Rams’ Greg Robinson aims to ‘clean up’ game

Greg Robinson’s reputation has preceded him.

That, at least, is one reason why the Rams’ left tackle said he has been called for multiple holding penalties this season.

Robinson, the No. 2 pick in the 2014 draft, struggled with penalties during his first two seasons.

“I probably have gained as far as like a bad reputation, just due to the fact that early on in the league when I was a rookie and a second-year guy, I created a name for myself,” Robinson said. “I feel like they’re watching for that.

“So the main thing is just try my best to be strict on myself and fix those things I’m struggling with.”

The 6-foot-5, 332-pound Robinson was cited for four penalties in last week’s 17-10 loss to the New York Giants in London. After the game, Coach Jeff Fisher said Robinson needed to “clean it up a bit” and continue to learn.

“Second to the quarterback position on offense, the left-tackle position is probably hardest to play,” Fisher said. “When you’re trying to get people out on routes, and trying to get the ball here and there, oftentimes he’s going to be left on his own.

“Again, Greg is a talented player. But, you know, we didn’t bring Greg into our organization thinking we were going to throw 50 times.”

Robinson, 24, spent time during the offseason working with former NFL lineman LeCharles Bentley. Fisher praised him early in the season, saying Robinson has shown improvement.

Robinson said he has worked on hand position but sometimes that is not enough.

“Sometimes I don’t even feel like I’m holding, but they still call it because they’re looking for anything,” he said. “All a guy really has to do is throw his hand up and if it looks like I’m holding they’re [calling] it.

“I’ve just got to be critical of those things and try to fix it.”

Robinson is part of a line that has struggled to spring running back Todd Gurley for the types of gains that characterized Gurley’s rookie season.

Gurley is averaging only 57.6 yards rushing per game and only three yards per carry.

“I feel like we go out there and we have effort,” Robinson said. “It’s just like when Todd is at the line, the holes just close, you know what I’m saying?

“I can’t really explain. I feel like all we can do is just keep putting our heads down and if we keep grinding hard enough, maybe one will pop and that will spark something.”

Fisher said Wednesday that no changes were coming on the offensive line.

“We’ve got guys that can play and that can back up” he said. “No, I’ve not given any consideration.”

The Rams resume their schedule Nov. 6 against the Carolina Panthers at the Coliseum.

Robinson, who played at Auburn, said he had “made a lot of strides” and acknowledged he was “not perfect.” He said he would continue to work to improve.

“I understood that it was going to be a process,” he said, “and I feel like I’ve stuck the course.”