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Aaron Donald ready for expanded role
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/12562/aaron-donald-ready-for-expanded-role
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams wasn't shy about his praise for rookie defensive tackle Aaron Donald when asked about him Saturday afternoon.
Williams pointed to Donald's ability to quickly acclimate to the NFL game in the first four weeks and his professional approach as reasons he's been impressed. Apparently, he's been good enough to merit an expanded role against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.
“He would be a guy that I hope you guys have a chance to take a good look at this week," Williams said. "He’s had a really, really good week of practice. Looking forward for him to get a chance to have opportunities to play the way we want him to play. It’s the same way he played in college. He’s a very quick, instinctive player. He feels very comfortable in what we’re doing. This week for whatever reason, it felt like the light came on a little bit more for him, even a little bit more."
Through his first four games, Donald has been coming off the bench as part of the team's defensive line rotation. He's averaged right at 25 snaps per game in those appearances, mostly in pass situations.
Donald has fared well enough in those limited opportunities that his getting more chances was a matter of when, not if. According to Rams' coaches review of the game film, Donald has been one of the team's most productive defensive linemen and clearly the most productive among the interior group. Their reviews have Donald down for 20 tackles, the team's lone sack, four quarterback pressures and four quarterback hits.
Clearly, Donald has been better than just a situational role player and from the sound of it, he'll soon be used as such.
"I feel like I've been improving each week, getting better, getting better, getting more comfortable out there," Donald said. "Come game time, things are slowing down out there for me so I'm excited about this week. I'm ready for it. This is what I've been working for. It's my time so I'm just going to try to get out there and fly around."
Beyond his early production in games, Donald has also left a positive impression with how he carries himself in the locker room. According to Williams, Donald is one of the first players in and last players to leave in nearly every situation. Donald regularly arrives at Rams Park up to two hours before he's supposed to so he can watch extra film, a practice he began at the University of Pittsburgh and has brought with him to the NFL.
"It’s fun to be around him and you guys don’t get a chance to see it as much as I do, is that he’s the first one here in the morning," Williams said. "He’s the first one in the meeting room. He’s out here on the practice field before the guys set the practice up. He takes this thing seriously and it’s fun to be around that kind of a guy. Hopefully success wise, he gets a little bit of success and he’ll only prosper.”
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/12562/aaron-donald-ready-for-expanded-role
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams wasn't shy about his praise for rookie defensive tackle Aaron Donald when asked about him Saturday afternoon.
Williams pointed to Donald's ability to quickly acclimate to the NFL game in the first four weeks and his professional approach as reasons he's been impressed. Apparently, he's been good enough to merit an expanded role against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.
“He would be a guy that I hope you guys have a chance to take a good look at this week," Williams said. "He’s had a really, really good week of practice. Looking forward for him to get a chance to have opportunities to play the way we want him to play. It’s the same way he played in college. He’s a very quick, instinctive player. He feels very comfortable in what we’re doing. This week for whatever reason, it felt like the light came on a little bit more for him, even a little bit more."
Through his first four games, Donald has been coming off the bench as part of the team's defensive line rotation. He's averaged right at 25 snaps per game in those appearances, mostly in pass situations.
Donald has fared well enough in those limited opportunities that his getting more chances was a matter of when, not if. According to Rams' coaches review of the game film, Donald has been one of the team's most productive defensive linemen and clearly the most productive among the interior group. Their reviews have Donald down for 20 tackles, the team's lone sack, four quarterback pressures and four quarterback hits.
Clearly, Donald has been better than just a situational role player and from the sound of it, he'll soon be used as such.
"I feel like I've been improving each week, getting better, getting better, getting more comfortable out there," Donald said. "Come game time, things are slowing down out there for me so I'm excited about this week. I'm ready for it. This is what I've been working for. It's my time so I'm just going to try to get out there and fly around."
Beyond his early production in games, Donald has also left a positive impression with how he carries himself in the locker room. According to Williams, Donald is one of the first players in and last players to leave in nearly every situation. Donald regularly arrives at Rams Park up to two hours before he's supposed to so he can watch extra film, a practice he began at the University of Pittsburgh and has brought with him to the NFL.
"It’s fun to be around him and you guys don’t get a chance to see it as much as I do, is that he’s the first one here in the morning," Williams said. "He’s the first one in the meeting room. He’s out here on the practice field before the guys set the practice up. He takes this thing seriously and it’s fun to be around that kind of a guy. Hopefully success wise, he gets a little bit of success and he’ll only prosper.”
