5 questions with Alim McNeill of the Lions: preparing for night games and stopping the Rams
ALLEN PARK It makes sense that Alim McNeill is a difficult person to catch up with this week. As the Detroit Lions prepare for their wild card game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, everything has been business as usual in the locker room. McNeill is among the many players on the Lions roster who haven’t experienced the NFL playoff atmosphere, as noted by Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Ceedy Duce) this week.
McNeill, who had been sidelined for the previous four games due to a knee injury, made his return to action in the Lions’ regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings. He participated in thirty plays, or 41% of the total, and recorded a tackle and a quarterback hit on Nick Mullens of Minnesota.
McNeill is an essential component of the Lions’ pass rush and run-stopping strategies. He ranks second on the team in pressure rate, only behind Aidan Hutchinson. McNeill will need to have one of his best games ever if the Lions are to have any chance of slowing down the Rams offense, which is led by former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Since that’s the most significant game in his life right now, that is, quite simply, the main focus. The third-year standout player was on our radar, so after practice on Friday, MLive was finally able to speak with McNeill for this week’s weekly rapid-fire question segment.
But rather than asking any of the incredibly random questions that Lions players are typically asked, this one focused on the wild card showdown and his pregame thoughts.
You’re gearing up for your NFL playoff game in your career. Which part of the game on Sunday excites you the most?
“This game is going to be really big. I’m more excited about the audience. Even though the atmosphere will be crazy, the crowd will undoubtedly be there.
Since this is your first playoff game, who have you turned to most for guidance on what to expect?
“Honestly, just anybody and everybody that’s been or had some experience in there. I’ve been really absorbed in and aware of what’s happening this week. I haven’t really been asking questions of that nature regarding the playoffs. But every now and then, an older guy will give a nugget out there or Jared (Goff) will give a nugget about how the playoffs are going. Alex (Anzalone) will say something or something. To be honest, I have been concentrating on this game so much that I can’t even begin to enjoy it yet.
This is, in my opinion, the greatest game of your career, regardless of level. Which one was the biggest or most important before this?
It’s a valid question. It was probably the third round of the high school playoffs, when we faced the team that had defeated us the previous season. That seemed like one of my more significant games.
When everyone in the locker room learned that you were going to play the Rams, how did things go?
“We were just about to leave. To be honest, it wasn’t really a good or bad idea. We were aware that we would be facing a strong team, and we also knew that they had been practicing hard. The Rams have triumphed in roughly seven out of the past eight games. Thus, we were aware of the kind of game we would be getting. We were aware that the game would be excellent. They play hard and they will compete.
Aside from plots, it’s common knowledge that the Rams have a very strong offensive line. Which do you think will be the biggest obstacle to overcoming it?
The biggest obstacle facing this defense? That is a valid query. Numerous obstacles of various kinds will arise. That’s why it’s challenging to reduce it to just one. But I’d say tackling. They are proficient at breaking tackles in various ways, such as yards after the catch. Therefore, I believe that this needs to be an extremely good tackling game for us.
We’re actually focusing on that this week as well. However, I believe that tackling will be extremely difficult. We’ll need to get people to the ball because they do break a lot of tackles. We’re pretty good at getting guys down. Therefore, we will just keep doing that.
Distinguished mention:
In keeping with a question I usually pose to players, what music do you play before games considering how important it is in the locker room?
“I won’t tell lies. This one may not mean much. I’m going to feel really confined. I occasionally can’t do anything before a big game like this or listen to any music. To be honest, I’m just cooped up inside, contemplating what’s happening or the kind of play I’m going to write. However, I’m not sure. We’ll see, because I have a lot of different music on my playlist.
What makes this changeover necessary? Why do you prefer to groove to music during other games than during a Sunday one?
“A bigger game is usually something like a night game,” I say. I don’t know why, but whenever it’s a night game, I have to, I dunno, my mind is constantly preoccupied with this game. There is nothing more I can do. I’m not good at video games. I had trouble eating. I just have so much anxiety over this game. I’m only thinking about that at all times.
To be honest, that is the true reason. You could say it’s like the stillness (calm) before the storm. Simply put, I enjoy that calm state of mind. When the time comes, it’s time to leave. It’s just like that for me, I’m not sure what it is.
