Ram Pages
Covering the Cleveland, Los Angeles, and St. Louis Rams
Monday, May 22, 2017
Friday, February 24, 2017
Rams Receive 3rd and 4th round compensaroy picks in 2017 NFL
As a result of losingJanoris Jenkins , Rodney McLeod and Nick Fairley and not signing any major free agent the Rams have been awarded the 100th pick and 141st pick in the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft. However, the Rams, in the deal for Jared Goff, will send the 100th pick to Tennessee but will get to keep their own pick in the third round.
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Rams Career-Year Team
By "Career-year" we mean the best performances at each position, with the following rule: Only one season per player per position. For example, here, we cannot pick Eric Dickerson’s
Here is the team, First-teams on left, Second-teams on
The Second-team nods go to Jim Benton, 1945 (45 receptions, 1067 yards for a 23.7 yard average and 8 TDs in nine games), and Harold Jackson, 1973 (40-874-21.9-13), both All-Pros and with big numbers for their respective eras. Benton was Bob Watefield's top target in the 1945 championship season and Jackson ran through secondaries all through 1973.
The list
The list of third/fourth wide
Rich Saul, 1980, and Doug Smith, 1988
Tom Mack, 1969, and Tom Newberry, 1988, are the First-team guards. The Second-
Jackie Slater, 1986, Orlando Pace, 2003 and the top two tackles. Slater's 1980 was close, he was dominant in the run game that year, but in 1986 he was the NFLPA NFC Offensive lineman oft the Year and allowed only 1½ sacks and was called for only one holding penalty.
Irv Pankey, 1988, and Charlie Cowan, 1973, are next in line as the top two honorable mentions. Pankey, after several years of playing second fiddle to Jackie Slater was an All-pro and rated higher by scouts in 1988. Cowan, whose career is something akin to Ernie McMillian and Winston Hill in that they were never First-team All-pros and also switched sides of the line in their careers, had a great season
Bill Bain, 1984, and Chet Adams, 1942, were All-Pros.
Two non-All-Pro HMs are Gerald Perry, 1992, and Wayne Gandy, 1996. Perry was rated the top tackle in
The modern blocking fullback was almost pioneered by Mike Guman, who was called a U-back, because he'd move prior to snap, would line up as an extra tight end, a wing, an up-back and fullback then they'd use the "I". H
The third-down back is Amp Lee, 1997, when he had over 800 receiving yards, first, then Robert Delpino, 1988 and honorable mention Marshall Faulk, 2005.
The starting running backs are as deep as the receivers. We were going to go with 1983 for Eric Dickerson due to his contributions to the short passing game that year, but in 1984 he was a one-man offense as the Rams lost starting quarterback Vince Ferregamo. Backup Jeff K
Marshall Faulk's 1999 and 2001 season were great, but in 2000, with Warner down, Faulk had to do a bit more and was the NFL MVP so that season gets the other spot.
All-Pros Dan Towler, 1952, and Johnny Drake, 1940, get the Second-team positions. The honorable mentions are Lawrence McCutcheon, 1974 (his top receiving season), Jerome Bettis, 1993, Steven Jackson, 2006 (1528 yards rushing, 90 receptions and 16 total touchdowns), Dick Bass, 1962, Todd Gurley, 2015, and Tank Younger, 1954. All except Steven Jackson and Todd Gurley were First-team All-pros, they were, rather, Second-team All-Pros.
The top quarterback is Kurt Warner's 1999. The Second-team is MVP and World Champ Bob Watefield's 1945. Warner was and easy pick, championship, wins, honors (MVP) stats, the whole package. Waterfield gets the nod over the rest of the honorable mentions due to the Championship be brought Cleveland.
NFL MVP Roman Gabriel was right behind Waterfield and is an honorable mention. Gabriel's 1967 season was also considered. NFC Player of the Year John Hadl, 1973, Pro Bowler Jim Everett, 1989, Vince Ferregamo, 1980, Norm Van Brocklin, 1953, and NFL MVP Parker Hall, 1939 are the honorable mentions with Gabriel.
Everett's 1988 season was neck-and-neck with 1989, but due to comebacks and other intangibles, we chose 1989 over 1988.Hadl slumped late in 1973 and in 1974 and that led to his trade to the Packers, but for a while in 1973 he was the top QB in football. Ferregamo didn't get many honors in 1980 but he was able to get the ball downfield regularly and the Rams were able to score quickly, something they really hadn't done since 1973. Hall was a tailback in the single wing, but he was the passer for the Cleveland Rams and broke several of Sammy Baugh's passing records in 1939.
