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Rams present season-ending awards
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_3da645f2-4ac2-531b-805d-7044de709929.html
The Rams handed out their annual awards on Monday. The honors, determined by the vote of teammates, included:
• Defensive end Robert Quinn repeated as the Daniel F. Reeves Memorial Award as team MVP. Quinn, who was recently named to play in his second consecutive Pro Bowl, took home the MVP award after leading the Rams for the second straight season with 10 1/2 sacks. In addition to reaching double digits in sacks for the third time in as many seasons, Quinn posted 14 tackles for loss, 37 quarterback pressures and 24 quarterback hits.
• The Carl Ekern Spirit of the Game Award, given to the player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, work ethic and commitment to his teammates, went to tight end Cory Harkey. In his third NFL season, Harkey emerged as a leader both on and off the field. He started 12 games and appeared in all 16 despite battling injuries throughout the season. Harkey’s versatility and toughness were invaluable to the Rams as he lined up in multiple spots as a fullback and move tight end. He served as the lead blocker for an offense that rushed for 1,635 yards and 11 touchdowns. Harkey, who's been dubbed Harkcules by teammates, added a touchdown catch and a reception on a two-point conversion.
• Drafted 13th overall in May, defensive Aaron Donald led all NFL rookies with nine sacks and finished second among all defensive tackles in that category. The Carroll Rosenbloom Memorial Award winner as team rookie of the year, Donald led the Rams with 17 tackles for loss and became the first rookie defender since 1971 to earn a Pro Bowl invitation.
• Punter Johnny Hekker, a third-year pro, continued his strong work in the community and was recognized as the team's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner. Hekker was co-chair along with kicker Greg Zuerlein and long snapper Jake McQuaide to launch "Kick Cancer,” an initiative that allowed individuals to pledge donations based on kicking points scored during the season, with proceeds going to SSM Health Care. In support of the initiative, Hekker teamed up with linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar for the RAM-oke karaoke event in September.
Hekker has also been heavily involved with Special Olympics and the NFL's Fuel Up to PLAY 60 program.
• Veteran center Scott Wells is this year’s winner of the Ed Block Courage Award, an honor given to a player who had to overcome some form of adversity. After developing flu-like symptoms late in last June's OTAs, Wells eventually ended up at the hospital where doctors found he was suffering from a bacterial infection called ehrlichia. It's believed he contracted the infection after being bitten by a tick. He spent four days in intensive care, with his body temperature spiking at 104.4 degrees, and lost nearly 20 pounds during his hospital stay.
Wells missed much of training camp as he worked to regain his strength but managed to start all 16 games this season.
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_3da645f2-4ac2-531b-805d-7044de709929.html
The Rams handed out their annual awards on Monday. The honors, determined by the vote of teammates, included:
• Defensive end Robert Quinn repeated as the Daniel F. Reeves Memorial Award as team MVP. Quinn, who was recently named to play in his second consecutive Pro Bowl, took home the MVP award after leading the Rams for the second straight season with 10 1/2 sacks. In addition to reaching double digits in sacks for the third time in as many seasons, Quinn posted 14 tackles for loss, 37 quarterback pressures and 24 quarterback hits.
• The Carl Ekern Spirit of the Game Award, given to the player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, work ethic and commitment to his teammates, went to tight end Cory Harkey. In his third NFL season, Harkey emerged as a leader both on and off the field. He started 12 games and appeared in all 16 despite battling injuries throughout the season. Harkey’s versatility and toughness were invaluable to the Rams as he lined up in multiple spots as a fullback and move tight end. He served as the lead blocker for an offense that rushed for 1,635 yards and 11 touchdowns. Harkey, who's been dubbed Harkcules by teammates, added a touchdown catch and a reception on a two-point conversion.
• Drafted 13th overall in May, defensive Aaron Donald led all NFL rookies with nine sacks and finished second among all defensive tackles in that category. The Carroll Rosenbloom Memorial Award winner as team rookie of the year, Donald led the Rams with 17 tackles for loss and became the first rookie defender since 1971 to earn a Pro Bowl invitation.
• Punter Johnny Hekker, a third-year pro, continued his strong work in the community and was recognized as the team's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner. Hekker was co-chair along with kicker Greg Zuerlein and long snapper Jake McQuaide to launch "Kick Cancer,” an initiative that allowed individuals to pledge donations based on kicking points scored during the season, with proceeds going to SSM Health Care. In support of the initiative, Hekker teamed up with linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar for the RAM-oke karaoke event in September.
Hekker has also been heavily involved with Special Olympics and the NFL's Fuel Up to PLAY 60 program.
• Veteran center Scott Wells is this year’s winner of the Ed Block Courage Award, an honor given to a player who had to overcome some form of adversity. After developing flu-like symptoms late in last June's OTAs, Wells eventually ended up at the hospital where doctors found he was suffering from a bacterial infection called ehrlichia. It's believed he contracted the infection after being bitten by a tick. He spent four days in intensive care, with his body temperature spiking at 104.4 degrees, and lost nearly 20 pounds during his hospital stay.
Wells missed much of training camp as he worked to regain his strength but managed to start all 16 games this season.