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Rams-related notes: Pro Bowl
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/15685/rams-related-notes-pro-bowl
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Yes, there is at least some sort of football being played Sunday. Or is it there's football being played Sunday, sort of? Either way, the NFL's annual all-star game, the Pro Bowl, is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN from Glendale, Arizona, which means we have reason to continue our postseason ritual of taking a look at the game from a St. Louis Rams perspective.
Without further ado, here's a look at the Pro Bowl for those looking for Rams angles:
We don't have the scan the rosters of Team Michael Irvin and Team Cris Carter to find players who once played for the Rams. This time, there are actually a pair of current Rams playing. Defensive end Robert Quinn and defensive tackle Aaron Donald are representing the Rams, both on Team Irvin. It's probably safe to assume that duo will get to be on the field together at times throughout the night, which should make life difficult for Team Carter quarterbacks Andrew Luck, Andy Dalton and Drew Brees.
Team Irvin is coached by the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff and comes with a decidedly distinct Cowboys flavor. Team Irvin also features Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, running back DeMarco Murray, tight end Jason Witten, tackle Tyron Smith, guard Zack Martin, long snapper L.D. Ladouceur and center Travis Frederick. One of the coaches, of course, is Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, the former head coach in St. Louis.
In making a Pro Bowl appearance as a rookie, Donald becomes the first Rams rookie to earn the honor since running back Jerome Bettis in 1993. He's the first Rams rookie defender to make it since Isiah Robertson in 1971. Donald earned the trip after leading all rookies with nine sacks on his way to the Pro Football Writers of America's Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Quinn is making his second consecutive Pro Bowl appearance after making his debut in Hawaii in last year's game. Quinn is the first Rams defender to go to the Pro Bowl in consecutive seasons since defensive back Jerry Gray in 1988 and 1989. Quinn was a Pro Bowl captain last year and earned his spot after leading the Rams with 10.5 sacks this season and ranking first among all defensive ends with five forced fumbles. In last year's game, Quinn had a sack, a tackle for loss and a pass deflection that led to an interception for Team Jerry Rice.
Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins and punt returner Tavon Austin were Pro Bowl alternates but neither ultimately got the invitation. Although Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman and New England cornerback Darrelle Revis dropped out of the game for Super Bowl preparations, Jenkins wasn't high enough on the alternate list to go. Green Bay's Sam Shields and Miami's Brent Grimes replaced that duo. Philadelphia's Darren Sproles and Atlanta's Devin Hester were originally selected as the return specialists and both are playing in the game.
Thinking out loud here, but which Rams on the current roster do I expect to be mentioned as Pro Bowlers in these notes at this time next year? Aside from Donald and Quinn, both of whom should be making return trips many times over in their careers, I'd point to punter Johnny Hekker, safety T.J. McDonald and, as a dark horse, guard Rodger Saffold assuming his shoulder surgery helps him play a full season healthy next year, as realistic possibilities.
This is normally where I'd offer the sure to be wrong prediction but since this is an exhibition game, I'll pass on trying to guess what's going to happen. For those that choose to watch, enjoy. For those that don't, take solace in the fact that we're now only a week away from the Super Bowl.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/15685/rams-related-notes-pro-bowl
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Yes, there is at least some sort of football being played Sunday. Or is it there's football being played Sunday, sort of? Either way, the NFL's annual all-star game, the Pro Bowl, is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN from Glendale, Arizona, which means we have reason to continue our postseason ritual of taking a look at the game from a St. Louis Rams perspective.
Without further ado, here's a look at the Pro Bowl for those looking for Rams angles:
We don't have the scan the rosters of Team Michael Irvin and Team Cris Carter to find players who once played for the Rams. This time, there are actually a pair of current Rams playing. Defensive end Robert Quinn and defensive tackle Aaron Donald are representing the Rams, both on Team Irvin. It's probably safe to assume that duo will get to be on the field together at times throughout the night, which should make life difficult for Team Carter quarterbacks Andrew Luck, Andy Dalton and Drew Brees.
Team Irvin is coached by the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff and comes with a decidedly distinct Cowboys flavor. Team Irvin also features Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, running back DeMarco Murray, tight end Jason Witten, tackle Tyron Smith, guard Zack Martin, long snapper L.D. Ladouceur and center Travis Frederick. One of the coaches, of course, is Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, the former head coach in St. Louis.
In making a Pro Bowl appearance as a rookie, Donald becomes the first Rams rookie to earn the honor since running back Jerome Bettis in 1993. He's the first Rams rookie defender to make it since Isiah Robertson in 1971. Donald earned the trip after leading all rookies with nine sacks on his way to the Pro Football Writers of America's Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Quinn is making his second consecutive Pro Bowl appearance after making his debut in Hawaii in last year's game. Quinn is the first Rams defender to go to the Pro Bowl in consecutive seasons since defensive back Jerry Gray in 1988 and 1989. Quinn was a Pro Bowl captain last year and earned his spot after leading the Rams with 10.5 sacks this season and ranking first among all defensive ends with five forced fumbles. In last year's game, Quinn had a sack, a tackle for loss and a pass deflection that led to an interception for Team Jerry Rice.
Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins and punt returner Tavon Austin were Pro Bowl alternates but neither ultimately got the invitation. Although Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman and New England cornerback Darrelle Revis dropped out of the game for Super Bowl preparations, Jenkins wasn't high enough on the alternate list to go. Green Bay's Sam Shields and Miami's Brent Grimes replaced that duo. Philadelphia's Darren Sproles and Atlanta's Devin Hester were originally selected as the return specialists and both are playing in the game.
Thinking out loud here, but which Rams on the current roster do I expect to be mentioned as Pro Bowlers in these notes at this time next year? Aside from Donald and Quinn, both of whom should be making return trips many times over in their careers, I'd point to punter Johnny Hekker, safety T.J. McDonald and, as a dark horse, guard Rodger Saffold assuming his shoulder surgery helps him play a full season healthy next year, as realistic possibilities.
This is normally where I'd offer the sure to be wrong prediction but since this is an exhibition game, I'll pass on trying to guess what's going to happen. For those that choose to watch, enjoy. For those that don't, take solace in the fact that we're now only a week away from the Super Bowl.