In every of his first three video games as an NFL cornerback, Terrion Arnold has been penalized for move interference. In his first sport, he drew two flags.
But Detroit defensive-backs coach Deshea Townsend stated Arnold has made a powerful begin after becoming a member of the Lions because the twenty fourth choice within the NFL Draft on April 25.
“It’s been great,” Townsend said. “I look back to my rookie year and his year, I would take his over mine, I know that, so he’s been doing a great job. …
“He’s confident. He’s great. He comes to work every day, has a smile on his face, never has a bad day. And that’s what you want.”
Like Arnold, Townsend entered the NFL from Alabama. A fourth-round choose of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1998, Townsend performed 13 NFL seasons. With 191 regular-season and 14 playoff video games as a cornerback on his NFL ledger, Townsend doesn’t see the pass-interference penalties as a giant drawback.
“That’s the thing of the league: If you’re a DB and you play, you’ve had at least one PI called on you,” Townsend said, “so that’s just the nature of the business, and he just has to keep playing. And that’s the one thing that we have to continue to do is not worry about the penalties and just go play.
“I always kind of joke around and tell them they can’t call 60 PIs, so keep being close. And that’s what we want. He’s been close in a lot of coverages, and that’s the main thing. We want to continue to work on those little things and being close in coverage and keep being technique-sound.”
Arnold is among the many 19 defensive backs coached by Nick Saban at Alabama who're at present on NFL rosters, together with Detroit teammate Brian Branch. Townsend stated even with that background, there may be an adjustment to the NFL that rookie defensive backs have to make.
“The footwork part is pretty much going to be consistent,” Townsend said. “It’s just the hands part that’s a lot different in the league. You know, you got to really learn to win with your eyes and your feet and continue to have that mindset that your man’s not going to catch it.
“I think the most important part is the mental makeup. If you have the right mental makeup and you’re playing man, you’re going to be all right.”
The Lions play the Seattle Seahawks at 7:15 p.m. CDT Monday at Ford Field in Detroit. ABC will televise the sport.
The Seahawks are searching for to hitch the Kansas City Chiefs and the Minnesota Vikings because the NFL’s undefeated groups 4 weeks into the 2024 season.
Two-time Pro Bowler DK Metcalf leads Seattle with 17 receptions for 262 yards and two touchdowns.
“Man, you got DK Metcalf for one and you got a really good group of receivers that you have to face, and they throw the ball,” Townsend said of the Seahawks. “They do a good job of having a really good back and running it, but they still can spread you out and push the ball vertically, and that’s always the challenge when you get a group like this. And they’re coming here at 3-0. They’ve been doing a good job of putting the ball in the air, making explosive plays, and that’s what we have to stop.”
So far in his NFL profession, Arnold’s opponents have included Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams, Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Marvin Harrison of the Arizona Cardinals. The Lions received’t be hesitant to match Arnold with Metcalf when known as for, Townsend stated.
“That’s why he’s here,” Townsend said. “You saw that ability, and that’s why we went and got him. And he’s going to be a really good, really good player in his league for a long time.”
According to profootballreference.com stats, the receiver coated by Arnold has been focused 21 instances (not counting the penalty performs). He has allowed 13 completions for 146 yards and one landing.
In his NFL debut, Arnold allowed eight completions on 10 throws for 68 yards and one landing within the Lions’ 26-20 victory over the Rams on Sept. 8. In his most up-to-date sport, Arnold allowed three completions on 9 targets for 47 yards and bought his fingers on two passes in Detroit’s 20-13 victory over the Cardinals on Sept. 22.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports activities reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
