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Detroit Lions sixth-round pick Ahmed Hassanein has exciting potential, and is adjusting to life in the NFL after being drafted out of Boise State.
Hassanein caught up with Lions OnSI after practice Friday to discuss his early development, impressions of Aidan Hutchinson and much more.
You had a solid showing and got some pressure on the quarterback today. How did you feel out there?
Ahmed Hassanein: "I loved it, I loved it. I just love the opportunity to be out there. I'm having fun, you know? I'm enjoying my time, I'm doing my job. I'm picking up the playbook, I'm learning a lot. There's some stuff I never knew, learning about the defense. (Defensive line) coach Kacy (Rodgers) does an amazing job explaining the whole defense, which is what I needed to be a football player. It's not just see ball get ball all the time. This is the NFL, this is the highest level you can ever play at. So, when I understand what my other D-end does and what my D-tackle does, I add off of that and I also do my thing. We're all learning each other's position and learning that the back end can help with the front end, and how what coverage we're in will help us. It's a whole other different level. When I got here, I was like, 'Wow, that makes sense now.' So, it's kind of unlocking the things that I never knew."
You've had a lot of information to process from the draft to rookie minicamp to now. What has helped you adapt to life in the NFL?
Hassanein: "Just learning from the veterans. Learning from coach Kacy, (defensive assistant) coach Caleb (Collins), (senior defensive assistant/outside linebackers) coach (David Corrao) DC. I'm just learning a lot. Learning how to drop in coverage, learning what the offense is trying to do, learning different calls. Having different stuff, different looks, 'Is it three-by-one? Two-by-two?' All that's different stuff. Like, what the offense is trying to do, what the identity of the offense is, what's our identity as a defense. Learning all that, it's a whole other level that I can unlock and I can go to. I'm so hungry to learn, I want to get to that level. I'm gonna do whatever I can to get to that level. Coach Kacey has been amazing with me because he explains each position. He's like, 'Okay, Ahmed, what are we doing here? What's this guy doing?' And sometimes I mess it up. Don't get me wrong, I'm learning. The only way to learn is to make mistakes. I'm the type of guy when I make mistakes, I get so angry at myself, because I know I'm so much better than that and I don't want to let my coaches down. So, I literally talked to Corey, and was like, 'I had one mental error today, I had two mental errors today.' He's like, 'That's part of the process and part of learning. Go out there and just have fun.' At the end of the day, the more complicated you make the game, it's gonna be complicated. Be physical at the point of attack, see ball and get ball, but also understand where the ball is and understand what you're doing. I'm having fun, I'm enjoying my time and I'm so grateful to be here."
Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport looked solid out there today. What's it like working with them?
Hassanein: "I'm so excited. They're such competitors, you know? And I'm so humbled for that because I just look at these guys and I'm like, 'Man, I can't wait to get to that level.' You know what I'm saying? I can't wait to play with that guy, to look at Hutch on the other side, or look at 92 on the other side and be like, 'Let's go get it,' and just fire up the defense. Today was the first day that I told them. I was yelling and started going. I just want to earn their respect first, you know what I'm saying? I want to earn their respect, just earn everything. Earn everything that is given to me, nothing in life is given, everything has to be earned. I want to earn their respect and earn the opportunity to play with them."
Where do you want to grow from now until the next series of OTAs next week and into training camp?
Hassanein: "Just keep studying the playbook, keep learning, keep developing, getting stronger in the weight room and getting even stronger. Working on my techniques, my fundamentals, my get offs because I can really do something here. I truly believe that. I can compete with anybody, and I just can't wait to unlock that next level with my mental game. That's the only thing that I need, and the only thing to develop with this is repetition and consistency. So, if I am consistent at what I do, and I rep what I do and I understand what I'm doing, then I'm gonna play fast and make plays."
More from Lions OnSI:
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- NFLPA reportedly under federal investigation
- Why as many as 100 NFL players are facing fines and potential suspension
- The 'Single-season sack leaders by NFL team' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Steelers News: Omar Khan Details Why George Pickens Was Traded to the Cowboys Despite 'Developing' Him Since 2022
Following his breakout year in 2023, George Pickens was expected to be the WR1 of the Pittsburgh Steelers for the foreseeable future. He had already justified the second-round draft capital that the franchise had initially invested in him, but there were growing concerns about Pickens’ lack of maturity. Fast forward to the 2025 offseason, and even though he’s managed to produce a career total of 2,841 receiving yards throughout his first three seasons in the league, the Steelers were willing to let him go in exchange for nothing more than a 2026 third-round pick and a minuscule value swap with the Dallas Cowboys. While the team has since managed to replace Pickens’ service with that of D.K. Metcalf, fans and analysts alike are still questioning the decision. Thankfully, the self-titled host of The Rich Eisen made the most of his recent discussion with the team’s general manager, Omar Khan, by directly asking him “Why did George Pickens have to go despite developing him?” “I’ll just say, as we went through the offseason and the process, it just became evident that, for both sides, a fresh start was the best thing,” Khan explained. “It just made sense for both of us.” Suffice to say, Khan’s answer, while not very insightful, does suggest that Pickens’ relationships with various Pittsburgh personnel had become fractured beyond repair. Whether it was the Steelers or Pickens himself who was responsible for things not working out does not matter anymore, as Khan’s brief statement brings the entire saga to a somewhat definitive end. For one reason or another, it was no longer in either side’s best interest to continue working together, and that’s that. Much like the rest of his interview with Eisen, Khan and the rest of the Steelers’ organization is now moving forward. When Eisen noted that Pittsburgh’s trade involving Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jalen Ramsey couldn’t have “happened over night,” Khan explained that it took “weeks” to finally get the deal done with the Miami Dolphins. Being sure to cover all of the high notes from the Steelers’ chaotic offseason, the seven-time Sports Emmy award nominee also inquired about T.J. Watt’s latest benchmark contract with the team. While he was unwilling to go into the “specifics of the numbers,” Khan did proclaim that, “I think it just reflects how we feel about him. It was important for me, and the organization, for T.J. to be a one-helmet Hall of Famer. It would be a great thing and hopefully there’s many, many more years to go with T.J., but it was just important. His numbers speak for themselves… As great of a player as he is, he’s an even better person.” At 6-foot-4 and 229-pounds, the aforementioned Metcalf is certainly capable of filling the Pickens-sized hole in Pittsburgh’s receiving core. Likewise, the addition of Ramsey along with their retaining of Watt will help to ensure that the defense is as stout as ever. The Steelers are going all in on the 2025 regular season with the hopes of discovering their first playoff win since January 15th of 2017 and it’s too late for them to turn back now. They’ll have to hope that they’ve made the right moves and prioritized the right signings. Otherwise they’ll risk wasting the final regular season of one of the most storied careers in all of NFL history.
