Lions CB Terrion Arnold makes bold personal declaration for rest of the season

Things are coming together better for Terrion Arnold lately, so it's only a matter of time before he gets a career-first.

Takeaways have become part of the Detroit Lions' defensive identity this season. At times, head coach Dan Campbell has spoken a takeaway into existence.

Safety Kerby Joseph leads the NFL with seven interceptions entering Week 12. Fellow safety Brian Branch has four interceptions with a forced fumble. Cornerback Carlton Davis had two interceptions to help fuel the epic comeback against the Houston Texans in Week 10, and he has two fumble recoveries on the season. Cornerback Amik Robertson forced two fumbles against the Tennessee Titans in Week 8.

Notably absent from the takeaway party in the Lions' secondary thus far is rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold. Of course there has to be opportunities to get interceptions and what-not, and in line with his recent improvement Arnold has been targeted four or fewer times in three of his last five games.

And in a broader sense, a player getting a takeaway into their hands can be a product of luck/randomness and simply happening to be in the right place at the right time.

Terrion Arnold foresees his takeaway fortune turning around

Arnold spoke to reporters in the locker room after Thursday's practice, touching on a bunch of topics. He said he felt like he was in position for a interception a couple times in Week 11, only for Mac Jones to go elsewhere with the ball, and he is clearly not concerned about the interception-less start to his NFL career.

“When my picks come, they’re going to come in bunches", Arnold said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. "I know at the end of the day when I come in here what my job is and I ain't never been one to kind of seek validation from others. Some people they glorify stuff like that," "They’re like, ‘Well, if people ain't giving me my praise then I ain't doing that.’ I know what I'm doing. I know when I'm on the back side by myself, it's locked up.”

Arnold tied for the SEC lead last season with five interceptions, and with 20 pass breakups over his last two seasons at Alabama he showed a nose for being around the ball. His first NFL interception might be coming soon, and for his part Arnold thinks that will open the floodgates for him.