MIAMI GARDENS — Dolphins rookie Chop Robinson knew he had to time his celebration right after dragging down New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye for a sack in Sunday's 34-15 win at Hard Rock Stadium.
Previous iterations of his wood-chopping celebration, such as after his second career sack in Los Angeles on Nov. 11, had taken too long according to referees. His teammates need to gather more quickly and the invisible axes must fall sooner lest the rookie risk a 15-yard excessive celebration penalty.
Robinson, a 21-year-old rookie out of Penn State, is still learning how to execute many things as an edge rusher in the NFL: timing the snap, getting his hands in the air for pass break-ups and winning 1-on-1 matchups against the world's best offensive linemen.
And, of course, his now signature celebration, which fittingly incorporates many of the players whose tutelage is bringing ever-more sacks to fruition.
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"It feels surreal because this is still my first year here," Robinson said of his teammates' support. "Once I go out there and make a play I know everybody is waiting for the celebration. When I see everybody running down the field with me, it's a good feeling and I just want to continue that.
"It's showing now. Everything I've learned from [Bradley] Chubb, [Jaelan Phillips]. I try to take it from the guys who know the game so much and execute."
Calais Campbell to Chop Robinson: 'Don't chase sacks'
Calais Campbell was one of many Dolphins to heap praise on the rookie after Robinson grabbed 1.5 sacks and deflected two passes against the Patriots, the best performance of his brief pro career.
Campbell, 38, is Robinson's opposite in the Dolphins locker room, a 17-year NFL veteran whose consistency and longevity may one day land him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
It's hard to imagine a more ideal "master" under which the Dolphins' "apprentice" could study.
"I'm always trying to give him game and talk to him," Campbell said. "He's such a talented player. He has all the tools to be very, very special, and we need him. He's stepped up at the right time.
"I tell him all the time that he may be a rookie but we need him to play like a vet. He's been doing that the last few weeks and it's been really, really special."
The general theme of Campbell's philosophy is to focus less on sacks and more on winning individual matchups. Robinson's attention during those lectures was clear Sunday as he nabbed the first two pass deflections of his professional career.
"(Zach Sieler) and Calais are always getting pass breakups somehow so I just turned around and put my hands up," Robinson said. "Somehow the ball hit my hands."
Mike McDaniel expects more from Chop Robinson
The Miami Dolphins have had inconsistent returns from their recent first-round picks, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
Jaelan Phillips, Miami's most recent prior to Robinson, has played well when available but suffered season-ending Achilles and knee injuries in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Defensive back Noah Igbinoghene and defensive end Charles Harris produced far less for the Dolphins before they were traded away.
It's part of the reason so many inside the Dolphins organization are encouraged by Robinson's rookie performance and are continuing to pour themselves into his development.
"It's real cool to see a player handle all of the pressure that comes with being that first-round draft pick on a team that needs the rookie class to produce," McDaniel said. "You know just chop wood every day. ... Get some results that weren't just earned this week. It's been earned since the day he was drafted.
"The NFL season is brutal for rookies. So to see him come on and continue to have a bigger effect on NFL games during the period of time where every other football season he's ever played in his life is ending. It speaks to who he is. It speaks to the entire outside linebacker and edge room. Some of the most competitive, relentless players we have on the team that are as invested in each other as anyone."
Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at ejwallace@gannett.com.
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