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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Cameron DaSilva

Rams DL coach says Defensive Rookie of the Year is ‘so rigged for 1st-rounders’

No one is pounding the table for Kobie Turner to win Defensive Rookie of the Year more than Rams D-line coach Eric Henderson. He’s had a front-row seat for Turner’s development and flat-out dominance as a rookie this year, watching the stud defensive tackle rack up nine sacks (tied for the most ever by a rookie DT), eight tackles for a loss and 15 quarterback hits.

Despite Turner’s eye-popping numbers, he wasn’t even among the favorites to win Defensive Rookie of the Year until the books adjusted on Wednesday and listed him with the third-best odds behind Jalen Carter and Will Anderson Jr.

Henderson caught wind of the updated odds and he shared his unfiltered opinion, calling the award “so rigged for 1st rounders to win.” He says Turner is being penalized for being drafted in the third round and “can’t stand it.”

Peter Schrager of NFL Network is aboard the “Turner for Defensive Rookie of the Year” train, too. Henderson replied to Schrager’s argument in favor of Turner winning the award, and he said again, “it’s not close.”

Add Andrew Whitworth to Turner’s corner, as well. He wants everyone to show Turner some respect during this remarkable season.

Henderson replied to Whitworth’s tweet and said Turner is “better than the majority of the league for an interior guy, let alone this year’s rookie group.

The guy Turner tied for the most sacks in a season by a rookie defensive tackle, Aaron Donald, also wants to see The Conductor win Defensive Rookie of the Year.

If Turner doesn’t win Defensive Rookie of the Year, Henderson might run on stage at the NFL Honors show in February and let everyone know who should’ve taken home the hardware.

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