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49ers have message for Rashard Robinson: Get stronger

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Santa Clara – The 49ers are tied with the Browns with 58 penalties each. And many of those center around cornerback Rashard Robinson, who has been called for eight overall.

Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has an unconventional remedy for Robinson – increase your upper body strength.

“When (a receiver and defensive back) get to the top of the route there’s jostling, there’s pushing, there’s shoving,” Saleh said. “It’s just natural for it to happen on every single play. His personal strength, we’d love to see that improve.”

Saleh said Robinson needs strength to be more subtle when he’s jostling with receivers down the field.

“When it looks violent the referee just can’t help but throw a flag on him,” Saleh said. “Even though he may not be fouling. It just looks like there’s a big struggle going (on) …”

Robinson has a wiry, long frame and he’s blindingly fast. However, he’s only in his second season as a starter and he didn’t log a lot of playing time at LSU. Consequently, it makes sense that he would need to increase his strength.

“I don’t feel like that, but it can take a toll on you,” Robinson said. He believes it’s more about technique than strength.

It goes back to fundamentals,” he said. “If I am to stay on top of a receiver and cut a receiver off … I think that will minimize a lot of the problems.”

Robinson nevertheless, said he got stronger last year and has so far this season.

“You just got to continue to work, and grind at it every day,” Robinson said.