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Lions’ Ziggy Ansah: ‘I’m glad 2016 is over’

Photo: WJR

By Michael Stets

After a Pro Bowl season in 2015 where he recorded 14.5 sacks, Lions defensive end Ziggy Ansah had a rough year in 2016, which saw his sack numbers dwindle. He missed three games in October due to a high-ankle sprain–which hampered his play long after he returned to action–and didn’t find his way to an opposing team’s quarterback until he sacked Eli Manning in a Week 15 matchup against the New York Giants.

Now entering his fifth year with the team, Ansah is happy to leave that disappointing 2016 campaign in his rear-view mirror.

“It wasn’t easy dealing with what I was dealing with,” Ansah told reporters in Allen Park after a workout on Tuesday. “But I know that there is always a time in life where you always go through obstacles. That kind of teaches a person how to be a man, you know? And how are you going to deal with it? And I’m glad 2016 is over. I’m just looking forward to 2017.”

The Lions defense finished 30th in the NFL in sacks in 2016 with 26 total. And Ansah only had two for the entire season.

“I take it personally,” said Ansah on his low number of sacks. “I feel like I didn’t do my job. That’s what I’m paid to do. So If I’m not able to accomplish that then you know that’s something that you weren’t able to do right. Like I said, I’m really focused this year. I’m excited for what we have coming up and it’s definitely going to be better than last year.”

Having a healthy Ansah for the upcoming season should make a huge difference on the overall play of the defensive line. Said Ansah’s teammate, defensive end Kerry Hyder, “With him out there it changes the whole defense.” Hyder led the Lions last season with eight sacks, followed by Devon Taylor (4.5) and Armonty Bryant (3). Taylor is no longer with the team. And this offseason, the Lions signed Cornelius Washington, who had two sacks last season playing for the Chicago Bears. Ansah said he has “a lot of confidence” in his fellow defensive ends and praised their hard work and dedication.

Ansah, 27, wouldn’t give out a number when asked, but said he’s “hoping to get into the double digits” in sacks this season. The ultimate goal, though, he says, is to “win a championship for this city.” The Lions haven’t won a playoff game since the 1991 season and fell short again last year, losing to the Seattle Seahawks 26-6 in the NFL Wildcard round. Ansah, who had two sacks and nine tackles in that game, says he’s still trying to find a way to move past the disappointment of that defeat.

“I think I gotta find a way to get over it,” said Ansah, who will return to his native country of Ghana to hold a football camp this July. “When I go back and watch the film and [see] how hard we played and we were just not able to come out on top, it was hard to take in. Like I said, 2016 is over. I’m looking forward to 2017.”

“Are you over it?” he was asked.

“Before the season starts I’ll be over it.”