When the Rams host the Bills on Sunday, one player will find a little extra meaning in the contest.
Two years ago, when Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald qualified for the Pro Bowl over Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, former Jets coach Rex Ryan complained about the move, not by building up Richardson but by taking shots at Donald.
Ryan said at the time he was “kind of shocked” by Donald’s selection over Richardson, and then Ryan said this: “If it kept him out of the Pro Bowl because some guy had ‘X’ amount of sacks, and that guy can’t hold his jock as a player, to be honest with you, I think that’s kind of strange to me.”
A source with knowledge of Donald’s position on the matter tells PFT that the comments “struck a chord” with Donald, and that Donald keenly remembers what Ryan said.
So look for Donald to have extra motivation on Sunday -- and look for Donald and Ryan to be asked about Ryan’s comments in the days leading up to the game.