Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald aims to cross up the Lions’ defense. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald will not chase or hit Jared Goff until Sunday night, when the Rams play the Detroit Lions in an NFC wild-card game at Ford Field.
But Donald, a three-time NFL defensive player of the year, already sent his former Rams teammate a message.
Donald said Thursday that he texted Goff this week.
“I just told him I was proud of him,” Donald said, “You know, obviously, with what they’ve been accomplishing and what he’s been doing.
“I said I’d see him Sunday night. He said, ‘I appreciate you, brother. I’ll see you Sunday night. It’s going to be fun.’ ”
Read more: For Jared Goff, Rams-Lions game about more than himself. ‘I want to be a part of this win’
Donald, of course, would like to make life miserable for Goff during the Lions’ first home playoff game in 30 years.
The Lions earned the No. 3 seed in the NFC by finishing with a 12-5 record and winning the NFC North.
Goff, jettisoned by the Rams in 2021 in a trade for quarterback Matthew Stafford, has led the Lions with outstanding play under coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
Goff has passed for 30 touchdowns, with 12 interceptions, in an offense that ranks second in passing and fifth in rushing and scoring.
Donald and Goff were teammates for five seasons. They made the playoffs three times, including a run to Super Bowl LIII to end the 2018 season.
Read more: ‘The Spirit of Detroit’ transformed Matthew Stafford into an idol in the Motor City
So Donald knows Goff’s strengths and weaknesses.
“You know some things he did good, some things that make him feel uncomfortable,” Donald said.
Goff, Donald said, has grown in his understanding of the game since he played for the Rams but the 6-foot-4, 217-pound Goff remains mainly a pocket passer.
“We know he’s not the most mobile guy,” said Donald, who has eight sacks, “but when he’s got…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-aaron-donald-vs-lions-014517641.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-01-12 01:45:17
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