Aaron Donald says he doesn’t play ‘bad football’ despite zero sacks in last 2 games, tears up ‘blatant’ un-called catches

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald hasn’t recorded a sack or even a tackle in the past two games, which NFL two-time defensive player of the year said: “Never, ever “made his life” until this year. “

However, Donald – who sits third in the NFL with nine sacks and 35 presses – remains confident about his level of play.

“At the end of the day, I don’t think I’m playing bad football,” Donald said Wednesday. “I feel like I’m disruptive, I’m still almost making plays, getting quarterbacks to get the ball in the last minute, whatever the case. The guys around me are playing too. so it’s not nothing that I’m angry about. “

But that doesn’t mean Donald isn’t frustrated with one aspect of his game.

When asked if officials missed the pending calls, Donald didn’t hesitate.

“In my opinion they have every game,” said Donald, adding that in a 27-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football, “there were some glaring catches that we didn’t not received the call. “

Donald pointed out a play late in the third quarter, when Bucs quarterback Tom Brady faced a third and a 15 from his 8-yard line. When he was hit by Rams defensive end Morgan Fox in the end zone, Brady appeared to grope and the Rams recovered, but play was quickly put to death and ruled on an incomplete pass.

“I feel like Fox released the ball, so it should have been a sack anyway, and if it wasn’t it should have been a hold call and security because [Bucs left tackle Donovan Smith] held me in the end zone, “said Donald.” So I thought I was going to grab the flag, I looked around, there was a lot of chaos, no, but that’s what it is, so I have to keep playing Ball. “

The Rams’ defense ranks second in efficiency and points against per game (19.2), and the unit is third in the NFL with 32 sacks.

Calls on hold in the NFL are at their lowest in 20 seasons, according to ESPN Stats and Information. There have been 357 offensive detention penalties in 11 weeks, down from 660 offensive detention penalties at the same time last season.

Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley admitted detention penalties were reduced throughout the league, but said the Rams would look into the lack of appeals in favor of Donald, who was doubled on a league-high 223 of his assists , 35 more than the next player, Chicago Bears defensive end Akiem Hicks, who faced 188 doubles teams.

“It just means that people are blocking it directly, which we know they don’t, so calls on hold are usually dropped, but that’s something that is of concern because it has also happened. in the Seattle game, ”Staley said. “It’s like Shaquille O’Neal back when he was playing, this guy – I think people take for granted how good he is and we have to make sure people see the game the way they need it. . “

When asked if he had lobbied officials to draw attention to the naysayers holding him, Donald laughed.

“The whole time I talk to them,” Donald said. “I say ‘You have to see that call on hold,’ they say they don’t see it. I’m like ‘Dude, guy put me around my neck, grabbed, pulled my shirt off, I just beat a guy with a clean run. But it’s okay, I hope I have one sooner or later that will help us a lot, so I just have to keep playing. “