Backing the First-team up are Robert Quinn, 2013, and Kevin Carter, 1999. Quinn had 19 sacks, 7 forced fumbles and was the PFWA NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Carter playedon the NFL's top run defense, led the NFL with 17 sacks and 4 FF, was All-Pro and Dallas Morning News's Defensive Player of the Year. Not bad for Second-teamers .
A deep group of honorable mentions starts with a pair of All-Pros Fred Dryer, 1974, and Leonard Little, 2003.Dryer was All-Pro and one of the top sackers in the NFL (15) and Little was also All-Pro and was the best player on the Rams in 2003. He sacked the passer 12.5 times, made stops in the backfield, had six forced fumbles even scored on an interception return.
NFL Alumni Defensive Lineman of the Year Chris Long, 2011, who had 13 sacks and gutted it out on a bum ankle late in the season and was also a Pro Bowl first alternate and led the NFL DEs in hits/hurries according to both Pro Football FocusandFootball Outsiders. All-Pro Andy Robustelli, 1955, is next on the list with Long and in 1955 his pass rush wasn't quite as succesfull as in past years, but he scored two defensive touchdowns and his rush was still plenty strong. Long and Robustelli are followed by Coy Bacon, 1971 (Second-team All-Pro, 58 tackles, 11½ sacks plus 13.5 stuffs, 4 deflected passes, and interception and 2 blocked kicks) and All-Pro Larry Brink, 1951. We are leaving off several excellent seasons, both here at defensive end and at defensive tackle, which shows how deep the Rams defensive linemen have been over the years.
Merlin Olsen, 1969, and Aaron Donald, 2015 grab the top DT spots. Olsen was so steady in his career that it was very hard to pick a "career year" but 1969 seemed to fit the bill with 92 tackles, 10 for losses and 11 sacks. For Olsen 1968, 1970, 1972-75 also were worthy of selection. Donald edged out Larry Brooks, in that he was the NFC Defensive Player of the Year, a consensus All-Pro and had 11 sacks and 13.5 stuffs, 27 hits on the quarterback to match with his 69 tackles and did so while being double-teamed 40% of the time.
The Second-teamers are Larry Brooks, 1976 (Pro Bowl, 74 tackles, 14½ sacks, 11.5 stuffs and 3 forced fumbles), and D'Marco Farr, 1995. Brooks was a Second-team All-pro in 1974 and 1978 and a First-team All-pro in 1977 and 1979 but 1976 seemed special after coming back from a severe knee injury he sustained in 1975.
Farr might get a few raised eyebrows since players like Rosey Grier and Roger Brown fell behindhim, but remember, Grier and Brown's best seasons were in New York and Detroit. When they came to LA they were still very good, but not All-Pros as they once had been. Grier, 1963 (Second-team All-Pro) and Brown, 1967 (Pro Bowl) do deserve honorable mention but truly, Farr's 1995 season is a hidden gem. He was aDallas Morning News All-Pro and had 11 sacks and 11.5 stuffs and 5 forced fumbles and an interception and a kick block to go with his 50 tackles.
Dick Huffman, 1949, are Bob Reinhard, 1950, next. They come asrecommendation of T.J. Troup, who stated that both were simply dominant in their respective seasons. Huffman was All-Pro and in 1949 he was a "beast" and Reinhard was "unblockable " in 1950.
Bud McFadin, 1955 (Pro Bowl), All-Pro Sean Gilbert, 1993 (81 tackles, 6 stuffs and 10.5 sacks) get special mention as doesDiron Talbert who had 61 tackles, 11 sacks and 10.5 stuffs in 1970.
Jack Reynolds, 1975 and a tie between Jim Collins, 1984, and London Fletcher, 2000 get the top slots. Reynolds, like Jones, Olsen and Youngblood was so consistent that picking one season was not easy, but in 1975 he had 123 tackles and a pick and was a Pro Bowler and according to defensive coordinator Ray Malavasi never missed a signal or call from the sidelines. Collins was a Sporting News All-Pro and had 185 tackles, 10 passes deflected and 2 interceptions and was excellent in coverage from his RILB position.
London Fletcher did so much in 2000 to try and keep defense together, he'd cover, get after the quarterback, stuff running backs. He kept a cool head in 2000, the season between 1999 and 2001 (both top-notch defenses) and earned the Second-team pick here. For the season he had 133 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 4 interceptions.
