Rams punter Johnny Hekker earns high praise from Giants coach Joe Judge

New York Giants coach Joe Judge conducted a uniquely cool press briefing on Wednesday when he started by giving a history lesson of the Rams’ franchise — New York visits the Rams on Sunday — and some of its great players, but what stood out was how much he admires Rams punter, Johnny Hekker.

That’s right ... the punter was a highlight of an opposing coach’s press conference. Don’t get me wrong, Hekker is a stud and the Rams are lucky to have him, but the punter usually doesn’t get that type of mid-week attention.

But here is the kicker (or the punter): Judge is a longtime special teams coach. He knows how a great punter can change a game.

“Special teams, it’s all starts with Johnny Hekker,” Judge said. “He really is a weapon ... he really is a quarterback of the special teams. He can change the game in many ways.”

Judge said the Giants coaches have told their players how big a part of the game Hekker will be. Looking at Judge’s history and it shouldn’t be a surprise how much Judge respects Hekker’s ability to change a game. He was New England’s special team coach when the Patriots beat the Rams in the Super Bowl after the 2018 season.

Prior to that game, New England coach Bill Belichick heaped similar praise on Hekker.