Rams notebook: Hekker looks for more success after Pro Bowl season in 2013

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RamBill

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Rams notebook: Hekker looks for more success after Pro Bowl season in 2013
• By Joe Lyons

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_882b0f4d-ab68-5ffc-8f00-b6e5e30ff178.html

Rams punter Johnny Hekker enjoyed a breakout season in 2013, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl after setting an NFL record with a 44.2-yard net punting average.

Thanks to Hekker’s hangtime and directional kicks, the Rams also led the league in minimizing punt return yardage, allowing just 79 yards on 30 returns for an average of 2.6 yards.

But, as Hekker sees it, none of that matters now.

“I think the best thing I can do for myself and my team is put all that behind me,’’ the third-year pro from Oregon State said after Monday morning’s special-teams workout at Rams Park. “That was last season and it has no bearing on what I’m going to do this season, I’m just going to put that out of my mind. ... In order to have a special season, I’m going to have to have an even better work ethic, an even better game plan and mental approach to the game.

“I believe I can have another great year. I think I can be a better punter, definitely. ... I’m just going to go out on every rep and kick the ball where I can. I have some amazing teammates around me that you saw today working their butts off and I have the best special teams coach in the NFL, without a doubt, and he’s going to get us ready week in and week out to dominate.

“He said it best today: We don’t want to be the best we can be; we just want to be the best.’’

Special teams coordinator John “Bones’’ Fassel has worked extensively with Hekker since the 6-foot-5, 236-pound punter joined the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2012.

“He has never-ending energy, that guy,’’ Hekker said. “He’s always smiling, always excited about coaching and it’s contagious ... you can’t help but work hard for a guy like that, (a guy who) really puts in a lot of time and cares about you as a player and as a person off the field.’’

As a specialist, Hekker spends a lot of time watching practice, and he’s excited about this squad.

“These guys are fast and tenacious and I think we could be in for a great season,’’ he said. “I’m excited that we get to borrow them on special teams when they’re not tearing it up on offense and defense.’’

Just a few days before the start of camp, the fun-loving Hekker threw out the first pitch at a Cardinals-Rays game and called the experience “incredible, probably the most nerve-racking moments in sports I’ve ever had.”

“I never played organized baseball, so I get up there on the bump and my nerves started getting going,” the 24-year-old said. “But I zinged the ball in there. It was a little outside, but I think it was a strike. At least Fredbird called it that way.’’

Hekker said he practiced with fellow punter Bobby Cowan that morning and received some advice from teammates.

“They told me that I had to make sure to get up on the bump, that I couldn’t stand in front of the mound,’’ he recalled. “I knew if I was going to do it, I was going all the way.’’

CHRIS LONG, SOCCER FAN

Defensive end Chris Long enjoys watching futbol and made comments about the sport throughout the World Cup on Twitter. Last week, he also tweeted during an exhibition match between Manchester City and Sporting KC in Kansas City.

“An MLS team would be awesome here, wouldn’t it?’’ he said over the weekend. “I don’t know the economics of the situation. I was thinking about it the other night (and) actually Googled how much a team costs. ...

“But man, it would be cool. This is a great sports town and it would be awesome. It seems like there are soccer fans here (and) Kansas City is doing a great job.’’

Long said he was rooting for Argentina to win in Brazil, but it fell short in the World Cup final, losing 1-0 to Germany.

RAM-BLINGS

The Rams held their first practice in pads Monday, going through a short, entertaining and spirited special teams workout.

For a lot of young players, special teams is the first step toward earning a spot in the NFL, so with the majority of the 90-man roster looking to impress coaches, the competition was fierce.

“It’s a great way to evaluate guys,” Fassel said.

Monday’s highlights included a clash and some heated words between second-year linebacker Ray Ray Armstrong and free agent linebacker Lawrence Wilson. Armstrong led the team with 12 special teams tackles in 2013.

Fassel said Michael Sam, the seventh-round draft choice from Mizzou, showed promise in blocking drills and also praised rookie defensive back Lamarcus Joyner, who more than held his own in a double-team against second-year players Brandon McGee and Stedman Bailey.

• The Rams will hold their first full-squad workout in pads today. The practice, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 3:30 p.m.
 

HE WITH HORNS

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To make the probowl as a Ram, you have to set NFL records. And even then, you're not a lock to get in.
 

LetsGoRams

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This guy can boom the ball. Watching him at practice on Sunday and everyone was commenting how far the guy was kicking it - everyone a perfect spiral. We have two kickers with incredible legs. I love Johnny's character and enthusiasm too. Seems like a cool kid who likes to have fun.