Houston Oilers linebacker Eddie Robinson signed a free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars today. Length and terms of the contract are not disclosed.
The 6-foot-1, 245-pound Robinson has started 57 of 63 games played during four seasons with the Oilers. In 1995, he started all 16 games at left linebacker, making a career-high 72 tackles (48 solo), with one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He had 3.5 sacks in 1995, which was second on the team and more than he had in his three previous seasons combined. He also intercepted one pass and returned it 49 yards for a touchdown November 12 vs. Cincinnati. He started both games against the Jaguars, making seven tackles.
Robinson, 25, has started at both outside linebacker positions. A second-round draft choice in 1992 (the 50th choice overall), Robinson was Houston's only rookie starter that season and one of only four rookie starters at linebacker in the NFL. He was named to the All-Rookie team by College & Pro Football Newsweekly.
A four-year starter at Alabama State, Robinson originally attended college on an academic scholarship. he shifted to linebacker his sophomore year after playing offensive tackle as a freshman. As both a junior and a senior, he was the Defensive Player of the Year in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, first-team all-conference and Associated Press Division I-AA first-team All-America. He attended Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, lettering in football and track.
Robinson is the second player to sign a contract with the Jaguars since the free agency period began two weeks ago. Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Leon Searcy signed with the Jaguars on February 18.
