As good as Aaron Donald has been the last two seasons, his first three games each year have been underwhelming. He has just one sack and three tackles for loss combined in the first three games of the last two seasons, yet he still went on to win Defensive Player of the Year both times.
It’s probably not a coincidence that he skipped training camp in each of the last two years, but he’s hoping the extra practice this time around will lead to a hotter start. After going through OTAs and attending training camp, Donald should be in for a better beginning to the season.
“Being here and getting myself in football shape and working my moves, hopefully it won’t take me four games to get going this year,” Donald said Sunday. “I think it’s going to be a plus for me getting here, getting going right away. If anything, I should be better.”
Aaron Donald, better than he has been the last two years? That’s a frightening thought … for opponents, at least. He led the NFL with 20.5 sacks last season and that was after bagging zero in the first three weeks.
Donald is one of the most important players on the Patriots roster, so the Rams are going to be smart about his workload. He’s probably not going to practice every day or step foot on the field for a preseason game as Los Angeles tries to keep him healthy for the entire season.
“We’re still talking, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to work,” Donald said of the Rams’ plan for him. “But they want to make sure that I’m still fresh and I’m healthy. That’s the main goal. It’s to get all the great work you want to get, but at the same time make sure your body is still fresh so that come game time you’re ready to go. I’m pretty sure we have a nice game plan. We’ll see what’s going to go on. I’m going to trust the process and hopefully my body stays healthy.”
Until he’s told to stand on the sideline and take time off, Donald is going to go full speed. He said he’s not taking it easy on his teammates, nor is he putting in less effort so that he doesn’t wear down.
Donald is someone without an “off” switch on his body, so expect to see him wreaking havoc often during camp and pre-season practices.
