Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › Rams in the Pro Bowl
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January 23, 2015 at 4:27 pm #17376
znModeratorRams-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.
January 23, 2015 at 4:27 pm #17233znModeratorPro Bowl Draft Recap
Listen to defensive monsters Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn breakdown the 2015 Pro Bowl Draft.
http://www.stlouisrams.com/videos/videos/Pro-Bowl-Draft-Recap/3f19a7d0-742a-44db-9396-b1ccbc35cbae
January 24, 2015 at 5:43 pm #17307January 24, 2015 at 5:46 pm #17310znModeratorJeesh, their teaching him things.
That can only help.
Given that, they should send more players to the pro bowl.
January 24, 2015 at 5:54 pm #17311
wvParticipantJeesh, their teaching him things.
That can only help.
Given that, they should send more players to the pro bowl.
Yeah, thats a cool vid.
w
vJanuary 25, 2015 at 9:27 pm #17377znModeratorRams Quinn, Donald set for the Pro Bowl
By Joe Lyons
To be completely honest, Rams defensive end Robert Quinn would rather be in Hawaii.
“I’m a guy who loves the water and the beach, so obviously, I miss that part of it,’’ said Quinn, who’ll join rookie teammate and defensive tackle Aaron Donald with Team Irvin when the NFL’s best square off in the Pro Bowl Sunday at the University of Phoenix in Glendale, Ariz., which also happens to be the site of Super Bowl XLIX on Sunday, Feb. 1. The Pro Bowl, on ESPN, kicks off at 7 p.m.
With the exception of one season, the NFL all-star game from 1980 through 2014 was held at Aloha Stadium in Hawaii. The exception: in 2010, the game was played in Miami, site of that year’s Super Bowl.
The 2015 and 2016 Pro Bowls have been scheduled for Hawaii.
“It’s a nice vacation, especially at this time of year,’’ said Quinn, a team captain last year in his first Pro Bowl. “But I’m just proud to be here. To be voted to the Pro Bowl is a huge honor and a blessing. Being here and getting a chance to practice with and play against the best of the best, it’s something special.’’
Players are voted to the Pro Bowl by fellow players, coaches and fans. Before last year’s game, the league ditched the NFC vs. AFC format in favor of a televised player draft. On Wednesday, both Quinn and Donald were drafted by the team headed by ex-Cowboys star receiver Michael Irvin. The opposing squad is led by former Vikings’ standout receiver Cris Carter.
Thanks to the new format, the 2014 contest drew 11.4 million viewers, making it the most-watched all-star game in all sports during the last four years.
The game also features a number of rule changes to “spice’’ things up. A few of the more notable ones are:
• No kickoffs. Possessions will begin at the 25-yard line.
• Narrower uprights for extra points. In addition to moving conversions back to the 15-yard line, as was the case during some preseason games last summer, the uprights on extra points will be moved from 18 feet 6 inches to 14 feet.
• More timeouts. Teams will have two per quarter and they will be allowed to carry them over within that half.
• More two-minute warnings. There will be a two-minute warning at the end of each quarter. In addition, possession will be switched at the end of each period.
“It’s definitely different, but I think they’re just trying to add a little for the fans,’’ Quinn said.
Selected 14th overall by the Rams in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft, Quinn said nothing will ever top his first Pro Bowl but noted that this one figures to be similarly special.
“That first time, you’re so excited, just getting a chance to meet and get to know the guys you’ve played against,’’ he said. “It’s been a lot of fun this year, too, seeing those guys again and having a little more appreciation for what an honor like this means. The practices here are pretty low-key, but once we get to Sunday, I think everybody wants to make sure that they’re able to show why they’re here.’’
In 2013, Quinn was a no-doubt Pro Bowl selection after setting a franchise record with an NFC-leading 19 sacks and being named defensive player of the year by the Pro Football Writers Association of America.
But 2014 started slowly for the 24-year-old from the University of North Carolina. However, after failing to record a sack in the Rams’ first five games, the 6-foot-4, 264-pound Quinn came on strong to lead the Rams with 10 ½ sacks, marking his third straight season with double-digit sacks.
“It’s funny how rushing the passer works sometimes,’’ said Quinn, who led the Rams in quarterback hits (24), was second in pressures (37) and more than likely led the league in being held during 2014. “I was working hard, doing the same things I’d done in the past. The numbers weren’t there early, which was definitely frustrating for me, but I kept working at it and eventually they started coming again.’’
The Rams selected Donald with the 13th pick of the opening round last May and ended up with one of the league’s most productive first-year players. The 6-foot-1, 285-pounder from the University of Pittsburgh was voted the PFWAA defensive rookie of the year and joined a pair of teammates, running back Tre Mason and ex-Mizzou defensive back E.J. Gaines, on the all-rookie squad. Donald was a force inside, pacing all rookies with nine sacks and adding 17 tackles for loss, the most by an NFL interior lineman since the league started keeping track in 1997.
Donald is the first Rams rookie to earn a spot in the Pro Bowl since Jerome Bettis in 1993 and the first Rams rookie defender since Isiah Robertson in 1971.
“This was definitely one of my goals, but to accomplish it as a rookie, it’s like, ‘Wow.’’’ the 23-year-old Donald said. “These are the guys I grew up watching, so to be here with them, it’s really a blessing. It’s a been a fun trip, but at the same time, I’m also trying to make it a learning experience.’’
Donald said that getting a chance to experience the Pro Bowl with Quinn is a bonus.
“It just helps make everything that much more comfortable,’’ Donald said. “But it’s been that way all season. The guys on the team, especially the defensive linemen, they made me feel welcome as soon as I got here. They pushed me and helped me, but they also made things a lot of fun.’’
Donald said he is excited about the game.
“Football’s a fun sport, but it’s also a competition,’’ he said. “Any time I play, I’m looking to show out, to fly around and hopefully make plays. And I know I’m going to have fun doing it.’’
January 25, 2015 at 9:42 pm #17380
JackPMillerParticipantTo be completely honest, Rams defensive end Robert Quinn would rather be in Hawaii.
That is where I wish I could be also. It is cold/freezing, and we are going to get hit with a blizzard in my city. Yes, the evil white stuff is coming.
January 26, 2015 at 9:27 pm #17452znModeratorfrom off the net
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Phil AnselmoEven in the Pro Bowl Quinn gets held.
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