JACKSONVILLE – Denard Robinson wasn't thrilled.
Even as he was being lauded Sunday, and even after many in the media were discussing, tweeting and writing what may have been the second-year running back's best play of 2014 training camp, Robinson's mind was elsewhere.
That's because as far as Robinson was concerned, the twisting, diving catch he made early in practice on Day Three of training camp ended when the play ended.
Robinson was more concerned with a play that came later.
That's when Robinson dropped what he considered a very catchable pass across the middle, and that's something he said he can't tolerate.
"I'm probably my own worst critic," he said.
That's certainly true around 2014 Jaguars camp, because the consensus is not only that Robinson has improved from last season, but that he is closer to being the dynamic playmaker the Jaguars envisioned when they selected him in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Robinson, a quarterback at the University of Michigan, played multiple positions as a rookie but never appeared comfortable, and struggled with the lingering effects of a nerve injury to his elbow that limited movement in his fingers.
That situation has improved, and Robinson has looked and felt more comfortable during camp this week. He has added weight in an effort to play a larger role as a reserve running back, and he has been efficient in training camp and the offseason as a receiver out of the backfield.
Denard Robinson with a really nice diving catch. Hands much better this year. #JagsCamp — J.P. Shadrick (@jpshadrick) July 27, 2014
That showed Sunday when he ran a route 20 yards downfield. The ball was thrown a bit behind Robinson, but he leaped and made a back-shoulder reception for one of his better catches since joining the Jaguars. Teammates cheered and congratulated him.
"A lot of guys were like, 'Yeah, you're doing it,' and so were the coaches," Robinson said. "But I can't digress. I have to work on things. I missed one today, but I've got to look at it like, 'I made a good one, but I've got to come back and make that easy one.'"
Robinson said while he likely couldn't have made a similar play to his spectacular catch last season, making the routine play is more important. And while Robinson has been significantly more consistent during this training camp compared to last year's, he said he must keep improving in that area.
"I want to be hard on myself and push myself," Robinson said. "I've got to be honest with myself every day when I look in the mirror. I write down my goals every day and I didn't accomplish them because I dropped the ball."
LOOKING ON . . .
*Scuffles and skirmishes set the tone for Jaguars Training Camp Day Three, with pushing and shoving occurring on three occasions in Sunday's practice. Most notable was the altercation between tight end Clay Harbor and defensive tackle Tyson Alualu, which ended when Alualu pulled Harbor's helmet off, sending it scuttling toward a few media members on the sideline. "I didn't think it was that big of a deal until everybody started talking about it," Alualu said. "Those things happen in football.''…
*Bradley said he is pleased with the first three days of camp. He said while you expect good energy and effort early, the team responded well to Sunday's first day in shoulder pads. "There hasn't been any drop," he said. "Guys are challenging one another. It's been consistent throughout. We've never had to stop and say 'Okay, let's talk about this.' It hasn't even come close to that. I think it provides an atmosphere where we have a chance to really improve in that race we've been talking about." …
*Attendance for Jaguars 2014 Training Camp Day Three was 1,279, bringing the three-day total at the Florida Blue Practice Fields to 5,064. …
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BRADLEY SAYS
"We talked about the difference between a million-dollar move and a ten-cent finish. We're looking for guys that can finish. We want that million-dollar move and million-dollar finish and we're starting to see it take place on the field."
--- Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley
SEXTON SAYS
A daily training camp thought from Jaguars.com Senior Correspondent Brian Sexton …
"I thought the video board (unveiling) was a great example of Shad (Khan) and Mark (Lamping) talking the talk and walking the walk. People have talked about this team and this town and London. Is Shad serious about Jacksonville? Saturday night was an explosive example of just how serious they are. For me personally, I no longer have to explain to people this team is staying. Those boards said it in a way that words never could."
The Jacksonville Jaguars concluded their first weekend practices of 2014 Training Camp.
LAGS SAYS
A daily training camp thought from Jaguars Radio Analyst Jeff Lageman …
"(The defense is) better because there are more veterans. There are guys who have been there and done that. They know the scheme and they've proven they can do it, so on paper right away they're better – no doubt. There are question marks, but not as many."
