Linebacker, Los
Angeles Rams
Age: 22
College: Southern
Height: 6’3” Weight: 225
Prelude:
Robertson
garnered attention during a senior year in college in which he accounted for
112 tackles and 45 assists. The Rams, who had cleared out their aging corps of
linebackers, chose him in the first round of the 1971 NFL draft (tenth overall)
in an effort to add speed at the position. He moved quickly into the starting
lineup and, after a slow start, came on strong as the season progressed.
1971 Season Summary
Appeared in all
14 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Sacks – N/A
Interceptions
– 4
Most
interceptions, game – 1 vs. Atlanta 9/26, vs. Chicago 10/3, at San Francisco
10/10, vs. Green Bay 10/24
Int. return
yards – 32
Most int.
return yards, game – 20 (on 1 int.) at San Francisco 10/10
Int. TDs – 0
Awards &
Honors:
NFL Defensive
Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA
2nd
team All-NFL: NEA
1st
team All-NFC: Sporting News
2nd
team All-NFC: UPI
Pro Bowl
Rams went 8-5-1
to finish second in the NFC West.
Aftermath:
Robertson
started every game at right outside linebacker for the next six seasons with
the Rams. Along the way, he was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection in
1973 and ‘76, received at least some All-NFL recognition in three other years,
and was selected to the Pro Bowl five straight times. Robertson lost his
starting job in 1978 and was dealt to Buffalo, where he rejoined ex-Rams Head
Coach Chuck Knox and was a serviceable player for the last four seasons of his
career although also prone to conflicts with teammates. Overall, over the
course of twelve seasons, Robertson intercepted 25 passes, three of which he
returned for touchdowns, and recovered 15 fumbles, scoring with one of them.
While player sacks were not officially compiled until 1982, he was credited
with an unofficial total of 25.5 sacks. Robertson was chosen to the Pro Bowl a
total of six times, all with the Rams, in addition to twice gaining consensus
All-NFL honors.
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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie
of the Year in the NFL, AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized
organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise
Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league
itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year).
