AUBURN AUTHORITY

Greg Robinson 'anxious to get to work' with St. Louis Rams

James Crepea
Montgomery Advertiser
Greg Robinson is introduced by St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead after being taken in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

AUBURN -- The long wait ended on Thursday night for Greg Robinson.

The former Auburn left tackle was drafted with the No. 2 overall pick by the St. Louis Rams in last week's NFL Draft, the end of a four-month journey since he declared the day after the BCS title game.

"I'm anxious to get to work and really happy that I'm here," Robinson said Tuesday during his introductory news conference in St. Louis.

The 6-foot-5, 327-pound Robinson was a huge piece to the Auburn line, which paved the way for the nation's leading rushing offense, including Tre Mason, who was drafted in the third round by St. Louis. Robinson is so big, he said he couldn't fit inhis locker at Auburn.

"The film speaks for itself, he's a different creature," Mason said. "He takes over his assignment and does it well and makes my assignment that much easier."

The former Auburn stars unite in St. Louis, a team with deep ties to the Tigers.

They're joined by former Florida State cornerback LeMarcus Joyner, the Rams' second-round pick. Joyner recalled going up against Robinson in the BCS title game.

"I came on a blitz on the edge, and it was a stalemate," he said. "Most big guys, I kind of use my athleticism to get around, but Greg, he's a big athletic guy and it was a stalemate. He's a pretty good football player."

Robinson has spent the last few days helping his mom, Rhonda Robinson, as she returned home to Thibodaux, La. They were in New York for a very emotional night at the draft last week.

"When I got the call and hearing my family behind me as I was on the phone, it made me a little more emotional," Robinson said. "I tried to stay strong because a few guys told me don't cry, but it's just something that happened."'

Robinson expanded on his personal story, which he shared as part of a new VISA commercial that aired during the draft. He lost his father and his family was impacted by Hurricane Katrina, but Robinson persevered and ended up at Auburn and now the NFL.

"There was times I sat in my room and just thought about my dad, he hasn't seen me play one college football game and he's gone," Robinson said. "Just to be a positive influence in my neighborhood and let those around me that I grew up with, let them know that there's hope and dreams can come true."

Where others may have chosen the wrong paths, Robinson succeeded because "I don't think responding to something bad negative(ly) will make it a better situation."

Robinson, who will wear No. 79 in St. Louis, said he's signed with Nike and asked the apparel giant to donate to his high school.

"The first opportunity I could to do something positive for the neighborhood or anywhere that I came from, it's a blessing," he said. "I'm happy to be in this position where I could do something like that."

Most analysts considered Robinson to have the most "upside" of all the tackles in this year's draft. Robinson, who is expected to play left guard for the Rams, recognizes meeting that potential is up to him.

"I control that ceiling so it's just how much I want to learn, as far as going into it with a positive attitude and trusting the coaches," Robinson said. "I believe (Ram offensive line) coach Paul Boudreau has a great plan for the O-line."