The Detroit Lions’ 16-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in their first exhibition game might sting a bit, but man, defensive end Ahmed Hassanein absolutely lit up Paycor Stadium, making a huge statement for his spot on that D-line. If you weren’t watching, you missed out on seeing a guy who seriously looks like a bona fide NFL player, plain and simple.
Rookie QB Luke Altmyer Shows Promise, But the Offense Has Work
Alright, let’s talk offense for a sec. Rookie quarterback Luke Altmyer actually looked pretty calm and cool running the Lions’ scheme, which is exactly what you want to see from a young signal-caller in his first real action. That’s a huge positive to build on, no doubt. But then there’s second-year wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, and for him, it was a night to forget. On one play, an Altmyer pass bounced right off TeSlaa’s facemask, popping the ball straight up and, of course, right into the defense’s hands for a turnover. Talk about a brutal moment. It’s been a tough training camp overall for the guy, and honestly, the coaching staff needs to keep loading him up with reps. He’s gotta work through this stuff, especially with two more exhibition games ahead.
Ahmed Hassanein Is The Real Deal On Defense
Now, let’s get back to what really blew me away: Ahmed Hassanein. This dude’s stock is just going through the roof, and after watching him, it’s easy to see why. He was making splash plays left and right. Think about this: a first-series sack on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow! Yeah, *that* Joe Burrow. Then, later in the game, he followed it up with a sack-fumble. The guy just plays with an intensity that’s infectious, like his hair is truly on fire. Coming out of Boise State, everyone knew he had potential, but now we’re seeing it translate to the pros. Lions coach Dan Campbell even said it’s better to have a player with that kind of fire than the opposite problem. You know Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard was grinning from ear to ear watching that tape. If Hassanein keeps stacking great days like this, he’s not just making the team, he’s gonna be a firm part of that defensive line rotation.
This was only the first of three scheduled exhibition games, and Hassanein just set a massive tone. What’s next? For TeSlaa, it’s all about those crucial reps in the next game, proving he can bounce back. For Hassanein, it’s about proving this wasn’t a fluke. We’re looking forward to seeing who steps up next as the team gears up for the regular season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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