hoping he hits those escalators and becomes a part of the Panthers OL for years to come.

PS. Didn’t know he was related to Smokey, that’s pretty awesome.

by the bomb dot com on Jul 17, 2009 12:01 AM EDT reply actions

Nice picture

I’d love to see him beat out Vincent straight up, but it might be a year before he does.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Jul 17, 2009 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions

You would have thought with all the success the Panthers have had with fat linemen

… that they’d stop sliding in the draft because of it. Fox/Hurney seem to be getting good at finding undervalued talent.

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Jul 17, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Then again...

That whole Toinu Fonoti thing didn’t go so well.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 17, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Duke Robinson in the 5th round?

Pleaaaaaaaase Procton you can’t miss with Duke. Taking talent like that in the 5th round is so smart that even if he doesn’t prove his worth, I won’t blame Fox. In my view, if he has the will to play the game, he will be a starter in this league. That’s what killed Fonoti. He had the talent it’s true, but he wouldn’t get in shape. Sure he was alright to get the money, but when it came down to it he wanted his Twinkies too.

Duke Robinson? I don’t think he’ll be like that. For now, he’s a talented backup. Later, he will be a starter. If it wasn’t for Duke, I would worry about taking a injury at tackle. Without Duke, our line would take a step back. With Duke, nothing to worry about! Say if Otah goes down, just slide Wharton over to tackle and move Duke to Guard. Problem solved with very little backlash. Then the running game takes over, and the Panthers win the Super Bowl.

This is our year.

"Once again the trowsers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn

by Revshawn on Jul 17, 2009 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions

So...

You’re willing to trust in a 5th-round rookie to be a rock as our #6 OL? Why would he get in shape now when he never really was in college?

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 17, 2009 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions

A 5th round rookie that was rated to go in the 2nd round.

Moreover, I expect that money would be a very good motivator. The world runs on it after all.

As I said, it’s going to be all on him. If he wants to be a football player, he’ll be a starter. If he thinks he can just relax and just wing it, he’ll fail.

"Once again the trowsers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn

by Revshawn on Jul 18, 2009 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Especially with that clause in his contract laced with incentives.

That should be good motivation.

Will Parker

by WillParker81 on Jul 18, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions

The rating obviously didn't mean much.

Again, I hope the guy turns into a quality starter for years. But guys don’t fall that far for no reason.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 18, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

There were similar concerns about Otah...

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/jeff-otah?id=292#player-profile-tab-set-1:player-profile-tab-analysis

He seems to have worked out okay.

Plus, the difference is that the NFL is a BUSINESS. College is just play, especially for the true talent there. My point being is the NFL is a completely different motivational environment.

by Barbados on Jul 18, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Otah missed all of the summer and several games this year with a sprained ankle.

I wouldn’t say he’s shown his dedication yet. And while he was obviously a mauler in the run game, he’s still pretty weak in the pass game (14th in the league among RTs with 5 sacks allowed…in only 12 games. The only guy who allowed more in fewer games was Jon Jansen, who’s approximately 400 years old and signed to be a backup…with the Lions.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 18, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Sprained ankle Procton

Not because he was throwing up from eating too many Twinkies, a sprained ankle. Give him a break. I also would like to mention, he played his entire senior season on a sprained ankle and still made it into the first round. He’s tough, smart, and his pass blocking will improve, he was only a rookie after all.

by Flowing Willow on Jul 20, 2009 6:09 AM EDT up reply actions

And if a sprained ankle is something that's going to hamper him like that...

Maybe he should pick a different position that’s not as tough.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 20, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

If I remember correctly, the docs/coaches held him out so it could heal completely.

Will Parker

by WillParker81 on Jul 20, 2009 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Tough is Otah's middle name

Playing an entire season on football and excelling with an injury that would lay up most of us. As well as excelling with the nagging injury this year. MP, you are a great asset to the blog, but sometimes you (naughty word) all of us.

by Flowing Willow on Jul 21, 2009 6:23 AM EDT up reply actions

A sprained ankle is going to hamper any down lineman

Particularly an Offensive Lineman in pass protection, since you are tending to back up onto your heels and form a pocket. Not to mention, we are talking 350+ lbs. resting on that ankle. There are some injuries that affect a certain position more than others.

by Tater596 on Jul 21, 2009 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions

True

Last year Fonoti’s was suppose to comeback like Jake in a 2 minute drill! What happened to that guy???

See, I gave Jake props… Now your turn with Pep :)

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Jul 18, 2009 12:38 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Vincent for now later, for Duke

Great find by Carolina in this years draft by nabbing Duke Robinson so late; he will replace Vincent after this season easily. Contract is pretty reasonable as well. If the kid stays healthy an in shape panthers may have found a rare late round gem. GOOD can we get to training camp already I am simply cannot wait any longer.

