The San Diego Chargers strengthened their secondary by signing former New Saints first-round cornerback Patrick Robinson to a one-year contract on Thursday. Robinson is the third defensive back recently inked by the Chargers, joining CB Brandon Flowers and S Jimmy Wilson.
Originally the 32nd overall selection out of Florida State in 2010, Robinson totaled 185 tackles, 46 passes defensed and nine interceptions in 58 games with New Orleans. After appearing in just two games in 2013 due to a knee injury, the 5-11, 191-pound cornerback bounced back in 2014 to play in 14 games, recording 39 tackles, 11 passes defensed and two interceptions. One of Robinson’s nine career interceptions was a team-record-tying 99-yard score during a game against Philadelphia in 2012. Robinson also has two blocked kicks, both during the 2011 season. He played in three career playoff games, recording nine tackles and four passes defensed.
A popular presence in the Saints’ locker room, Robinson’s teammates elected him the team’s 2014 Ed Block Courage Award winner. The award “honors those players who overcome adversity on the field, possess strong character and a will to endure life’s trials, and who continuously strive for excellence on and off the field.” The cornerback earned the honor for his diligent rehab to battle back after rupturing his patella tendon in Week 2 of the 2013 season.
Robinson’s signing is the Chargers’ 10th roster move to add or retain players during free agency. The Bolts previously signed the following unrestricted free agents: wide receiver Stevie Johnson (San Francisco), safety Jimmy Wilson (Miami), guard Orlando Franklin (Denver), return specialist Jacoby Jones (Baltimore) and defensive lineman Mitch Unrein (Denver). The Chargers also re-signed three of their own would-be unrestricted free agents: left tackle King Dunlap, cornerback Brandon Flowers and defensive end Ricardo Mathews along with restricted free agent center Trevor Robinson.
