Robinson Having A Blast

It started innocently enough.

Jeff Robinson told St. Louis Rams coaches he’d run routes as a tight end for the scout team.

“They needed a guy to help out,” Robinson said. “I was just having fun. I’d catch a pass and talk to the defense, because those were my guys. Then they put me in on short-yardage (last year) and I caught a touchdown pass.”

And that’s how Robinson, former Idaho Vandal and Ferris Saxon, became a current NFL tight end. Yes, his specialty remains long-snapping on punts and kicks. Yes, he made it into the NFL in 1993 with Denver as a defensive end.

But playing tight end has rejuvenated him. That, and the stunning 5-0 start the Rams have put together, outscoring five opponents by 123 points.

“I’m playing 20-25 plays a game,” he said. “It’s been a lot of fun, so much more than long-snapping.

“I’m not going to lie, I’ve been more excited. My friends and family say I’m more excited to talk football. It’s made this year an awful lot of fun and it’s been challenging learning a new position.”

He made the move to tight end after the Rams’ first mini-camp. He’s received added playing time because of an injury to starter Ernie Conwell. Robinson has three catches for 34 yards, including a TD catch against San Francisco.

“It’s a good fit for me,” he says. “I had a lot of success at defensive line at Idaho, but at the next level I wasn’t athletically gifted enough to play defensive line. I was way too small. Now, I’m a good-sized tight end.”

On what appears to be a fine football team. The Rams are the NFL’s lone unbeaten. If they stay healthy, Robinson likes their chances.

“Everyone’s putting up their Rams stuff. Everyone’s on the bandwagon and we keep piling up cars,” says Robinson, who was married in July of ‘98. “We were terrible last year, to be honest with you. The year before we were 2-2 and lost eight in a row. It’s been two long years. For us to start the way we did, everybody’s rejuvenated.”

Robinson hasn’t missed a game due to injury in seven NFL seasons. He’s only had one bad snap, during his rookie year, in those seven years (“Yeah, thanks for asking,” he jokes).

He knows his value as a snapper is why he’s still in the league, but tight end has opened his eyes to a new world.

“I don’t think I’ll ever quit snapping, but this (tight end) certainly helps me being able to play,” says Robinson, who recently bought a house in St. Louis. “Just getting out there is so much fun.”

What would be even more enjoyable? An end reverse pass play, of course. He’s lobbied coaches to add that jewel to the playbook. “No luck yet,” he laughed.

Panhandling

As titles go, Kordell “Slash” Stewart and Mike “VP/GM/Coach” Holmgren have nothing on former Coeur d’Alene Vikings football player Tim Sperber.

He’s the head football coach and A.D. at Colton High. He’s an EMT in his hometown of Genesee, Idaho, and has been asked to help in a similar capacity in Colton. He also works with a couple of youth groups.

So what’s the guy to do with all his spare time? Run for mayor. He’s running unopposed in Genesee. “I think I might win,” he mused. “I’ll probably have to cut back on a few other things.”

Barring an election-night surprise, he’ll replace the honorable Randy Hall, an assistant football coach at Idaho, in January.

Idaho is running TV spots urging fans to attend Saturday’s homecoming football game against Utah State at Martin Stadium.

Hopefully, fans miss part of the pitch. According to the ads, the game is Sept. 23, not Oct. 23.

Let’s see. The WAC picks off Nevada and Big West commish Dennis Farrell issues a statement, but is unavailable for comment.

Then the WAC picks off Boise State. Farrell issues a statement and doesn’t return a phone message. For those scoring at home, he’s 0 for 2 in the accountability department.

Remember Leonard Myles, who played a role in North Idaho College’s march to the NJCAA basketball tourney a few years ago? The talented-but-troubled Myles has resurfaced at East Central College in Union, Mo.

Myles’ cousin and former NIC teammate, Todd Myles, is a point guard at Mississippi State.

Front row

We advise you to bring a padded seat. One of the busiest weeks of the sports season is upon us.

Friday night football has Lake City going for the Border League crown at Post Falls. Meanwhile, Sandpoint visits Coeur d’Alene with considerable playoff implications at stake.

Saturday night football has UI entertaining Utah State. A crowd of 20,000 probably pushes Idaho over the magical I-A attendance requirement, says A.D. Mike Bohn.

In volleyball, the A-1 Region I tournament concludes Thursday at Sandpoint, the resounding favorite. The A-2 district tourney title will be determined Saturday afternoon at Lakeland High. The A-4s also crown their district champ Saturday at Falls Christian.

The A-1 Region I girls soccer finale is Friday at 3 at a site TBA. Wake Up and Read it and you’ll know where. The boys’ regional crown is Saturday, but an interesting semifinal could come Thursday when regular-season champ CdA might have its fourth go-around with Lake City.

Grad school

Middle blocker Angie Shirley, a Coeur d’Alene High grad, had another productive weekend, though her Oregon State team didn’t.

Shirley had 19 kills in OSU’s loss to No. 17 USC. She added 12 kills in a loss to No. 6 UCLA. Shirley also made a rare back-row appearance.

Rumor du jour

Consider this thinking out loud. Would the Big Sky consider allowing Idaho to join in sports other than football? Would Idaho jump if that opportunity came?

Wanted to pose that question to Big Sky commish Doug Fullerton, but he didn’t return a phone message Monday. He’s got a good track record for calling, so I don’t consider him 0 for 1!