Les Richter, 1956, Mo Pottios, 1968 (109 tackles), Marlin McKeever, 1971 (108 tackles, 4 picks), Will Witherspoon, 2007 (110 tackles, 7 sacks, 7 passesdefensed ), Carl Ekern, 1986 (98 tackles Second-team All-NFC), and James Laurinaitis, 2011 (142 tackles, 9 were stuffs , 7 passes defensed, 3 sacks, 2 picks and was a Pro Bowl alternate) Richter was usually behind Joe Schmidt, Sam Huff and Bill george in the All-Pro voting, but in 1956 he was a cut above. Witherspoon had a good year on a terrible team and in passing downs he was often a rusher in a 33 nickle defense.
Isiah Robertson, 1 973, and Kevin G reene, 1989, was Second-team All-Pro, a ProBowle r . Rob ertson was the de fa cto NFC Defensive Player of the Year according to AP and Prolog the NFL's official magazine. He also had other qualified seasons, such as 1975 and 1976, for example. In 1973 he had 58 tackles, 3 picks, one for a score and 8 passes defensed on the NFL's #1 defense. Greene had 64 tackles, 16.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. His 1988 season was very similar and could have been picked as well.
Maxie Baughan, 1967, and Jack Pardee, 1963, are the Second-team selections. Pardee, in 1967 was close, he had 6 interceptions and 2 returned for scores, but in 1963 he did a lot with a much less talented unit and was First-team All-Pro. Baughan, always solid was a tough one in that 1966 and 1968 were also great year, 1967 he had more big plays, 4 picks, 10 tackles for loss among his 81 tackles.
Don Paul, 1953, Jim Youngblood, 1979, Roman Phifer, 1995, Mike Wilcher, 1985 Mark Barron, 2015 Alec Ogletree, 2013 Mel Owens, 1985, and Bob Nrudzinski, 1979 are all honorable mentions. Paul was a Pro Bowler, Youngblood was Second-team All-Pro and picked off 5 passes, returning one for a TD, defensed 9 more and had 73 tackles, (his 1978 season was considered, too).
Phifer likely should have been All-Pro in 1995 (125 tackles, 11 stuffs, 3 picks, 3 sacks and 12 passesdefensed ). Wilcher had 97 tackles and 12.5 sacks in 1985. Mark Barron led the NFL in run/pass stuffs in 2015 with 18.5. Ogletree set Ram record for FF by a linebacker with six and Owens covered tight ends with abandon in 1985 and had 9 sacks as well. Brudzinski had 127 tackles, plus 5 sacks, 14 passes defensed and a pick and in Joel Buchsbaum's Pro Football Weekly reporting was a "9+ versus the run and a 6 versus the pass" with 9 being the highest score in the scale. Tank Youngerwas a Pro Bowler in 1951, and played both fullback and left linebacker, and he deserves a spot as well. Jo-Lonn Dunbar's 2012 season was sepcial , too. Tha year he had 112 tackles, 15 run /passstuffs (thrid in NFL in that department) 4.5 sacks, forced 2 fumbles and intercepted 2 passes. Last but not least is Mike Jones who scored 3 defensive touchdowns in 1999 and saved the Super Bowl for the Rams.
Night Train Lane, 1952, and Monte Jackson, 1976, both with monster seasons grab the top spots and behind them are Aeneas Williams, 2001, and Woodly Lewis, 1950.
Lane still holds the record for interceptions in a season with 14. Jackson was the NFL's top defensive back in 1976, had 10 interceptions, returning 3 to the house. Williams was an All-Pro and amajor cog in the 2001 rebuilt Rams defense after the disaster in 2000 and Lewis had 12 picks.
Pat Thomas, 1980, and Rod Perry, 1978, Jerry Gray, 1989, Todd Lyght, 1999, and LeRoy Irvin, 1986 were all First-team All-Pros except for Rod Perry who was All-NFC and all are honorable mentions here. Allof the above were very consistent. All were good in coverage and Thomas, especially could force running plays. All would hit and tackle. Two non-All-Pro types have to be recognized, Gene Howard, 1971, and Clancy Williams, 1968. Howard picked off 6 passes and only allowed one touchdown pass all season and even had 3 stuffs among his 54 tackles and also deflected 13 passes. Williams intercepted 7 passes and was a major part of the Rams leading the NFL in defensive passer rating with (47.0-Chiefs led AFL with 46.9) and got very high grades from George Allen.
Dave Elmendrof, 1974, and Johnnie Johnson, 1981 are the top seasons for strong safeties. Elmendorf was Second-team All-Pro and returned two picks for TDs among his 7 interceptions and had 74 tackles, Johnson didn't have apick but was the second rated SS in NFL by PSI and had 99 tackles, 5 for losses, 4 sacks, 13 passes deflected, recovered 5 fumbles, forced 3 and blocked two kicks. He played a great in-the-box safety and was a good slot cover man in dime packages.
