Cornerback Nickell Robey from University of Southern California (USC) is one of many players in NFL training camps who has made the unexpected jump from undrafted free agent to an active roster.
Listed at 5’8”, 165 pounds, Robey has helped the Bills overcome early-season injuries in the secondary to starting cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore (wrist) and Leodis McKelvin (hamstring), and Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd. Robey has seven tackles and has gotten a lot of snaps in the nickel defense, and could get more if Gilmore and McKelvin don’t come back from their injuries soon.
Robey, only 21, has been impressive ever since he was signed by the Bills right after the NFL Draft, and was complimented by defensive coordinator Mike Pettine in an interview by BuffaloBills.com’s John Murphy in June (via buffalorumblings.com):
“Nickell Robey has come in and done a real nice job. You can tell he (was) very well-coached in Southern California. He’s made big plays in big games. I don’t think it’ll be too big for him. We’re pleased with where we are in the back end, and not just in the nickel spot.”
Robey was able to start in the second preseason game against the Vikings with Leodis McKelvin and Crezdon Butler out due to injury. Robey was complimented in camp by undrafted rookie Wide Receiver Da’Rick Rogers, who is now on the Indianapolis Colts practice squad (You can see what he said in my analysis of that practice here). BuddyNixon.com’s Rob Quinn wrote in August that Robey could potentially become the Bills’ starting nickel cornerback.
Pro Player Insiders spoke with Robey at training camp.
PPI: You started at the left corner spot against the Vikings. What was that experience like, and what did you gain from it?
Nickell Robey: “It was fun out there playing with the guys. It was fun out there just making plays on the ball and getting a chance to help the team out to win. Overall, I think that my performance was a good performance, I try to get my hands on some balls and get some tackles, and make some good plays. It was good.
PPI: In June, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said you had “come in and done a real nice job, You can tell he (was) very well-coached in Southern California. He’s made big plays in big games. I don’t think it’ll be too big for him.” What did that mean coming from him, how is it being coached by him, and how have you used that praise to better yourself?
NR: “I just stay humble, keep working hard knowing that what’s going on right now is just a process, and just to keep moving forward into this preseason. Focusing on making plays and staying coachable. That’s the main thing it is to be in this training camp with me for the most part. Just staying on top of the little things because that’s what counts the most. If you’ve seen the practice out there, it’s a lot of small things that can predict the outcome of a game. I just have to make sure that I’m on top of those things and stay sharp.
PPI: Da’Rick Rogers pointed you out as one of the undrafted players that has played extremely well in camp. What does that mean to you, and how have you approached camp?
NR: “Coming into camp, I had the mindset of just really going strong, and really showing everybody what I was made of, and showing the Buffalo Bills organization that I’m worthy to be on this team. I’ll do whatever it takes just to be on this team and in this league because now it’s a big deal. Like I said, just coming out here and doing what I got to do to make this team is the most important part.
PPI: You are listed at 5’8’’, 165 pounds. With size not a strength of yours, what other areas do you perform well in to overcome your lack of size?
NR: “Well, 5’8’’, 177 (pounds), (laughing), but I got speed, quickness. I feel that I have great feet and fluid hips. I can have better leverage on taller receivers, but also use my feet against them, too. Moving with my feet, and just turn and run and go cover my guy down.”
PPI: You do play very physical. How do you do that at your size, and how do you control your physicality in order to not get called for penalties?
NR: “Obviously, stay in the weight room. It’s a physical sport. You’ve got to put your hands on people. It’s a grown man league, so you’re going to put your hands on guys at some point and time in the game. When you do that, you got to make sure you’re in the weight room. You got to make sure you’re eating well and sleeping well. All that plays a factor into playing physical on the field. It just doesn’t really come overnight. That’s something that you got to put in your mind and work in the weight room. Those are the things you’ve got to do to be physical.”
PPI: What have you seen out of the defensive backfield players, including Stephon Gilmore, Aaron Williams, Leodis McKelvin, Jumal Rolle and others?
NR: “They are great guys, great guys to play with. They teach me a lot. There’s a lot of things I learn on the fly, they’ll just teach me on the fly. For the most part, they’ll tell me the things to do and the things not to do. I try to apply it to the game and at practice and play against it to the best of my abilities. If not, go look on film and make corrections on whatever needs to be done. but they help me out a lot.”
