Bond Between Derrick Barnes, Alex Anzalone Sparks Detroit Lions Defense

Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes first crossed paths back in 2021. 

Both were new to the Detroit Lions. Anzalone had signed with the team on a one-year deal after beginning his career in New Orleans. Barnes, meanwhile, was a fourth-round draft pick. 

What has formed is a close bond between the two. Fast forward two seasons, and they're anchoring the Lions' run defense as starting linebackers. 

"I feel like 2021 was a tough year for us, but as a rookie, there's some dudes that approach the game the right way," Anzalone said. "He's just a really good dude. You talked to him and sense his heart. He has a really great wife, has a kid on the way. Sometimes you're just friends and get closer and closer and I can tell he's following in my footsteps as far as what I do. So it's fun for me." 

For Barnes, the gesture from Anzalone taking him under his wing has meant everything. 

"Alex, in my eyes, he's a star, man. A guy that knows the game, a guy that knows where to be at the right time. You know, me and Alex always talk. We train together, he's really become my best friend," Barnes said. "I always thank him, because I don't think I would be right here in this league without him, honestly. A guy who took me under his wing, explained to me a lot of things when I was going through the situations I was going through my first and second years. Gave me some confidence because he believed in me, and that was huge for me.

"Ever since then, I really took off. He's a leader on the field. He's a vital player, knows the game well, knows what the offense wants to do, always in the right position to make plays. That's a guy you want around. That's a guy you want on the field playing beside you. I'm honored to have him play next to me, so I take pride in that relationship." 

The two have taken different paths to where they are currently. While Anzalone has started all 35 of the games he's played as a Lion, Barnes is enjoying his first taste of extended reps with the first team. 

He's overcome longer odds, too. The Lions drafted Jack Campbell No. 18 overall, signaling to many that the rookie had the inside track to the starting position. 

However, in Detroit's competitive culture, Barnes worked his way into the starting lineup with a strong training camp. 

"Even for him, during the Draft, it's hard when you draft an inside linebacker No. 18 pick. Everyone just assumes that's the starter. I remember right after that, he called me," Anzalone explained. "I was just like, 'You know how it's gonna be, you know what you have to do. You have to be on one when you come to training camp.' Credit to him, it's really impressive how he's handled all of it. I mean, to be the starting linebacker when you have a first-round draft pick, that's really hard to do. That's inspired me to see that." 

Top run defense

The Lions currently have the league's best run defense, allowing 60.8 yards per game. Anzalone and Barnes have played a key role in that effort, combining for 46 tackles and two sacks. 

"I feel like run defense is the whole team. It's corners, it's the linebackers, it's the D-line, it's the safeties," Anzalone stated. "It's a credit to everyone, really. Teams were figuring out last year how to get certain weaknesses exposed. This year there really are none so far. So we've just got to keep it that way." 

They've taken the run-stopping effort personal, resulting in a higher level of intensity in that facet of the game. Dating back to training camp, there has been a large emphasis placed on making teams one-dimensional. 

"We take the run game as you're trying our manhood," Anzalone explained. "We take it personal. It's worked out for us so far."