Aaron Donald is already 30, closing in on more records for the Rams

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Thousands of OAKS, Calif. No matter how many sacks Aaron Donald racks, he never stops thinking about quarterbacks getting away.

Donalds first game in his 30s last Sunday looked like most of his performances from his 20s for the Los Angeles Rams. The most dominant defensive lineman of the past seven NFL seasons messed up the Bears ’entire offense, continuing to draw double teams and changing Chicago’s game plan in the Rams’ 34-14 opener.

Donald essentially ended the Rams ’blowout win by eliminating Andy Dalton in the fourth down with 2:18 to play. But that moment faded from his mind compared to a play earlier in the fourth quarter where Dalton escaped from his grasp, running only into a sack by linebacker Justin Hollins.

I don’t know what’s going on, Donald said with a melancholy Thursday. I let the plays slip from my hands. I work on my grip all week, making sure everything will be fine. I changed my gloves. They are no longer moving away. I missed the play, but (Hollins) cleaned it up. I was more satisfied with myself, but happy for her.

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Just as Donald closed the Rams career record this week when the Rams visited Indianapolis (0-1), the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year shows zero sign of slippage after 30.

Donald has led the NFL in sacks since his rookie season with 86 1/2, though he barely stopped Chandler Jones (84 1/2) after the Arizona star five-sacks opened. Donald also led the league in tackles for loss (132) by a wide margin during his career.

In another sack, he will tie Leonard Little for the Rams franchise record although the record books do not officially count the prosperous career of Hall of Famer Deacon Jones, who played for Los Angeles from 1961-71 and made phrase the quarterback.

Perhaps more impressively, Donald is trying to complete an impressive victory this Sunday: He’s just starting his eighth NFL season, but he already has a sack against every team except the Colts.

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The Rams have only faced Indy once in his career, and Donald did not play in the 2017 game because he ended his contract holdout earlier that day, which also became Sean McVays coaching debut.

I was eager to get out there and play a game and win a game, Donald said when asked if he was eager to complete his entire NFL sack.

New life decade, both AD in almost every way, he says with a grin.

I feel the same, Donald said. I feel good. Man, I feel strong. I look good. I feel fast. I look like a firecracker. If anything, I think it’s pretty smart there, up to understanding a few things to play a little faster. It’s just the pain and soreness in time that lasts a bit longer. So that’s it.

The 30th birthday may be a time for reflection, but Donald has kept any insights into himself since reaching the milestone in May. In fact, much has changed in the field than this for the No. 1 stone proposal. 1 NFL defense in 2020: That’s because Donald’s wife, Erica, recently gave birth to her third child, a boy named Aaric who combined his parents ’names

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Thats all to me. That first, he said about being a father. That precedes anything else. Being present for my children, providing for my children, having them in my life, being a real Dad. Not only can they provide financially, but it’s in their lives to teach them good, bad, wrong, all sorts of things.

Donald still holds the potential failures of a skilled newborn.

No, I’m already asleep, Donald said. I have little motivation this year. … I was just blessing. I’m happy. It’s more motivation for me, you know?

The last thing the NFL needs left is Donald with too much motivation, but he’s still pushing for another Super Bowl with the Rams, who can take the significant step forward on the offense needed to keep up with their own impressive. until defense.

Matthew Stafford’s 321-yard performance against the Bears pushed Los Angeles to a comfortable win and provided more than enough support for a defense that has carried the Rams on for a long time over the past two seasons.

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Funny, Donald said. Any time your people are present scoring multiple touchdowns, it’s fun to watch.

NOTE: DT Sebastian Joseph-Day is limited to training, but everyone on the Rams roster was a full participant on Thursday. Joseph-Day (knee) is still expected to play Sunday.

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