Pro Bowl Voting: Which St. Louis Rams players deserve a nod?

by Ryan Van Bibber on Oct 25, 2010 12:20 PM CDT in 2010 St. Louis Rams season

Voting for the Pro Bowl is now underway over at NFL.com. It's pretty hard to think about the St. Louis Rams and the Pro Bowl after yesterday's game. However, it does serve as a good reminder that the a) this was just one bad game and b) the St. Louis Rams have more than one player who can make a case for inclusion in the Pro Bowl for the first time in years.

Voting wraps up on Dec. 20 and the winners will be announced on Dec. 28, so head on over and vote.

Some thoughts on Pro Bowl worthy Rams after the jump.

Steven Jackson, RB - This almost goes without saying. Jackson was a Pro Bowler last year, the first time the Rams had anyone at the game since 2006 when Jackson, Marc Bulger and Torry Holt represented the team. Jackson is on pace to top 1500 yards and had his third consecutive 100+ yard rushing game this week, passing Eric Dickerson as the franchise's leading rusher. It's hard not to include Jackson on your ballot.

James Laurinaitis, MLB - Despite their record, the Rams have limited opponents to 18 points or less in all but one game this season. A big reason for that is the play of Laurinaitis, who has emerged as the captain of a vastly improved Rams defense. He leads the team in tackles with 46 total and has a sack to boot. He almost padded his resume with an INT yesterday, but let's leave that alone for now.

James Hall, DE - Hall is tied for the 4th most sacks in the league with 6.5 sacks through 7 games. Hall has been a man reborn this season, part of a Rams defensive line that has taken a big leap forward. He has also forced three fumbles.

Chris Long, DE - Hall has the sacks, but Long has been the heart and soul of the front four, the guy who is helping his teammates pile up the sacks. Long, with 3.5, is second on the team in sacks, and was leading the league in QB pressures.

Those are the real standout candidates for the Rams, and I think each one of them has a legitimate claim to a Pro Bowl nod...a nod they won't get because they play for the Rams.

On the bubble is CB Ron Bartell who has been sharp in coverage, even playing through an injury yesterday. Interceptions make CBs sexy, and that's keeping Bartell out of the favorites. He has 10 games to continue making the case.

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Comments

well we know bartell and long wont be voted in

steven jackson most likely will be, and theres a possibility JL and hall will as well if they keep it up

by Buck Nasty87 on Oct 25, 2010 12:42 PM CDT reply actions

SJax should Go. No one else

After the way our defense has played in the 2nd halves of games this season, I have a hard time giving any of those players Pro Bowl nods. The Pro Bowl isn’t just a first half game you know….

by Jigzsaw on Oct 25, 2010 1:27 PM CDT reply actions

our defense didnt let us down in the second, our offense did

our defense was exhausted in the second

by Buck Nasty87 on Oct 25, 2010 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions

the defense

gave up 250 yards in the 2nd half…i’d say they played equally bad

by phx suns on Oct 25, 2010 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions

that happens when your on the field almost the entire half

by Buck Nasty87 on Oct 25, 2010 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions

I was thinking Fred Robbins and James Hall. Maybe Long if his #'s pick up some.

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Oct 25, 2010 2:08 PM CDT reply actions

Ughhh

Jax and Robbins. Robbins has been a huge reason for the improvement especially at his age.

Long is borderline. Hall is winning one on one battles from Long and Robbins’ great play so his numbers may be slightly inflated.

by 81 Witness on Oct 25, 2010 2:40 PM CDT reply actions

Inflated stats is what the pro bowl is all about!

SJax maybe…and you’re right about Hall’s numbers…a lot has to do with Long.

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Oct 25, 2010 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Are you kidding me right now? Probowl?

The only thing comparable to a Rams win is a 49er loss!

by DevsLaRams on Oct 25, 2010 4:01 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

The only guy on the Rams

who deserves to go to the Pro Bowl, and the only one with any real chance to make it, is #39. Everyone respects his play, and he is getting it done again this year. If he was on a winning team he would be an automatic for the game every year.

by andyhawk on Oct 25, 2010 5:32 PM CDT reply actions

Sam-the-Man?

How many timesin a game are they going to attempt these FREAKING timing patterns down the sidelines?? What and Where is Bradfords accuracy, that he is supposedly known for??…The Offense NOT the Defense blew it in the 2nd half! XCEPT SJAX!! I will always be a Faithfull Ram Fam for Life…But when i don’t see the quality and greatness that i know this team has! I GET PISSED!! RE-GROUP BOYS!! I’LL SEE YOU SUNDAY! :^)

by russianram on Oct 25, 2010 7:10 PM CDT reply actions

Steven Jackson already

I’d nominate Bartell if he carries on shutting down WRs and playing with guts.
Long, Robbins and Hall should also be considered if they continue, I don’t care about inflated stats. Hall has something like 6 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. Long probably leads the league in QB hits and pressures and is good vs run. Robbins has eaten up space inside for these guys to not just play well but DOMINATE.

I want to see OJ Atogwe finally get some recognition for his years of awesomeness, but his #s need to pick up.
Laurinaitus is a lock next season, needs more help from OLB’s to go this year.

if Clayton was healthy still, he’d definitely have to be considered too.

Bradford to Onobun!

by Infemous on Oct 25, 2010 7:39 PM CDT reply actions