After the Detroit Lions signed cornerback Amik Robertson, Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports came away from a conversation with Levi Damien of Raiders Wire thinking the Lions had their new C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
In response to a tweet suggesting the Lions' additions of Carlton Davis and himself was not enough to contain the depth of wide receiver talent in the NFC North, Robertson showed a little bit of that attitude (slightly NSFW).
I’ll Strap All That Shi .. Na Go Run & Tell Em https://t.co/LduZvufnzX
— Amik Robertson (@_YoungTruth7) March 16, 2024
Despite being just 5-foot-8, Robertson played the majority of his snaps as an outside corner for the Las Vegas Raiders last season and in 2022 he played more on the outside than in the slot as he stepped into a prominent role in the Raiders' defense. His broader skill set says he should not be pigeonholed as a slot corner based on being smaller.
Robertson spoke to Lions reporters via a Zoom call on Monday. He was asked about what made the Lions a desirable destination for him, and he used (accidentally or not) one of Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes' buzz words (via SI.com).
"The swagger. The grit, the energy," Robertson said. "I thought the defense played, most importantly, with the swagger and energy that Coach Dan (Campbell), how he coaches. That's what you look for in the coaching."
Amik Robertson talks about what he brings to the table for the Lions
Via Lions.com, Robertson talked about how something his college coach at Louisiana Tech told him, and how it informs his playing style.
"I remember my coach at Louisiana Tech he told me you don't get your name in the paper for getting PBUs, you get your name in the paper for catching picks."
Robertson had four interceptions and 15 pass breakups over the last two seasons with the Raiders. One way or the other, that kind of ball production will be very welcome in the Lions' secondary, and he what he lacks in height he more than makes up for with his projected confidence.
"That's what's got me here and that's what's keeping me here in this league," Robertson said of the swagger he plays with on the field. "You know 5-8 coming from Louisiana Tech. Come on, man, it's not easy. But being a confident guy and playing with that swagger and playing with that energy that's what got me here. That can be contagious."
5'8 Amik Robertson on how he succeeds at outside corner: "God has blessed me with a lot of abilities. Unfortunately he didn’t bless me with the height -- whatever, whatever (lol). You gotta put your pads on with swagger. That’s just who I am."
— Will Burchfield (@burchie_kid) March 18, 2024
Robertson also made it clear he wants to "earn it", and he will of course have to. But if he can play at a high level and bring a little bit of swagger to the Lions' secondary, the move to sign him won't be overlooked at all when the 2024 season gets going.