The Brian Robiskie experiment is over. Even though the writing was on the wall for several reasons, it still took me by surprise when I heard that the third-year receiver had been waived to make room for running back Thomas Clayton on the roster. There's always a slim chance the team could bring him back if and when Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty are both healthy again, but I doubt it will happen.
The big issue for Robiskie in his first two seasons in the NFL was that he seemed to have trouble getting separation. It was especially a problem for him this year. Despite being a "starting receiver" and the switch to the West Coast Offense (something that was believed to be a better fit for him), he went without a catch over the first three weeks. On the season, he only had 3 catches for 25 yards. When Mohamed Massaquoi was out of this past Sunday's game, head coach Pat Shurmur opted to play Jordan Norwood and Carlton Mitchell instead of Robiskie. Norwood had more production in one game than Robiskie had all season.
I'm sad that Robiskie, a player with local ties, was not able to be more of a breakout player. I can't complain with the coaching staff's decision though, and it is no secret that fans had been calling for the likes of Norwood and Mitchell for weeks now. We'll see if Robiskie gets claimed by any other NFL team, such as the Atlanta Falcons, where his father, Terry, is the wide receivers coach.