Detroit Lions: Darius Slay bullied by D.K. Metcalf on Monday Night Football
Darius Slay’s performance on Monday Night Football suggests the Detroit Lions may have been right in choosing to trade the corner to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Things won’t always be the same as they were in Detroit. Every once in a great while, former Pro Bowl and ex-Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay is going to get taken out back to the woodshed for an entire game.
This time Slay was tormented and embarrassed by Seattle Seahawks receiver D.K. Metcalf on national television during the Eagles 23-17 loss on Monday Night Football. In Philadelphia, Lincoln Financial Field became the setting for the veteran cornerback’s thrashing where Metcalf finished the contest by catching 10 passes for 177-yards. The receiver was virtually unstoppable all evening long.
This became apparent during the early-going of the first quarter. The outmatched Slay’s frustration boiled over when a shoving-match ensued with Metcalf. Eventually, the standoff drew the attention of more players from on the field. At that point, the cornerback knew he was in for a long night.
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Following the embarrassing performance, Slay went into detail about his trouble containing Metcalf throughout the evening:
"“It was a great battle. I won’t say it was difficult. I lost every 50/50 ball today. I am usually on the other side of that. Today, I am on the other side of it. I let the team down. I told the defense, that game was on me. I have to play better, but props to DK for giving me the good work. We are competing every play, but I lost every 50/50 ball and I have to be better.”Darius Slay via ProFootballTalk"
Slay was brought in by the Eagles and given a lucrative extension this offseason after landing in Philadelphia via trade from Detroit.
The deal netted the eight-year veteran a total of $50,050,000 that runs through 2024, where the defender will be forced to test the market at age-34.
Following the game, Slay also took to Twitter to acknowledge his responsibility for failing to slow down his opponent. The tweet said:
https://twitter.com/bigplay24slay/status/1333642526926966789
Metcalf, the second-year pro from Ole Miss, spent the night playing with a little extra motivation. Before the game, former-Detroit Lions head coach and current Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz approached the Seahawks receiver and offered a verbal slight by saying, “I was in Detroit with Megatron. You’re not there yet.”
After hearing that, Metcalf mentioned that he spent the entire evening playing with a “chip on my shoulder,” according to Sports Illustrated via NFL Total Access. The receiver also mentioned, “In my mind, I’m not trying to be Megatron. I’m trying to be me.”
Currently, the Seahawks rank among the top offenses in the league. Metcalf’s pairing with quarterback Russell Wilson is a major reason for the unit’s success this season. Through 11 games this season, the receiver leads the NFL with 1,039-yards, in addition to his 58-catches and nine touchdown receptions.
https://twitter.com/SInow/status/1333647982592344064
Metcalf’s domination is just the beginning of what might prove to be a difficult stretch for Slay. His next matchup will be this Sunday against Green Bay Packers wide receiver Devante Adams, before eventual showdowns with Michael Thomas (NO), D’Andre Hopkins (ARZ), Amari Cooper & CeeDee Lamb (DAL), and Terry McClaurin (WSH).
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It’s a safe-bet that Eagles GM Howie Roseman and owner Jeff Lurie will be watching closely to determine whether-or-not Slay is worth the high-dollar price tag he commands.