North Carolina State University Athletics
Haynes' World: Robinson and Rivers Were A Dynamic Duo
1/4/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Tony Haynes
Now that Koren Robinson has decided to skip his final two years of eligibility and enter the NFL Draft, we can only dream of what it would have been like had he chosen to stay. We're left to wonder what kind of numbers the tandem of Robinson and quarterback Philip Rivers could have produced. Based on what we saw this past season, the Robinson & Rivers combination might have etched its place among the great duos of our lifetime.My 'A' list of favorite twosomes include Abbott & Costello, Sinatra & Riddle, Mantle & Maris, Ausley & Dornburg, Burns & Allen, Huntley & Brinkley, Batman & Robin, Sonny & Cher, Madden & Summerall, and Montana & Rice.
I believe that Robinson & Rivers would have had 'A' list potential, and the R&R boys certainly would have overshadowed many of the dreadful duos on the 'B' list. The 'B' list is headed up by The Captain and Tennille. A Rivers to Robinson touchdown pass is clearly more pleasing than the sounds of "Muskrat Love."
Robinson and Rivers are certainly nicer people than Bonnie and Clyde. The last time I checked, robbing banks wasn't really a cool thing to do.
I think it's also safe to say that Robinson & Rivers would have run a more effective campaign than did Gore and Lieberman. Those two managed to lose despite having world peace and strong economic prosperity on their side.
I've never really gotten a chance to joke around with the R&R boys very much, but I'm sure their comedic talents were on par with what the Smothers Brothers and Rowen & Martin gave us.
Hahn and Haynes? Now that is funny.
And we shouldn't even insult Robinson and Rivers by putting them in the same sentence with Regis and Kathie Lee.
We'll just have to be content with having seen the Rivers to Robinson combination work for 12 games. How entertaining it was to watch opposing defenses make the mistake of walking a safety up and locking their cornerbacks in man-to-man coverage. Each time, Rivers would look at Robinson, Robinson would glance back to Rivers, and we all knew what was coming next: Rivers would take three steps back, fling the football high in the air and wait for Robinson to run under it.
And although the scene was repeated over and over again, we never got tired of watching it.
Buckey & Buckey, Thompson & Burleson, Lowe & Whittenburg, and Barnette & Holt are among NC State's most famous twosomes. And though they only played together for only one year, Robinson & Rivers have probably earned a spot on that list.
But with two more years together, they very well might have created a league of their own.
