- Joined
- Jul 31, 2010
- Messages
- 8,874
Aaron Donald, Johnny Hekker earn honors
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/15408/aaron-donald-johnny-hekker-earn-honors
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- It's officially the awards season as various honors are being doled out in all corners of the NFL landscape. The St. Louis Rams aren't taking home much of that hardware, but a couple of players did add to their resumes on Monday.
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who is widely regarded as the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, claimed that same award from the folks over at Pro Football Focus. Punter Johnny Hekker, meanwhile, claimed All-NFC punter honors from the Pro Football Writers of America.
PFF named Donald its best defensive rookie and the runner up to New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. for overall rookie of the year honors. He now adds that award to his Pro Bowl berth and an ever-growing list of places that have named him Defensive Rookie of the Year. The PFWA will announce that award this week as well and the "official" award will be handed out at the NFL Honors ceremony on Jan. 31.
That PFF showed Donald so much love should come as no surprise. The site graded Donald as its best defensive tackle in the entire league after his nine-sack debut.
Hekker has become no stranger to these awards, either. He was an All Pro selection for his record-setting efforts in 2013 and though his numbers dipped just a bit this year, he was still among the most productive punters in the league. Hekker had a net average of 42.3 yards and also made an impact on fakes by completing key passes on fake punts to keep drives alive and, in the case of the team's win against Seattle, seal a victory. Hekker signed a new contract with the team in late November that makes him the highest-paid punter in the league in terms of guaranteed money.
Indianapolis punter Pat McAfee was named the All-NFL punter.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/15408/aaron-donald-johnny-hekker-earn-honors
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- It's officially the awards season as various honors are being doled out in all corners of the NFL landscape. The St. Louis Rams aren't taking home much of that hardware, but a couple of players did add to their resumes on Monday.
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who is widely regarded as the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, claimed that same award from the folks over at Pro Football Focus. Punter Johnny Hekker, meanwhile, claimed All-NFC punter honors from the Pro Football Writers of America.
PFF named Donald its best defensive rookie and the runner up to New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. for overall rookie of the year honors. He now adds that award to his Pro Bowl berth and an ever-growing list of places that have named him Defensive Rookie of the Year. The PFWA will announce that award this week as well and the "official" award will be handed out at the NFL Honors ceremony on Jan. 31.
That PFF showed Donald so much love should come as no surprise. The site graded Donald as its best defensive tackle in the entire league after his nine-sack debut.
Hekker has become no stranger to these awards, either. He was an All Pro selection for his record-setting efforts in 2013 and though his numbers dipped just a bit this year, he was still among the most productive punters in the league. Hekker had a net average of 42.3 yards and also made an impact on fakes by completing key passes on fake punts to keep drives alive and, in the case of the team's win against Seattle, seal a victory. Hekker signed a new contract with the team in late November that makes him the highest-paid punter in the league in terms of guaranteed money.
Indianapolis punter Pat McAfee was named the All-NFL punter.