Jerry Williams, 1950 (was a left safety and sometimes single safety as Rams transitioned from a 5-3-3 to a 5-2-4 defense) and Toby Wright, 1995, along with Adam Archuleta, 2003, RitchiePetitbon , 1970, and Don Burroughs, 1955 (3 INTS in his first-NFL game) get special mention.
Leroy Irvin, 1981 (All-Pro, 3 TDs) and Henry Ellard, 1984 (All-Pro, 2 TDs), get the punt return spots. They are followed by Az -Zahir Hakim, 2000, Woodley Lewis, 1952 and Eddie Kennison, 1996.
Everett's 1988 season was neck-and-neck with 1989, but due to comebacks and other intangibles, we chose 1989 over 1988.
The starting defensive ends are the 1968 NFL Defensive MVP Deacon Jones, and 1975 NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year Jack Youngblood. Jones was also the 1967NFL Defensive MVP and had other significant seasons, 1968 the Rams defense hadit's best season overall, stopping the run, hitting quarterbacks and keeping oppoent passers to a low rating.
Youngblood had more sacks and stuffs in 1973 9 (16½ sacks 13.5 stuffs, 4 ff), 1974 (15 sacks and 9.5 stuffs), 1976 (14½ sacks and 8 stuffs) and 1979 (18 sacks and 5 stuffs, 5 FF), but we went with 1975. He was a consensus All-Pro and called by Sports Illustrated the "NFL's best pass rusher" and he was a consensus NFC Defensive Player of the Year along with the NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year award. He did everything well drew praise from the best NFL right tackles (Yary, Dierdorf, Wright) as well.
Youngblood had more sacks and stuffs in 1973 9 (16½ sacks 13.5 stuffs, 4 ff), 1974 (15 sacks and 9.5 stuffs), 1976 (14½ sacks and 8 stuffs) and 1979 (18 sacks and 5 stuffs, 5 FF)
Backing the First-team up are Robert Quinn, 2013, and Kevin Carter, 1999. Quinn had 19 sacks, 7 forced fumbles and was the PFWA NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Carter played
A deep group of honorable mentions starts with a pair of All-Pros Fred Dryer, 1974, and Leonard Little, 2003.
NFL Alumni Defensive Lineman of the Year Chris Long, 2011, who had 13 sacks and gutted it out on a bum ankle late in the season and was also a Pro Bowl first alternate and led the NFL DEs in hits/hurries according to both Pro Football Focus
The Second-
Farr might get a few raised eyebrows since players like Rosey Grier and Roger Brown fell behind
Dick Huffman, 1949, are Bob Reinhard, 1950, next. They come as
Bud McFadin, 1955 (Pro Bowl), All-Pro Sean Gilbert, 1993 (81 tackles, 6 stuffs and 10.5 sacks) get special mention as does
London Fletcher did so much in 2000 to try and keep defense together, he'd cover, get after the quarterback, stuff running backs. He kept a cool head in 2000, the season between 1999 and 2001 (both top-notch defenses) and earned the Second-team pick here. For the season he had 133 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 4 interceptions.
Les Richter, 1956, Mo Pottios, 1968 (109 tackles), Marlin McKeever, 1971 (108 tackles, 4 picks), Will Witherspoon, 2007 (110 tackles, 7 sacks, 7 passes
Maxie Baughan, 1967, and Jack Pardee, 1963, are the Second-team selections. Pardee, in 1967 was close, he had 6 interceptions and 2 returned for scores, but in 1963 he did a lot with a much less talented unit and was First-team All-Pro. Baughan, always solid was a tough one in that 1966 and 1968 were also great year, 1967 he had more big plays, 4 picks, 10 tackles for loss among his 81 tackles.
Phifer likely should have been All-Pro in 1995 (125 tackles, 11 stuffs, 3 picks, 3 sacks and 12 passes
Lane still holds the record for interceptions in a season with 14. Jackson was the NFL's top defensive back in 1976, had 10 interceptions, returning 3 to the house. Williams was an All-Pro and a
Pat Thomas, 1980, and Rod Perry, 1978, Jerry Gray, 1989, Todd Lyght, 1999, and LeRoy Irvin, 1986 were all First-team All-Pros except for Rod Perry who was All-NFC and all are honorable mentions here. All
Dave Elmendrof, 1974, and Johnnie Johnson, 1981 are the top seasons for strong safeties. Elmendorf was Second-team All-Pro and returned two picks for TDs among his 7 interceptions and had 74 tackles, Johnson didn't have a
Jerry Williams, 1950 (was a left safety and sometimes single safety as Rams transitioned from a 5-3-3 to a 5-2-4 defense) and Toby Wright, 1995, along with Adam Archuleta, 2003, Ritchie
Nolan Cromwell, 1980, the NFC Defensive Player of the year with All-Pro Eddie Meador, 1967, take the top two free safety spot. Cromwell was a prototype free safety from 1979-82. In 1983 he had a Pro Bowl season as a strong safety, but in 1980 he was the kind of safety who could hit and tackle, cover in the slot, had tremendous range and good hands. Cromwell was the complete safety and in 1980 he had 8 picks, returning for a score and 101 tackles and 23 passes defensed .
