If Pac-10 admirers are still questioning how its conference's defense would fare against major conferences, day two of the 2006 NFL draft provided a clear-cut answer.
Former ASU linebacker Dale Robinson went undrafted after some projections had him in the fourth round. Robinson, the Pac-10 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, was the Sun Devils' lone bright spot on a defense that allowed 29.9 points per game, but now must resort to free agency if he plans on playing on a higher level.
Robinson has been criticized for his size and lack of speed, a factor that must have been noted after he ran a dismal 4.76 second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.
Another knock on "Manimal" may have been his insistence in playing middle linebacker in the NFL; a position some scouts said does not work with his lack of size.
The Sun Devils allowed 289 yards per game last season, helping support critics claims that the Pac-10 institutes the worst pass defense in the nation. But, now that Robinson will have to test the waters of free agency, it's clear that the NFL may only respect the Pac-10's long ball.
Reach the reporter at james.schmehl@asu.edu.