Rams punter Riley Dixon has some significant footwear to fill, and he is all set for the problem

He’s not just changing the punter.

When Riley Dixon signed in April with the Rams, he took the location of Johnny Hekker, a four-time All-Professional who performed 10 seasons for a group that received Tremendous Bowl LVI.

Hekker served as a crew captain and union representative, and he was among the team’s most lively individuals in neighborhood engagement.

“I’ve bought very little but the most respect and admiration for Johnny, just as a person on the subject, off the field, one particular of the best fellas you could attract up — and I consider that is why he’s so beloved listed here and everywhere else,” Dixon claimed previous week as the Rams commenced preparations for their opener in opposition to the Buffalo Expenses on Thursday night at SoFi Stadium. “But, you know, I never truly review myself to anyone.

“I’m not hoping to fill his shoes. I’m not hoping to be like Johnny. The ideal factor for me is remaining the ideal edition of myself, placing my finest food stuff ahead every day and just check out to put my crew and myself in the greatest posture to acquire football online games.”

Dixon, 29, is a six-calendar year veteran. He began his career in 2016 with the Denver Broncos — exactly where Rams specific teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis was on the staff. Dixon performed the past 4 seasons with the New York Giants.

Last season, he averaged 39.5 web yards per punt. He put 24 of 74 punts within the 20-property line. He was launched just after the season in a move that reportedly cleared $2.8 million in wage-cap space.

“There’s whole lot of issues I could have done greater,” he said. “I just try out to understand from what I have accomplished in the previous and be better the up coming time.”

Dixon acquired his chance simply because of a comparable price tag-reducing shift by the Rams. Hekker’s contract — he was thanks to have a $3.2-million income-cap range — and a career-low 44.2-garden punting common led the Rams to launch him at the begin of the new league small business 12 months. He subsequently signed with the Carolina Panthers.

Dixon, the holder for subject targets, has melded “seamlessly” with kicker Matt Homosexual and very long snapper Matthew Orzech, Homosexual explained.

“He’s definitely quick going… he matches ideal in,” Gay said, incorporating, “He’s an astounding holder…. And he’s just one hell of a punter.”

It continues to be to be found irrespective of whether Dixon can be a comparable passer.

In the course of his occupation, Hekker accomplished 14 of 23 passes for 186 yards and a landing, with an interception. Dixon has done one particular of 3 passes.

Rams kicker Matt Gay tries a subject goal through a preseason recreation against the Texans at SoFi Stadium.

(Kyusung Gong / Linked Press)

Gay is coming off a time in which he manufactured 32 of 34 discipline-purpose tries and was voted to the Pro Bowl for the very first time.

“I knew all alongside that I had that likely,” Gay said. “It was exciting to just go out there and put it on exhibit and show that I can.

“Now it’s my normal.”

Previous period, Rams distinctive-group units struggled early in the season but enhanced and performed a key purpose in the Tremendous Bowl operate.

“It was a mastering working experience for me but I’m just happy that they eventually started out enjoying jointly and we were being a favourable going into the next element of the season and then the playoffs,” DeCamillis explained. “So, I thought it was a serious fantastic testament to dealing with adversity and they came out on the other end and worked their tails off so it was excellent to see them do that.”

Very last November, the Rams signed Brandon Powell to the exercise squad. Right after rookie Tutu Atwell suffered a season-ending shoulder damage, Powell was finally elevated to the roster and emerged as the best punt returner. Powell’s 61-property landing return from the Minnesota Vikings sparked a late-period victory at Minnesota.

Atwell proceeds to exercise as a kick returner, but Powell appears entrenched.