It is no secret that Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald have the capability of blowing up a game with just one or multiple plays.
That was the case in Dec. 2015 when the Rams played the Detroit Lions.
Donald sacked Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford three times, a career-high, and the Rams went on to win the game 21-14. Donald’s play in that game is fresh in the mind’s of Lions players and Stafford in particular as they prepare for their Week 6 matchup this Sunday at Ford Field in Detroit.
Stafford talked about Donald and what makes him so special, via Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press:
“Much like a lot of their guys on tape, he’s relentless, just plays with a great motor,” Stafford said. “Obviously has great physical tools, great balance inside.
“Just a disruptive player, and that’s kind of how they want to play up front. Everybody they put in there seems to have that similar type of mind-set and attitude, and that’s why they play well as a front.”
Donald, who has been the focus of many offensive lines this season being double and triple teamed on almost every play, jokingly hopes that don’t worry about him on Sunday:
“Tell them I’m just a guy,” Donald said in a conference call with Detroit reporters. “They don’t have to worry about me, man. Tell them leave me alone. Please.”
Donald has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons and after having a career-high 11 sacks last season was named a First Team All-Pro.
While his sack numbers are down this season, as he has just two in five games due to him being double and triple teamed, Donald still has 16 total tackles, a forced fumble and two passes defended so as great players do he is finding other ways to disrupt the game.