The Los Angeles Rams 2016 season involved many different media angles. Aside from the entire relocation of the franchise to Los Angeles, 2016 saw the departure of the head coach Jeff Fisher and the introduction of No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff.
However, the season hasn’t panned out exactly as the franchise thought it would, as the Rams currently sit with a 4-11 record, third in the AFC West. With interim head coach John Fassel having two regular season games remaining, this opportunity serves as an early audition for the offseason and the outlook moving forward for the Rams.
On Tuesday, the NFL announced the rosters for the 2017 Pro Bowl, which this year will be played at the Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium. The Rams ended up with two selections from this season, coming from different facets of the game.
Defensive lineman Aaron Donald was selected to his second consecutive Pro Bowl, as was the case with punter Johnny Hekker. Last season, Donald, Hekker and Todd Gurley were the only participants from the Rams to make the All-Star game, as the list shrunk to two this season.
In 14 starts this season, Donald has 42 tackles (32 solo), with seven sacks, four passes defended and two forced fumbles. Donald has been the base of this defense, with him drawing much of the attention from the opposing offensive lines.
The constant double teams he has received this season can be frustrating, as the 25-year-old continues battling through and rising to the occasion. While he garners the most attention, it has cleared up opportunities for his teammates to get to the quarterback.
Hekker’s second consecutive Pro Bowl selection didn’t come as a surprise, as he has been breaking records this season. Upon Hekker downing one more punt inside the 20-yard line, he will set a NFL record.
The special teams player and former quarterback has been pivotal for the Rams, giving opposing teams horrid starting position, while always posing a threat for a fake punt.
The two Pro Bowl selections for the Rams are surely a building block, as the team heads towards the offseason in an attempt to garner a high profile coach to return to glory with.