GO PANTHERS !!!!

by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Jul 17, 2009 1:03 AM EDT reply actions

I like the enthusiasm...

But let’s watch the kid before we shower him with praise. He didn’t fall to the 5th round for no reason.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 17, 2009 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Amen, brother.

by r3 on Jul 17, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Just my take,

but it seems that they really were trying to get a long term deal with Peppers. There had been a lull from the rookie signings but the day after the possibility of signing Pep, they get right back to their rookies.

Just an observation.

by LittleKing on Jul 17, 2009 8:11 AM EDT reply actions

Then again...

The vast majority of non-1st-round contracts are basically sign and paste, so it’s not like they were under any pressure or should have been worried about getting the rookie deals done when camp still isn’t even close.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 17, 2009 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Here's what I thought in the earlier post (in case anybody missed it)

The reported deal is relatively interesting. Without the escalator clause, it’s a standard 5th-round deal worth $1.75 million over four years with a $171,590 signing bonus (TE John Nalborne, drafted two picks earlier went for the same terms with a $173K signing bonus.) It’s hard to guess what the escalator clause might include (games started? Percentage of snaps played?), but if Robinson hits it and it’s activated, the deal (4 years, $2.663) would be on par with an early 3rd- or late 2nd-rounder (Shonn Greene, the first pick of the 3rd round, signed a contract for 4 and $2.665 million.) I wonder whether that was a concession on the part of the Panthers to keep a guy they think can be a solid roster asset down the road for an extra year before he has a chance to hit free agency.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 17, 2009 9:33 AM EDT reply actions

If the contract is as you've stated it

That is a very smart move. The Panthers organization is not dumb… and noone can blame it for the handling of the Peppers fiasco. I’m no insider or anything, but it seems clear that Peppers agent (Carey) really bombed that one.

by Tater596 on Jul 17, 2009 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions

I to like how the Panthers FO handles things.

They do not blast anyone in the media, they do not talk contracts and other issues with the media, and they keep pretty much everything in-house. They did not panick when Pep stated his desires, they just stayed firm. Thats leadership. I hope the Big Cat is doing alright. Has there been any news recently on how he is doing?

Will Parker

by WillParker81 on Jul 18, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions

he stopped by during OTA's

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Jul 18, 2009 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Everybody said he looked and sounded great.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 19, 2009 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Another note on the kid

There are two things that the Big 12 conference is known for producing on a consistent basis, top tier RBs, and great linemen. (After all, you can’t have a great running game without the pile pushers on the front line)

Especially when we are talking about a school like Oklahoma, a perennial powerhouse who has also given us Adrian Peterson lately. You guys might know him. Anyway, I don’t have the time right now to see if he ever did any blocking for Peterson, he would have been at best a sophomore for Peterson’s senior season. But, if there is one league i trust to produce quality linemen, it is the big 12.

by Tater596 on Jul 17, 2009 10:03 AM EDT reply actions

He did do some of that blocking.

I don’t know if he was starting his freshman year, but he did play in 10 games at LT and LG. By his sophomore season, he was definitely starting. You’re right about the Big 12. That conference (and the midwest in general) seems to put out solid, hardworking OL players with regularity. And they’re not the type to ever let their ego get in the way of the team’s success.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 17, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

wow he is HUGE. that is some great size for a RG/LG

by Heyward is the next crime dog on Jul 17, 2009 3:02 PM EDT reply actions

You Tube highlights

This from SB Nation’s Buffalo blog:

http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2009/3/15/798063/youtube-sunday-duke-robins

by bigdavis on Jul 23, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions

Are you For Real?!

Noone on here has mentioned the fact of how cool it would be to have both Duke and Otah on the Right side. I mean think about it. Otah is 6’6" 330 and Duke is 6’5" and 330. Together they can take out that whole defensive side and open up the running lanes for Double Trouble. I mean come on. Duke was amazing in college. How many times was Sam Bradford sacked from the right side while Duke was blocking For him. Did they ever lose a game because He couldn’t handle a defensive tackle. Were there any defensive tackles that got to Bradford. I know everyone is thinking of the Championship Game but in his Defense. Oklahoma had no answer for anything that Florida threw at them.

by armywarrenL on Jul 24, 2009 2:58 AM EDT reply actions

Well...

Robinson played mostly LG in college, but outside of that, you make a decent point. Still, there are plenty of massive linemen who have come and gone without making an impact (see Fonoti, Toinu.)

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions

You're Right

But at the same time how many people got to Bradford’s blindside. Almost everytime that he was sacked it came from the left end. granted he did let a few get by him but one of the reasons bradford was so calm in the pocket is because nobody was coming from his blind side.

by armywarrenL on Jul 26, 2009 5:02 AM EDT reply actions