Rams DT Aaron Donald beyond frustrated with 2016By Alden Gonzalez
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Star defensive tackle Aaron Donald has another Pro Bowl on his resume, but it's been another trying season for one of the game's fiercest competitors.
"It’s been tough," said Donald, his Los Angeles Rams sitting at 4-10. "It’s definitely been tough this year. I had high expectations for this year, thinking we were going to do some big things, and a lot of things just didn’t go the way we expected. But the only thing we can do is finish these last two games strong and try to build on what we have. Next year it’s going to be a totally different team."
A lot will change about the Rams in 2017 as the team marks its second season back in L.A. The head coach will certainly be different, as Jeff Fisher was fired Dec. 12. Soon the entire coaching staff will be overhauled, and the front office might be, too, if general manager Les Snead does not stay. Then the roster will change. The Rams need depth at linebacker, cornerback and safety. They need to inject talent at receiver, overhaul the offensive line and make decisions about several key free agents, most notably Trumaine Johnson, Kenny Britt, T.J. McDonald, Benny Cunningham, Greg Zuerlein and Case Keenum.
Simply put: They need to figure out ways surround Donald with the type of talent that will maximize his strength as the game's best interior pass-rusher.
Donald and standout punter Johnny Hekker were each named to their third Pro Bowl Tuesday night.
Donald has gone to the Pro Bowl every season he has been in the NFL, becoming the Rams' first defensive player to make three straight trips since cornerback Jerry Gray from 1986 to '89. Donald leads the NFL with 29 quarterback hits and is tied for the lead with 16 tackles for loss, adding seven sacks, four pass deflections and two forced fumbles despite being the focal point of opposing offensive coordinators every week.
Read Complete Article
[
www.espn.com]
