There is no substitute for experience in this league and that's something Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold got plenty of this season as a rookie.
Arnold ended up starting in 16 of the 17 games he played in, including the playoffs, recording over 1,000 snaps and 699 coverage reps.
Arnold had some penalty issues early in the year, but mostly moved past those as the season went along. He ended up being targeted 90 times by opposing quarterbacks and allowing 50 completions (55.6 percent) with just four touchdowns allowed all season.
"I learned a lot," Arnold said of his rookie season during locker clean out day on Sunday. "I feel like coming into this role it was a lot. I got better as the season went on. Started to find myself. It's just one of those things where really looking forward to next year."
The Lions certainly didn't use kid gloves with Arnold after using their first-round pick on the rookie out of Alabama this past offseason. He was a starter opposite veteran Carlton Davis III to begin training camp and never relinquished the role.
He had his ups-and-downs as most rookies usually do, especially early on. He was flagged for seven pass interference penalties and three defensive holding this season, but seven of those came in the first month of the season. As his technique and comfort level improved as the season progressed, so did Arnold's overall play.
"At the beginning of the season with the PI's (pass interference penalties), it wasn't a matter of if I was beat. It was a matter of just turning your head and locating the ball," he said. "Those are things you can fix. It was never a talent thing as far as lining up and someone was better than me. It was just things from my inexperience not seeing. But the only way to get better and gain experience is by being out there."
Arnold was afforded the experience and he's certainly not lacking any confidence going into his second season.
"It was nothing but experience," he said of his rookie season. "A lot of teams sit back and play zone, and I had to go out there and challenge receiver one's and I'm young. I know I'll be the best corner in the league pretty soon."
Detroit has some decisions to make at cornerback with the veteran Davis being a free agent this offseason, but no matter what they decide to do with Davis, the Lions will certainly be counting on Arnold to take the next step in Year 2 and be a big-time performer for this defense.
"Looking forward to playing again. That's all I think about," Arnold said. "When I woke up this morning I said, 'Can't believe it's over.' But the only way to ease pain and this kind of heartache is to get back to the drawing board and get back to work."
