Rams Notebook: Pro Bowl voters bypass Little

[RamWraith]

By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Wednesday, Dec. 20 2006

Every week on game day, opposing players and coaches show tons of respect for
Rams defensive end Leonard Little.

Along with the opposing offensive tackle, Little almost always faces a tight
end or a back. Sometimes, it's a tight end AND a back, meaning Little must
navigate through three layers of blockers en route to the quarterback.

But when it came to Pro Bowl voting, Little didn't get much respect this year.
Despite ranking second in the NFC with 12 sacks, Little was snubbed. Green
Bay's Aaron Kampman (12½ sacks), Carolina's Julius Peppers (11) and New
Orleans' Will Smith (10½) earned the three NFC berths at defensive end. Little
is first alternate, meaning he would go to the Pro Bowl if Kampman, Peppers or
Smith is unable to attend.

"It's supposed to be coaches and players (voting)," Little said Tuesday. "If
they think that I shouldn't have made it, then quit blocking me like they're
blocking me every Sunday. Just let me go out there and go one-on-one. From the
way they approach me in a game, it's showing a sign of respect. But as far as
this, it's not."

Little's effectiveness goes beyond his sack total. He has forced six fumbles,
including one against Green Bay's Brett Favre that preserved a 23-20 victory
Oct. 8. He also holds up well against the run. Nonetheless, Little realizes
most Pro Bowl voters base their decisions strictly on sack totals. And when the
voting took place last week, Little trailed Kampman, Peppers and Smith. Little
had two sacks Sunday in Oakland, after the voting had taken place, raising his
sack total from 10 to 12.

"I would say it's on me, because I missed a lot of sacks this season," Little
said. "I missed like six or seven sacks. If I wouldn't have missed those,
definitely I would have been in there. There would have been no question. ...
We're not really playing well on defense, so I guess they look at that, too."

Coach Scott Linehan was surprised and disappointed that Little didn't make it.

"I certainly think he's had a great year, and a Pro Bowl year," Linehan said.
"I think any time a guy who gets double-teamed every down has double-digit
sacks, he should be (rewarded) for it."

The day wasn't a total loss for Little. He presented new cleats to the high
school football team at Miller Career Academy. In a visit to the school in
November, Little told the team he would buy them new cleats if they won their
Class 3 playoff game against Westminster. Miller responded with a 24-14
victory, and Little made good on his promise Tuesday.

"I think they were fired up," Little said. "They opened the boxes and liked the
shoes. I'm just glad to see smiles on their faces."

Turk honored

Rams punter Matt Turk has been named NFC special teams player of the week for
his punting — and running — in Sunday's 20-0 victory over Oakland. Turk
averaged 48.8 yards on five punts, including a 74-yarder. Turk also ran 16
yards for a first down out of punt formation.

[general counsel]

Pro bowl or not, thanks goodness we have him locked up and under contract at what i believe was a STEAL of a price compared to what he would have gotten if he hit the open market.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[tomahawk247]

you can tell how weird this season is
when our punter gets voted as special teams player of the week, something is wrong. we need turk signed, and now.

[Varg6]

you can tell how weird this season is
when our punter gets voted as special teams player of the week, something is wrong. we need turk signed, and now.

Yeah that is definitely a scary thought!