First-round pick Terrion Arnold got his first taste of regular season action last week starting at one of the outside cornerback spots in the Detroit Lions' win over the Los Angeles Rams. Like every first-year player, Arnold learned a lot from that experience he'll take into this week's game against Tampa Bay and beyond.
"I would say the biggest learning point from Week 1 is don't panic," Arnold said this week. "One thing about me is when I'm in position just go and make the play, but at the same time don't get rattled. As a rookie you can see a PI (pass interference), obviously you don't want those things to happen, just staying poised and next play mentality."
Arnold played pretty well in his NFL debut, but there are always teaching points from the game film.
Arnold was thrown at 10 times and gave up eight receptions for 57 yards with two pass interference penalties. That's always a bit of an adjustment for young cornerbacks coming into the NFL. Defenders can be much more physical with receivers in the college game than they can at this level.
"You have to adjust to how the NFL calls these things and this is an offensive league," Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said of Arnold's two interference calls. "We did a lot of work on that this week in practice. He understands the magnitude of how the NFL sees offensive football, so we just have to continue to work on those things. But I will not tell him to slow down and take his aggressiveness away from him."
Arnold gave up a 21-yard completion to Cooper Kupp but other than that it was a lot of short throws that added up to seven completions for 36 yards for an average of just 5.1 yards per catch.
"I would say paying attention to detail and being at the right place," Arnold said of the teaching points from the two penalties called on him. "I felt like that 3rd & 7 I had vs. Cooper Kupp, if it's a good ball, I feel like I make that play. But at the same time, you don't even want to put yourself in that situation like that. It's just having a better understanding of the defense."
Arnold has already shown to be a fast learner in his short time in Detroit, and Glenn knows the rookie will continue to adapt his play to this level and become more and more of a playmaker the more experience he gets.
"Again, we have to make sure that we coach those things out of him. 'Where's your hand placement? Understand where do you want to turn your head in certain situations on the ball?'" Glenn said. "So, I have no issue with that player getting better at that, because I know he will because he's a quick learner and he's a fast learner."
SEWELL BACK AT PRACTICE
It was good to see right tackle Penei Sewell (ankle) back at the open portion of practice Friday after sitting out practice Wednesday and Thursday.
While that's obviously a step in the right direction for his availability Sunday against the Bucs, Lions head coach Dan Campbell wasn't ready to check that box just yet.
"Not sure yet, we'll see," he said Friday.
Not taking part in the open portion of practice Friday were edge rusher Marcus Davenport (groin), safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle) and wide receiver Isaiah Williams (abdomen). We'll see what their official status is when injury report and game designations are released Friday afternoon.
READER GIVES LIONS VERSATILITY
Veteran defensive lineman DJ Reader is set to make his Lions debut this week and his presence inside will not only be a big boost for the Lions against the run and pass, but with Davenport's uncertain game status for Sunday, Reader's return also gives the Lions' front some versatility and options.
"Him coming back now really opens up a little more versatility that we have at the D-line because really, between (Kyle) Peko, and (Alim McNeill) Mac, Levi (Onwuzurike) and (Josh) Paschal, they can all play anywhere from the nose, three-technique, to the big end," Campbell said. "So, they're all going to share that load a little bit if Davenport couldn't – or, is not going to be able to go."
ESTABLISHING THE RUN
The lowest rushing total in a game for the Lions last year came Week 6 against the Bucs when they had just 40 yards on the ground. The Lions went into that contest with a plan to throw the football, and they expected that plan to get the win in Tampa Bay, but Campbell said they will try to establish the run better this time around vs. the Bucs.
"Now, last time we played them, we came out of the game with 15 runs and yeah, we won, but that's not near enough," Campbell said. "We've got to find a way to establish the run this game, we have to. So, we've got to lean on the run game."
In the playoff game against the Bucs, Detroit did a better job, running for 114 yards on 26 carries (4.4 avg.). Detroit averaged 5.3 yards per rush last week in the win over the Rams on 163 total rushing yards and 31 attempts.