‘In What World Does This Make Sense?????’: Oilers and $63M Forward
According to some, throw out the idea that the Edmonton Oilers should pursue Max Pacioretty. A veteran forward who has earned over $63 million over the course of his NHL career has yet to sign an NHL contract and was recently mentioned in a post by David Staples as a possible fit. In a recent post, the Journal noted, “All of the top NHL unrestricted free agents have already signed contracts, but there’s one big name player still available that makes good sense for the Edmonton Oilers to pursue.” Responses have been varied, with a few quite vocal about the Oilers not following Staples’ advice. “In what world does this make sense?????” writes a commenter on a recent post for The Hockey Writers. Another commenter wrote, “Pacioretty is a good journeyman player but he is injury prone now, late in his career. Oilers might be lucky to get 40 games out of him. They should look elsewhere instead of taking a chance on Patches.” Tyler Yaremchuk of Oilers Nation chimed in and said, “He scored five goals in 37 games last year with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Can’t stay healthy, very old, very slow.” Yaremchuk then went on a rant, listing several Oilers forwards who would be better than Pacioretty. What About Pacioretty on a PTO? Is there any reason that a team that is looking to get younger and faster, and move out depth pieces that were older and less productive than expected, would revert back to last summer’s strategy? It seems like an odd choice on the surface. Something would have to happen that would make giving Pacioretty a look risk-free. That means only a PTO. Even at that point, should he agree, it would require him to be willing to sign a two-way contract for the league minimum.
Phoenix Suns make 'concrete' offer to Golden State Warriors wing Jonathan Kuminga
The Phoenix Suns pursuit for Golden State Warriors wing Jonathan Kuminga is reaching its final stages. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Phoenix and Sacramento Kings have made “concrete” offers to the 22-year-old. Kuminga hasn’t received much interest in restricted free agency but could still make the jump from the Warriors to a different team next season. Charania on Suns interest with Kuminga: “I’m told the Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings are two teams that have made concrete offers to the Warriors over the last week or so. They’re two of the most aggressive teams.” Reports have indicated that the Warriors want a first-round pick, a solid role player and no bad contracts. The Suns are lacking in first-round picks but have plenty of role players to offer in a sign-and-trade. Shooting guards Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neale would have to be a part of any trade with Kuminga because of the former lottery pick’s high asking price. Allen makes nearly $17 million, while O’Neale cost around $10 million. The duo are some of the most effective shooters in the NBA and would be a perfect player to play off ball of superstar Stephen Curry. Phoenix has a surplus at shooting guard and wouldn’t lose much positional depth with the departure of the two backcourt players. In 2024-2025, Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists on 45.4% shooting from the field. The turmoil between the young wing and head coach Steven Kerr boiled over after limited playing time in the playoffs. The DNPs that Kuminga racked up in the playoffs likely has hurt the value of him in free agency and in the trade market, which could help Phoenix in its pursuit.
Yankees have finally found their third baseman in Ryan McMahon
After years of speculation and nothing materializing, the New York Yankees have at last acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, per the New York Post's Jon Heyman. Pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz are headed to the Mile High City in return. They were the number eight and 21st-ranked prospects in the Yankees' farm system, per MLB.com. Given the Yankees' struggles at the third-base position over the last few years, bringing in a guy who was an All-Star in 2024 and will be much more reliable is a win. Former MLB player and current analyst Cameron Maybin certainly believes that, as he was pushing the McMahon-to-New York narrative over the last week and feels it could be a great fit for both sides. "The third baseman they need plays in Colorado...I'm telling you! Defensively more than adequate and Taylor made for the ballpark offensively," Maybin wrote on social media. Maybin went on to mention how McMahon will feel reinvigorated joining a World Series contender like the Yankees after the last six-and-a-half years of being at the bottom in Colorado. The 30-year-old is not having his best season, slugging 16 home runs and 35 RBI with a .217 average through 100 games with the Rockies, per MLB.com stats. However, he's consistently been a 20-plus home run hitter who drives in runs at a strong rate and has a large sample size of doing so. Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez (.252 average, 36 HRs, 86 RBI) has seemed to be No. 1 target for most teams, and for good reason, but given the Yankees' current situation and weaknesses, McMahon made more sense. Not only does he play a better third base, which New York desperately needs, but he has another two years of control after 2025, whereas Suarez would have been a rental. The acquisition cost was nothing crazy, and adding a lefty bat with some power to potentially take advantage of the short porch at Yankee Stadium is always a bonus. Some may not be satisfied until they see McMahon positively impacting the New York Yankees, but rest assured, this is a very solid pickup.
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