Robinson ready for belated breakout

CHENEY – A funny thing happened to Koren Robinson on his way to becoming the NFL’s next big thing.

As quickly as national football writers could anoint him the second coming of Terrell Owens, the Seattle Seahawks’ young receiver fell back into the obscurity that is the Pacific Northwest.

The up-and-comer had an underwhelming 2003 season, and now a whole new crop of young receivers have taken his place on the list of next big things.

“It was real frustrating,” Robinson said of not being able to live up to the hype in 2003. “I just wanted to keep improving on my numbers, and it didn’t happen. But there were circumstances.”

Typically when someone talks about “circumstances,” they really mean “excuses.” But Robinson isn’t blaming things like injuries, play-calling or miscommunication. Plain and simple, Robinson says he started getting double-teamed last year and never figured out how to adjust.

“I really didn’t make an impact my first year (in 2001), and teams weren’t paying attention to me,” he said. “Then I put up numbers my second year (in 2002), and teams were saying: ‘He’s a threat.’ They started game-planning for me. You could see it on film; the film doesn’t lie.”

Offensive coordinator Gil Haskell acknowledged that Robinson saw his share of double teams last season, but shrugged it off as part of the game.

“They’re going to do those things to you, and you overcome them,” Haskell said. “In our offense, if you’re covered, we’re going to somebody else. We’re not going to wait for you to be there; we’re going on to the next guy.”

Robinson had a breakout year in 2002, catching 78 passes for 1,240 yards and five touchdowns. He took advantage of an injury to Darrell Jackson, earning his place as the go-to guy in November and December.

Robinson went into the 2003 season with big goals, hoping to eclipse marks of 100 catches, 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns.

None of that happened. He finished the 2003 season with modest totals of 65 receptions, 896 yards and four touchdowns.

Robinson played through nagging injuries – although he still doesn’t talk about them – and struggled with dropped passes at times last season. Drops were a common problem on Seattle’s receiving corps and have been a focus of summer workouts.

“We talked all offseason about the drops that we had, and I told them: ‘That’s last year, it’s over,’ ” receivers coach Nolan Cromwell said. ” ‘Clean slate. We’re not going to talk anymore about it. Go out and catch the ball.’ “

Robinson, 24, was so dedicated to improving this season that he moved to the Seattle area and took part in unscheduled offseason workouts with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and other teammates.

He attended all the summer minicamps and seemed to be on the way toward getting back on track after a disappointing season in 2003.

Then Robinson suffered a minor hip injury in June, keeping him off the field for the first week of training camp. He took part in his first practice Sunday and is ready for a breakout season – even if it’s one year too late.

“I’m just trying to get the ball. I’m doing whatever I can do to get the ball,” he said. “I’m trying to show Matt in practices that I want the ball and I’m going to be reliable.”

Robinson’s teammates know they can rely on him, even though the so-called experts have moved on in their quest to find the next big thing.

“We’re going to need Koren to have a huge year if we’re going to get to where the expectations dictate,” receiver Bobby Engram said. “And I know that’s what he’s expecting of himself.”