Bino to make best of release

“I know I’m going to end up where I belong and things will end up like they’re supposed to.”

That was the final sentence in Ramzee Robinson’s diary that he wrote on Wednesday. It’s still on the Detroit Lions web site. But Robinson is no longer on the Lions’ roster.

Robinson, Mr. Irrelevant XXXII, was released along with 21 other players on Saturday. But the final pick of the NFL draft said he received a call Sunday and took the opportunity to be on Detroit’s practice squad.

“At first, my reaction was that I was extremely disappointed,” Robinson said in a phone interview Sunday. “ I thought I had a great camp and made some great plays. I only got so many opportunities to prepare for each game … I didn’t have a perfect preseason. But I played good enough to be signed on the practice squad. Now any other team can claim me on waivers.”

When Robinson was cut, there were a few teams that contacted him with interest, he said. But he thought it was best to stay in Detroit.

“I’m familiar with the entire staff,” he said. “I know what they expect of me. It’s just that the opportunity to be on the team hasn’t presented itself. Now it’s on me to keep preparing extremely hard for when the team does call on me.”

In late June, Robinson, a former standout out of the University of Alabama, agreed to a three-year contract with the Lions. It was assuredly a high point during Robinson’s experience with the Lions’ training camp.

Before beginning camp with the Lions, Robinson enjoyed the festivities for him as part of Irrelevant Week in Newport Beach and other parts of Orange County.

Though the parties were fun for Robinson, they still proved to be taxing for the NFL hopeful.

For Robinson, the hoopla all started when Paul Salata read his name as the last pick at the NFL Draft.

“It’s been a roller coaster, emotionally and physically,” Robinson said of since he had been drafted. “I had a lot of fun doing all those things [in Orange County].”

Robinson, whose nickname is Bino (it stands for Best Is No. 1), doesn’t really have time to party in Detroit. He said he really hasn’t taken to the city because of his focus on making the team.

“I don’t even have a car yet,” said Robinson, who calls teammates for a ride to practice. “I’m trying to survive. I’m just believing in the Almighty God. It’s been going OK.”

So far so good for Robinson, even though he’ll be on the practice squad. But Robinson didn’t look at the transaction as a total demotion.

He sees it as another opportunity to prove himself.

He plans to use what he learned from his time at training camp with the Lions.

Defensive backs Fernando Bryant and Travis Fisher helped with the learning process.

Well, not so much Bryant.

Robinson described Bryant as, “a very down-to-earth guy,” but the veteran also had the mentality that, “You learn on your own,” Robinson said.

“Travis Fisher has been very influential for me,” Robinson said. “He’s been trying to teach me the ropes.”

For now, Robinson will be trying to use that tutoring as a member of the Lions’ practice squad.