Lions’ Terrion Arnold to put on No. 0 as a result of ‘ain’t no person like me’

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Terrion Arnold was all smiles as he arrived on the Detroit Lions’ apply facility on Friday for his first day of rookie minicamp sporting No. 0.

The Lions’ first-round decide stated he selected the quantity as a result of “ain’t no person like me.”

Arnold, a cornerback, is simply the third participant in franchise historical past to pick No. 0, becoming a member of FB Johnny Olszewski (1961) and WR Marvin Jones Jr. (2023).

“After I say it ain’t no person like me, it is speaking concerning the secondary,” stated Arnold, the twenty fourth total select of Alabama. “Clearly, final 12 months on this secondary, we had ups and downs, however we will be thrilling, we will be dynamic, we will play quick and it ain’t going to be no person like us.

“So, once I say it ain’t no person like me, it ain’t no person like me.”

Regardless of reaching the NFC Championship for the primary time because the 1991 season, Detroit’s protection allowed 34 completions thrown not less than 20 yards downfield, which tied with the Houston Texans for the second most within the league, behind the Cincinnati Bengals (35).

Detroit’s protection additionally allowed 28 passing TDs final 12 months, which was sixth worst within the league, and Arnold stated he needs to assist repair these points instantly.

He joins second-round draft decide Ennis Rakestraw Jr. — who was additionally at rookie minicamp — in addition to veterans Carlton Davis and Amik Robertson as new CB additions for the Lions.

Arnold, a 2023 first-team AP All-American, tied for essentially the most interceptions (5) and go breakups (12) within the SEC final season whereas permitting only one completion on 14 makes an attempt on passes thrown 20+ yards.

Nevertheless, Lions assistant common supervisor Ray Agnew says he’ll need to earn his spot, like all the different gamers, after they loaded up on the cornerback place this offseason.

“I am positive Rakestraw thinks he is higher and Terrion thinks he is higher so they will compete, which is a good factor for us. We wish competitiveness,” Agnew stated. “We do not need guys that bow all the way down to individuals. We wish guys to compete and assume they will win the spot. I believe each of these guys assume they are going to begin, they usually’ve obtained their work reduce out for them.”

By choosing Arnold and Rakestraw, it marked the primary time within the frequent draft period that the Lions have picked a defensive again with every of their first two picks. Throughout rookie minicamp, the teammates embraced one another, even becoming a member of one another’s media scrums the place they requested questions.

“Completely satisfied to be on the market with these guys, all people operating full velocity. We made errors at this time, however we will be higher,” Rakestraw Jr. stated.

Arnold stated his aim in Detroit is to win a Tremendous Bowl, a lot in order that if his mother was on the sphere lining up in opposition to him as a receiver, he “would jam her into the filth” as a result of he needs to win that dangerous.

“I am going to always remember one time my mother kicked my tooth out as a result of we was simply going at it so laborious, so if my mother was out right here proper now and she or he lined up throughout me as a receiver, I’d jam her into the filth,” Arnold stated, whereas describing his competitiveness. “That is my mindset, and my mother is aware of that proper now. I simply imply it within the easy facet of like football-wise, that is simply the best way that I believe and the best way that I used to be introduced up.”