Todd Rosenberg/Getty ImagesDetroit Lions first-round pick Terrion Arnold is feeling confident in his first days of practice.
The 2024 No. 24 pick will sport No. 0 for the Lions during his rookie season, becoming just the third player in franchise history to wear the number. When asked about his decision to choose the number, Arnold said it was because “ain’t nobody like me,” per Eric Woodyard of ESPN.
He later expanded on the statement, saying that “me” in the statement also refers to the Lions secondary as a whole and that he is confident that the unit will show vast improvement in 2024.
“When I say it ain’t nobody like me, it’s talking about the secondary,” Arnold said, per Woodyard. “Obviously, last year in this secondary, we had ups and downs, but we’re going to be exciting, we’re going to be dynamic, we’re going to play fast and it ain’t going to be nobody like us.
“So, when I say it ain’t nobody like me, it ain’t nobody like me.”
The Lions had a sensational season in 2023, going 12-5, winning the NFC North and reaching the NFC Championship. This was the first time the Lions had made the postseason since 2016, won a playoff game since 1991 and it was the first time the franchise had won the NFC North since the division was formed in 2002.
Still, that doesn’t mean that everything was perfect. The secondary was a noted weakness, as the unit allowed 34 completions of at least 20 yards downfield and also 28 passing touchdowns. The defense as a whole ranked 27th in passing yards allowed.
Arnold, as well as second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw Jr, should pay a large role in improving this. Arnold registered 63 tackles and five interceptions in 2023 for the Alabama Crimson Tide, helping the team reach the College Football Playoff and win an SEC Championship. He was also named a first-team All-American for his efforts.
While he still has lots of time before he takes the gridiron in the NFL, his early sense of confidence could be something for Lions fans to be excited about.
Source : Bleacher Report