Amik Robertson has a bet to win with Carlton Davis III and Terrion Arnold

Amik Robertson, Terrion Arnold
Photo credit © Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Terrion Arnold skipped through the locker room Friday afternoon on his way to the weight room, chirping to his fellow cornerbacks about "getting that first pick." A few minutes later, Amik Robertson leaned back in the chair in front of his locker and smiled, "It's gonna be me." Carlton Davis III laughed.

"He's just saying that because he had a pick today in practice," said Davis.

It's gonna be someone, as soon as Sunday against the Titans. While the Lions rank near the top of the NFL in interceptions thanks to safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, who have four apiece, their corners are empty-handed. And rather desperate to get on the board.

"I should’ve had a pick last game," Robertson said. "I was gonna be the one to get the first pick. I had it on one play, misjudged the ball. I know it’s going to come back, so I told ‘em this week, it’s gonna be me. And we all bet it. Whoever gets the first pick, the opposite two have to do 100 push-ups on command."

That doesn't mean after the game, or sometime in the following week. That means, "I'll be on the sideline, 'Man, gimme 25!'" Robertson said. "That’s something I don’t feel like doing, I know they don’t feel like doing, so it’s just going to help us get after the ball, man."

Robertson is still kicking himself for his missed opportunity in the Lions' win over the Vikings last week. On the drive after getting beat for a touchdown by Justin Jefferson -- it happens -- Robertson allowed Sam Darnold to float a ball just over his finger tips to Jailen Nailor for a long gain.

The 5'9 Robertson, who plays in the slot in Detroit's defense, said he made the mistake of turning his hips and backpedaling when he saw Darnold looking Nailor's way -- "I really didn’t think he was gonna throw it, like, ain’t no way" -- when "I should’ve just opened up and ran and used my jumping ability and got it."

"I was more mad about that play than the touchdown because playing DB, it’s an offensive league, that sh*t (the touchdown) is gonna happen. It’s about how you respond. And I could’ve responded on the very next series by picking the ball off, but it slipped through my hands. I’ll make sure I won’t leave no more opportunities out there, because my opportunities don’t come too often," Robertson said.

Robertson has been in coverage on 30 throws this season, per Pro Football Focus, and allowed 20 completions. Davis has allowed 30 completions on 44 targets, Arnold 22 completions on 35 targets. They have three pass breakups each, while allowing a collective passer rating of 102.1. If each of them had a pick, that rating would dip to 90.54.

"I know it’s gonna be me!" Robertson said. "And I think it’s gonna be a jump-ball."

Davis laughed again: "Because it was a jump ball in practice."

Robertson is as spunky as they come, which is part of the reason the Lions targeted him as a free agent in the offseason. He personifies the way Aaron Glenn likes to play defense. As Dan Campbell said this week, "Here's what you love about Amik. You talk about man coverage, he’s going to get up there and challenge. He’s not afraid of anybody and he’s going to compete."

That's how Glenn once played himself. His own 5'9 frame didn't stop him from becoming a three-time Pro Bowl corner over a 15-year career. Robertson sees lots of himself in his defensive coordinator: "It's that short man's syndrome," he said.

"When I talk to AG, I feel it. People thinking we're small, but we're aggressive guys, man. I know a lot of people don’t really see it because ain’t too many plays come my way a lot, but when it’s there, people see the feistiness, the aggressiveness I play with," Robertson said.

"He is scrappy," said Glenn, "and highly competitive."

The push-ups are coming. It's just a matter of when and where, and who gets to flex.

"All of us got the ability to make those plays," Robertson said. "So we harp on it. It's a competitive game, man, but that’s what you want in the room. That elevates the defense. As far as the corners, me, Carlton and T-A, we definitely want to spice it up a little bit and see who gets that first pick."

Featured Image Photo Credit: © Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images