Meador didn't have the size and speed ofCromwell, but many of the other traits were similar and from 1964-69 he was great, and played at a HOF level. In 1967 he had 100 tackle , s 8 picks, 2 were for touchdowns and 6 passes deflected.
Johnnie Johnson, 1983 (moved from SS to FS) and Will Sherman, 1955, Bill Simpson, 1978 (All-NFC, 94 tackles, 5 interceptions and 13 passesdefensed ), Keith Lyle, 1997 (led NFL with 9 interceptions), and O.J. Atogwe , 2008 (83 tackles, 5 picks, 3 fumbles recovered, on was a scoop and score and 8 forced fumbles) all had excellent seasons and are honorable mentions. Again, we are leaving off some good secondary years but had to draw the line at some point.
Meador didn't have the size and speed of
Johnnie Johnson, 1983 (moved from SS to FS) and Will Sherman, 1955, Bill Simpson, 1978 (All-NFC, 94 tackles, 5 interceptions and 13 passes
The nickelbacks are Dre Bly, 2001, and Vince Newsome, 1985 (All-Pro by Dr. Z as nickel) are the top honorees as First- and Second-team. The honorable mentions are Willie Daniel, 1967 and Nolan Cromwell, 1978.
The designated rushers are in order: Gary Jeter, 1985 (11 sacks), though 1988 would fit as well Leonard Little, 2001 (13.5 sacks in 38% of the snaps) backs him up. William Hayes, 2012, was excellent inside in the Rams sub packages as was Tyoka Jackson, 2003. James Hall, 2008, and Robert Quinn, 2011 also deserve mention.
Jeff Wilkins, 2003, is the top kicker as he had his best year in placekicks and was also very good in kickoffs and in onside kick attempts. Mike Lansford, 1989, was All-Pro in 1989. Lansford was always clutch, but in 1989 had his best season.
Greg Zuerlein, 2013 (2 missed FGs andbest leg in Rams history, including Tom Dempsey) , David Ray, 1973 (PFW Golden Toe Award), Bruce Gossett, 1964 (Sporting News All-Conference) and All-Pro Frank Corral, 1978 (3 game-winning kicks) are the honorable mentions.
Greg Zuerlein, 2013 (2 missed FGs and
Johnny Hekker, 2013, narrowly beat out Dave Chapple, 1972. Hekker holds the NFL record for net punting, but few knew that Chapple's 1972 was equally impressive at 42.1 net . The honorables are All-Pro Dale Hatcher, 1985 (38.4 net), Donnie Jones, 2009, (41.7 net) and Van Brocklin, 1957, a 39 net average.
Ron Brown, 1985, (All-Pro and three touchdowns) is First-team, then Verda Smith, 1950 is the Second-team. Next in line are Tony Horne, 1999, Alvin Haymond, 1970, Travis Williams, 1971, and 1976 All-NFC choice Cullen Bryant
Ivory Sully, 1984 , and Rich Saul, 1972 are two special, special teams players. Sully's 1979-93 seasons fit as well. He is the best special teams player in Rams history, year-in and year-out.
Saul was credited with 51 tackles in 1970 by Marv Levy, but thosenumbers seem high and must include blocks as well. Regardless , the 1972 special teams unit of the Rams was the best in the NFL and Saul was the leader and the dominant player of those units and we pick that season for Saul.
Honorable mentions are Alvin Haymond, 1971 (leader of Haymond's Headhunters), Jim Youngblood, 1973 (15 tackles), Norwood Vann, 1984 (nearly as good as Sully andjust as good in 1985 as he was in 1984), Nolan Cromwell, 1979 (coverage, blocked kicks and a holder who could run for a first down or touchdown), Tony Guilliroy, 1967 (three blocked punts, including the one that allowed for the late-season win over Green Bay), Jim Jodat, 1978 (20 tackles) and Carl Ekern, 1976 (26 tackles).
Saul was credited with 51 tackles in 1970 by Marv Levy, but those
Honorable mentions are Alvin Haymond, 1971 (leader of Haymond's Headhunters), Jim Youngblood, 1973 (15 tackles), Norwood Vann, 1984 (
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)