I know it’s quite hard to believe, but Aaron Donald wasn’t “choking” a teammate just for fun.
The drill from that viral video shown on NFL Network’s broadcast actually has a purpose, and Aaron Donald explained it on Thursday in an interview with Brandon Marshall. The Los Angeles Rams superstar said the viral video that showed him “choking” fellow defensive lineman Elijah Garcia is a drill to simulate shutting down run lanes.
The video showed Donald putting his hand around Garcia’s neck and shoving him backwards.
“It’s a technique. Run scoop,” Donald said. “I’m closing my ‘A’ gap. This is my ‘B’ gap [points in the opposite direction]. I’m closing that. That’s the guard, I’m closing that ‘A’ gap. So they can’t cut back, they can’t cut to the ‘A’ gap, they gotta cut to me.”
Marshall then jokingly asked what was more disrespectful, that drill or one where Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry uses multiple defenders jumping toward him on their hands and knees to practice breaking low tackles.
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“It ain’t disrespectful. It’s a technique. [Garcia’s] a rookie! He’s gotta pay his dues!” Donald said with a laugh.
The 31-year-old University of Pittsburgh product is a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time Pro Bowl selection.
After flirting with retirement, Donald the the Rams will begin their championship defense Sept. 8 when it welcomes the Buffalo Bills to SoFi Stadium for the NFL’s annual Kickoff Game.
