(Photo: Fox News)
I’ll always have an allegiance to the defensive side of the ball. I’m old school and will forever live by the old saying that offense does win games, but defense will still win championships. The Detroit Lions are far removed from being the laughingstock of the NFL. That title officially belongs to the Cleveland Browns until further notice. I’ve loved how they have built this team into the contender they are today. You need that core group of players and they have three in Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, and a standout Defensive End who played his college ball at the big house for the Michigan Wolverines. In their dominant win against the Dallas Cowboys, Aidan suffered what appeared to be a gruesome leg injury. After I saw the replay, it reminded me so much of Dak Prescott’s unfortunate injury in 2020. He suffered a fractured fibula and tibia in which he had surgery to fix the leg. There’s no timetable for his return to the field.
I loved watching him with Michigan during his college days. I remember the 2021 season in which he was invited to New York City as a Heisman candidate. He ended up being the runner-up behind Bryce Young who won it that year. Aidan decided to go pro and was selected second overall by the Detroit Lions in 2022. He has everything you could ever want and ask for in an EDGE guy. He’s more than explosive and has the electric motor and his release off the snap is one of the quickest in the league. Not only does the motor stand out, Aidan is extremely twitchy with one of the quickest spin moves and the crazy thing is, you know it’s coming and you still don’t have an answer for it. Pass rushers today have their go-to move to bolster themselves into the backfield. Dwight Freeney had the epic spin move and look where that got him. Canton, Ohio. Some can just use all their strength and drive you until you’re in the Quarterback’s pocket. Aidan however has a few moves in his arsenal that he uses to his advantage. He has it all from power to finesse and when you have the speed he does in his back pocket, he knows he has an edge on whoever is blocking him. Even against the run, he’s a read-and-react type of guy meaning he will scan the play out, then pursue the ball. Against the pass, it’s not just pursuing the Quarterback as Aidan has the range to drop back in coverage and will even come away with an interception if he’s in the right spot. It’s the ability to drop back, play the run, and rush the passer from either the edge or the middle that can dismantle opposing offenses. He will live in your backfield if you can’t attempt to limit him.
This is a huge loss for the Detroit Lions. Not only is Aidan their best defensive player, but he’s also the heart and soul of this entire football team. In a short period, he’s become one of the elite defensive players in this league and what’s crazy is he’s yet to scratch the surface or hit his prime. He’s still young and has all the time in the world to get even better. I did see rumors of him potentially coming back, but if I were the Lions, I’d have him sit for the rest of the year and not risk the possibility of reinjuring himself if he were to come back. Injuries are the worst part of our game, unfortunately. I wish Aidan a speedy recovery and can’t wait to see him back on the field.
