Johnny Hekker has another big week
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/14048/johnny-hekker-has-another-big-week
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Quietly, St. Louis Rams punter Johnny Hekker is putting together another strong season after another excellent performance this past Sunday against the San Diego Chargers.
Hekker didn't win ESPN's Punter of the Week honor for his week in San Diego but he came pretty close on his way to honorable mention. Mark A. Simon summed up Hekker's candidacy like this:
"Hekker not only averaged 44.5 yards on four unreturned punts, he had another successful fake punt late in the Rams' loss to the Chargers, a pass to Stedman Bailey that netted a first down.
Hekker is now 5-for-6 with 79 yards and a touchdown when passing in his career. All five completions have gone for first downs."
Hekker's completion to Bailey wasn't just a wobbling duck to an open receiver. It was a perfectly thrown and well-timed pass that kept the Rams' hopes alive in the fourth quarter. It's an ability that few other punters in the league have and makes Hekker a unique weapon for St. Louis.
After last year's breakout season ended with All-Pro honors and a trip to the Pro Bowl, Hekker is again putting together the type of season that could end in Hawaii.
Hekker is sixth in the league in net punting with an average of 41.87 yards per attempt. That's below his record-breaking pace of last season but still a top-level performance. Hekker is also seventh in total points added on punts and punt returns at 11.84.
The Rams aren't flush with players who are in the discussion for best at their position, but it's clear once again that Hekker belongs among the best punters in the league for the second consecutive season.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/14048/johnny-hekker-has-another-big-week
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Quietly, St. Louis Rams punter Johnny Hekker is putting together another strong season after another excellent performance this past Sunday against the San Diego Chargers.
Hekker didn't win ESPN's Punter of the Week honor for his week in San Diego but he came pretty close on his way to honorable mention. Mark A. Simon summed up Hekker's candidacy like this:
"Hekker not only averaged 44.5 yards on four unreturned punts, he had another successful fake punt late in the Rams' loss to the Chargers, a pass to Stedman Bailey that netted a first down.
Hekker is now 5-for-6 with 79 yards and a touchdown when passing in his career. All five completions have gone for first downs."
Hekker's completion to Bailey wasn't just a wobbling duck to an open receiver. It was a perfectly thrown and well-timed pass that kept the Rams' hopes alive in the fourth quarter. It's an ability that few other punters in the league have and makes Hekker a unique weapon for St. Louis.
After last year's breakout season ended with All-Pro honors and a trip to the Pro Bowl, Hekker is again putting together the type of season that could end in Hawaii.
Hekker is sixth in the league in net punting with an average of 41.87 yards per attempt. That's below his record-breaking pace of last season but still a top-level performance. Hekker is also seventh in total points added on punts and punt returns at 11.84.
The Rams aren't flush with players who are in the discussion for best at their position, but it's clear once again that Hekker belongs among the best punters in the league for the second consecutive season.
