Justin Blackmon's rookie season has been underwhelming to say the least, and the Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver now is answering questions about his effort.
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CBS announcers speculated Sunday during the Jaguars' 24-15 loss to the Green Bay Packers that Blackmon didn't run at full speed on every route.
"I don't pay any attention to it," Blackmon said, via The Associated Press. "It doesn't bother me. I was out there playing. I mean, I'm not going to go out there and play 50 percent."
Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey heard the criticism and re-watched that part of the game to form his own opinion.
"I don't see evidence of that," the coach said. "I was looking for it because that's not acceptable. I don't like to hear it from anybody. I certainly don't want to hear it from the weatherman during his hurricane report."
Random forced allusions to meteorological phenomenons aside, it strikes us as curious that Mularkey was intrigued enough by the criticism to investigate. Blackmon has 18 catches this season ... or the same number of receptions Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten amassed in four quarters Sunday against the New York Giants.
Perhaps the Jaguars are looking for answers as to why Blackmon hasn't been the playmaker they expected when they made him the No. 5 overall draft pick.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @danhanzus.
