CHARLOTTE - The first thing that a new observer to Panthers practices notices about second-year wide receiver Ryne Robinson is his vertical jump.
It has been officially measured at 35 inches. But it seems all the more impressive in person, and Robinson never passes up an opportunity to display it, whether it's in a playful leap and spike of the football following a position drill to a midfield leap for an errant pass.
In the regular season, such a majestic jump would be tinged by the threat of danger in the form of an opposing safety. In a no-pads practice, however, his soaring can be appreciated, making him look as much like a gymnast as a football player.
Day after day at summer school, Robinson snared the footballs tossed in his direction. Some of these catches were routine. Others were borderline spectacular. Yet such work is no big deal to Robinson. Going up to grab a football is second nature.
"I think that catching the ball is something that you learn at an early age," he said. "I'm just starting to get the opportunity to do that here and show what I can do."
That opportunity takes on a different tenor this season. After working almost exclusively as a kickoff and punt returner as a rookie, Robinson's goal is to work his way into more playing time on offense.
Robinson finished his rookie season with a 23.0-yard average on kickoff returns and an 8.7-yard average on punt runbacks. Nevertheless, he pined for the opportunity for more offensive action, all the while accepting the reality that becoming a starting NFL receiver almost always requires a lengthy apprenticeship.
"I played all last year at punt and kick returner and I think that receiver is definitely the spot I want to go after," he said. "I've just got to wait my turn and wait for my time to come just the same as Steve (Smith) and the rest of the guys who came into this League have done."
Patience could remain virtuous for Robinson, given the fact that Carolina's receiving depth chart is populated with both potential and proven performers.
"Coming into this year, I'm playing behind Steve Smith, Muhsin Muhammad, D.J. Hackett and possibly Dwayne Jarrett," Robinson said. "I think it's motivation for me to step my game up and learn as much as I can. Hopefully, I will be playing on offense very soon."
Even if Robinson is not, he already knows he can grow by absorbing tips and techniques from those around him.
"Smitty's definitely a guy who teaches a lot," Robinson said. "You ask him one question and you get a broad range of answers. He covers all the subjects and all the possible scenarios you can have coming up for that situation. Moose, I wasn't around him last year, but (his return) lets me meet somebody new, and he brings a new aspect to the game because he plays the middle more than Smitty does."
And the more Robinson gathers from both, the better his chances of making the leap into a more prominent
