I think I know what you mean- so often they get the feet in a line after they jab. Can't punch from there.
Robinson...I see that too. Against guys that were serious about cutting him off, and not afraid of his punches, he spent a lot of time pinned.
The thing that gets at me is how much guys want to punch back and are unable to fight off the ropes, but consistently put themselves in a position where they cannot reach the foe, and are laying on the ropes.