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  6. article_body => "<p>Highlight reels posted to social media are an easily-sharable way&nbsp;to get excited about a player in mid-March, when the first games of the 2018 NFL season are still nearly half a year away. But a different, and maybe better,&nbsp;way to judge a player is by how he practices:&nbsp;That influences not only what he can put on those highlight reels, but how he\u2019s perceived&nbsp;and accepted by his coaches and teammates.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Prince Amukamara had a first-hand look at Allen Robinson\u2019s practice habits in 2016, when the two were teammates with the Jacksonville Jaguars. And the Bears\u2019 cornerback, who inked a three-year deal on Wednesday, came away impressed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAllen Robinson was a nightmare in practice, and I say that in the best way possible,\u201d Amukamara said. \"He\u2019s very, very competitive. If he makes a play, he\u2019s going to let you know it, and he just works extremely hard.\"<\/p>\n<p>What makes Robinson such a difficult matchup, Amukamara explained, is his elite athleticism to pair with his 6-foot-3, 220 pound frame. Even if a cornerback feels like he\u2019s covering Robinson well, he can go up and get passes with a large catch radius that can\u2019t be defended.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>And even more promising, as Amukamara sees it, is Robinson\u2019s youth and his potential for growth. That 2016 season was a \u201cdown\u201d year, as it compared to Robinson\u2019s 1,400-yard, 14-touchdown 2015 season, with 73 catches for 883 yards and six touchdowns. But Amukamara sees a higher ceiling for Robinson, and said he\u2019s an ideal fit for the Bears\u2019 offense.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s so raw, he\u2019s super young and I think he\u2019s definitely what this team needs,\u201d Amukamara said. \u201cHe\u2019s a big-play guy. Not too long ago, he was one of the leaders in touchdowns and yards in this league and I know he\u2019s excited to get back to that.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n"
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Bears

Bears

Highlight reels posted to social media are an easily-sharable way to get excited about a player in mid-March, when the first games of the 2018 NFL season are still nearly half a year away. But a different, and maybe better, way to judge a player is by how he practices: That influences not only what he can put on those highlight reels, but how he’s perceived and accepted by his coaches and teammates. 

Prince Amukamara had a first-hand look at Allen Robinson’s practice habits in 2016, when the two were teammates with the Jacksonville Jaguars. And the Bears’ cornerback, who inked a three-year deal on Wednesday, came away impressed. 

“Allen Robinson was a nightmare in practice, and I say that in the best way possible,” Amukamara said. "He’s very, very competitive. If he makes a play, he’s going to let you know it, and he just works extremely hard."

What makes Robinson such a difficult matchup, Amukamara explained, is his elite athleticism to pair with his 6-foot-3, 220 pound frame. Even if a cornerback feels like he’s covering Robinson well, he can go up and get passes with a large catch radius that can’t be defended. 

And even more promising, as Amukamara sees it, is Robinson’s youth and his potential for growth. That 2016 season was a “down” year, as it compared to Robinson’s 1,400-yard, 14-touchdown 2015 season, with 73 catches for 883 yards and six touchdowns. But Amukamara sees a higher ceiling for Robinson, and said he’s an ideal fit for the Bears’ offense. 

 

“He’s so raw, he’s super young and I think he’s definitely what this team needs,” Amukamara said. “He’s a big-play guy. Not too long ago, he was one of the leaders in touchdowns and yards in this league and I know he’s excited to get back to that.”