Johnny Hekker and Robert Quinn Lead Rams On All-Pro Team

Sep 26, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Anthony Dixon (24) attempts to block the punt by St. Louis Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

You know your good when you make the Pro Bowl, but when you make the all-pro team, that’s when you know you’re elite. The All-Pro list came up today and for the first time since 2009 when former Rams running back, Steven Jackson, was an alternate, the Rams have two on the first team.

Both Johnny Hekker and Robert Quinn got voted in as first team all-pro selections. Hekker set an NFL record for best average net yards with 44.2 while Robert Quinn recorded a franchise record and NFC best 19 sacks. Quinn was also the highest rated 4-3 defensive end of pro football focus.

The Rams faired pretty well in the all-pro selections considering the teams with the most selections had five. Those teams being Kansas City, Cleveland, and San Francisco. Here is the full team:

Quarterback: Peyton Manning, Denver. No second team quarterback.

Running backs: LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia; Jamaal Charles, Kansas City

Second team: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota; Eddie Lacy, Green Bay

Fullback: Mike Tolbert, Carolina. Second team: Marcel Reese, Oakland.

Tight End: Jimmy Graham, New Orleans. Second team: Vernon Davis, San Francisco.

Wide receivers: Calvin Johnson, Detroit; Josh Gordon, Cleveland.

Second team: A.J. Green, Cincinnati; Demaryius Thomas, Denver and Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh.

Tackles: Joe Thomas, Cleveland; Jason Peters, Philadelphia.

Second team:Tyron Smith, Dallas; Joe Staley, San Francisco.

Guards: Louis Vasquez, Denver; Evan Mathis, Philadelphia.

Second team: Jahri Evans, New Orleans; Logan Mankins, New England and Josh Sitton, Green Bay.

Center: Ryan Kalil, Carolina. Second team: Alex Mack, Cleveland.

Defense

Defensive end: J.J. Watt, Houston; Robert Quinn, St. Louis.

Second team: Mario Williams, Buffalo; Greg Hardy, Carolina.

Defensive tackle: Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay; Ndamukong Suh, Detroit.

Second team: Dontari Poe, Kansas City; Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets, Jurell Casey, Tennessee and Justin Smith, San Francisco.

Outside linebackers: Robert Mathis, Indianapolis; Lavonte David, Tampa Bay.

Second team: Tamba Hali, Kansas City; Ahmad Brooks, San Francisco.

Inside linebackers: Luke Kuechly, Carolina; NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco.

Second team: Vontaze Burfict, Cincinnati; Karlos Dansby, Arizona.

Cornerbacks: Richard Sherman, Seattle; Patrick Peterson, Arizona.

Second team: Aqib Talib, New England; Joe Haden, Cleveland and Alterraun Verner, Tennessee.

Safeties: Earl Thomas, Seattle; Eric Berry, Kansas City.

Second team: Eric Weddle, San Diego; Kam Chancellor, Seattle, Jairus Byrd, Buffalo, T.J. Ward, Cleveland, Devin McCourty, New England and Antrel Rolle, New York Giants.

Special teams

Punter: Johnny Hekker, St. Louis. Second team: Brandon Fields, Miami.

Placekicker: Justin Tucker, Baltimore. Second team: Matt Prater, Denver.

Kick Returner: Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota. Second team: Dexter McCluster, Kansas City.

You know your team is moving in the right direction when you have two players being selected to the all-pro team, even if one if the punter. The Rams are moving in that right direction and with a few more pieces they will be serious contenders.

The days of 2-14 and 1-15 and having bad team after bad team are over Rams fans. The St. Louis Rams, for the first time in almost a decade, are respectable.