{"id":23704,"date":"2017-07-12T13:27:03","date_gmt":"2017-07-12T17:27:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=23704"},"modified":"2021-05-30T16:13:01","modified_gmt":"2021-05-30T20:13:01","slug":"johnny-hekker-believes-coaches-old-new-ready-make-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/07\/12\/johnny-hekker-believes-coaches-old-new-ready-make-impact\/","title":{"rendered":"Johnny Hekker: Coaches Old and New Ready To Make Impact for Los Angeles Rams"},"content":{"rendered":"

On July 12, players from the teams playing in the International Series games assembled in London, England to participate in NFL UK\u2019s Summer Bowl. A flag football tournament for British school kids, it gave Last Word on Sport a chance to catch up with some NFL players who will be taking part in 2017’s NFL games in London. Here we talk to punter\u00a0Johnny Hekker<\/a><\/strong> of the Los Angeles Rams about how coaches old and new are ready to make an impact.<\/p>\n

Johnny Hekker: Coaches Old and New Ready To Make Impact for Los Angeles Rams<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s easy to doubt a team with a 31-year-old head coach, even one as clearly talented as Sean McVay<\/strong>. But Hekker isn\u2019t having any of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he\u2019s historically young, but he\u2019s a guy that doesn\u2019t lack for experience and wisdom,” Hekker emphasized.<\/p>\n

What has he seen so far from McVay and his staff to convince him of this?<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s totally taken hold of the team,” Hekker noted. “(He’s) got a great grasp of what it takes to build a winning team not just culture-wise, but by creating an environment where we can just communicate openly and honestly across all levels for the team. It\u2019s a fun environment to be part of.”<\/p>\n

But It’s More Than Just The New Staff<\/h3>\n

But it\u2019s not just the new coaching staff Hekker thinks highly of. He has special praise for coordinator John Fassell<\/strong>, and explains why Fassell remains on a team despite a large number of new staff.<\/p>\n

\u201cCoach Fassell is one of the best coaches I\u2019ve ever had regardless of position or level of play,” Hekker said. “He\u2019s a guy that just has undeniable energy and just gets people to play. It\u2019s been a kind of deal that he\u2019s been retained because of his production as a coach and the environment he fosters as a coach. I owe a lot of my success to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Rams Can Surprise A Few People<\/h3>\n

Year two in Los Angeles is going to be tough, but Hekker doesn\u2019t believe playing in such a competitive city puts additional pressure on the players.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe NFL is a production-based business,” he stated. “We\u2019ve got to win to fill seats, so there\u2019s always pressure to win. We just want to produce and give LA something to cheer about.\u201d<\/p>\n

And his second year quarterback Jared Goff<\/a> <\/strong>might be the guy who gives the residents of LA that something.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I mean just watching him during OTAs and offseason workouts, you can tell he\u2019s put in a lot of work to improve,\u201d Hekker noted.<\/p>\n

In fact, Hekker believes the Rams offense, under the tutelage of an offensive expert in McVay, can surprise a few people.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve made some key acquisitions in Robert Woods<\/a><\/strong> and Andrew Whitworth<\/a><\/strong> and (added) solid rookie picks too,” the Rams punter said. “Hopefully we\u2019ll spread the ball around and be really fun to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n