RENTON, Wash. -- Those of us interviewing the Seattle Seahawks' Michael Robinson perked up Thursday when the veteran fullback compared one of his rookie teammates to all-world linebacker Patrick Willis.

Robinson sees similarities between Willis, his former teammate with the San Francisco 49ers, and Seahawks second-round draft choice Bobby Wagner.

"I call him a baby Patrick Willis because I hadn't seen a linebacker move like that since Pat," Robinson said.

Wagner has much to learn, of course. Robinson wasn't saying Wagner was already playing at a Pro Bowl level. But he does see great potential.

The back-and-forth went like this once I asked Robinson about Wagner (we were speaking previously of K.J. Wright, another Seahawks linebacker):

Robinson: "Very explosive. He is a guy that can run sideline to sideline. He's learning. He's still a young guy learning how to get off blocks in the National Football League. But he is going to be another special player one day. I call him a baby Patrick Willis because I hadn't seen a linebacker move like that since Pat."

Reporter: "Really?"

Robinson: "I mean, it's the truth. I've been against both of them. He's fast, he's explosive and again, just the way he slips blocks and it seems like he is always going toward the ball. He's not worried about getting blocked. He's learning. Obviously, he is still young. But he definitely has the ability."