Falcons RB Bijan Robinson signs contract, debuts jersey number 7 for junior camp debut

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Bijan Robinson He has a new number with Kabir Atlanta History, a newly signed contract and huge expectations that the rookie Falcons have not faced in recent years.

The Falcons announced Friday, on the opening day of the team’s new three-day mini-camp, that Robinson has signed a $21.96 million, four-year contract with an option for a fifth year. Robinson debuted his new jersey number 7—the number previously worn by former Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick—at camp.

Robinson came to an agreement with the venue operator Younggo Kowhich shifted from No. 7 to No. 6.

Although the Falcons’ number was not retired, Robinson said the coaches had approval from Vick to wear the rookie number 7.

Robinson admitted he thought twice about taking the number Vick wore for six years in Atlanta after he was the first pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. Vick was named to three Pro Bowl teams and became the first quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards before spending 21 months in federal prison after his conviction for his role in a dog fighting ring.

“The coaches asked Vic if I could wear it, and he was really excited about it,” said Robinson. “I think it’s great to carry on with such a great number. When I was thinking about the number I was like uh, I don’t know if I should have done that. There were some good guys who wore it. But it means a lot to the program, and I’m going to ride with it and do it the way correct.”

Robinson said Coe was “absolutely fantastic” by giving up seventh place.

The Falcons selected Robinson eighth overall in the NFL Draft last month It was widely seen as an affirmation of the team’s run-first philosophy under third year head coach Arthur Smith.

Robinson is quick to note that he expects to be more than just a runner on the Falcons offense. He had 60 passes for 805 yards and eight touchdowns in his college career at Texas While running for 3,410 yards and 33 touchdowns.

Robinson was the first rusher to return among the first 10 picks in the draft since then I will be Barkley He was the second selection in 2018 by New York Giants. This establishes the inevitable comparisons between Robinson and Barclay.

Robinson’s spell on the first-run offense puts Robinson in a position to thrive as a starter.

“Obviously, I have expectations,” he said. “For me, it’s just another chance to be the best player I can be. … I’m so excited to show what I can do as a good teammate and then let everything else go from there.”

Smith says there is room on offense for Robinson and the second year in a row Tyler limewho ran for 1,035 yards as a junior and finished the 2022 season as the No. 1 running back.

Smith says Robinson’s explosive ability to play big makes him a “home run hitter” on offense. Smith said that Allgeier is “a sledgehammer that clubs through their line of scrimmage while the game lasts and drains you.”

Robinson’s skills can be compared with Cordarrell Pattersona former wide receiver with Minnesota And Chicago before switching to running back when he joined the Falcons in 2021. Patterson continued to line out at wide range in several formations with the Falcons and will enter the final year of his contract in 2023.

Robinson’s playing history in Texas gambling qualifies him for a versatile role in Atlanta.

“With Bijan, how does he fit in, there are a lot of versatile guys,” Smith said Friday. “We feel we can give some people some unique rivalries and continue to push boundaries, and we’re excited about all the newbies to that.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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