The St. Louis Rams have recently won the Super Bowl. However, several players have played outstandingly during the franchise’s history.
Sometimes success comes sooner, rather than later. After playing in Los Angeles from 1946-1994, the NFL’s Rams moved to St. Louis. Within half a decade, the Rams had earned their franchise’s first Super Bowl, by defeating the Tennessee Titans, 23-16! While most of today’s Rams fans know the names Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk, you might be unfamiliar with all of the players whose jersey numbers the Rams have already retired:
1. #7 Bob Waterfield (Quarterback): 1945-1952
Waterfield played for the Rams while they were located in both Cleveland and Los Angeles. In 1945, he became the first rookie to win the NFL MVP. Additionally, the league selected Waterfield for two Pro Bowls, and to the NFL 1940s All-Decade team. Waterfield also played as a punter and place kicker!
2. #28 Marshall Faulk (Running Back): 1999-2005
In 1994, Faulk was the #2 overall pick in the NFL draft. He became successful in the NFL, as a powerful and speedy rusher. During his NFL career, Faulk ran 12,279 yards (4.3 yards-per-carry average), and scored 136 total rushing and catching touchdowns. The NFL selected Faulk to seven Pro Bowls.
3. #29 Eric Dickerson (Running Back): 1983-1987
During his senior year at Southern Methodist University, Dickerson finished third in Heisman Trophy balloting. He then had a stellar career in the NFL, from 1983-1993. Dickerson’s career statistics are impressive: 13,259 yards rushing, 2,137 reception yards, and 96 touchdowns. The NFL chose Dickerson for five Pro Bowl teams.
4. #74 Merlin Olsen (Defensive Tackle): 1962-1976
Before he was a spokesperson for a flower company, Olsen delivered bone-crushing tackles to his opponents. Olsen played all 208 of his NFL games, with the Los Angeles Rams. He became part of the Rams’ defensive line, whose nickname was “The Fearsome Foursome.” The NFL selected Olsen to an astounding 14 Pro Bowls.
5. #78 Jackie Slater (Offensive Tackle): 1976-1995
Slater played for both the Los Angeles and St. Louis Rams. Both Slater and Darrel Green of the Washington Redskins hold the NFL’s record for the most seasons with a single team (20). In addition, the league selected Slater to seven Pro Bowls. The NFL also chose him four times as the NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year.
6. #85 Jack Youngblood (Defensive End): 1971-1984
Youngblood once stated that “…if you want to do a job bad enough, you’ll find a way to get it done.” Indeed, Youngblood “got it done.” His NFL accomplishments include:
* 7 Pro Bowl games
* 6 All-Pro teams
* 1970s NFL All-Decade team
* 3 Rams MVP
* 1975 NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year
* Pro/College Football Hall of Fame
Youngblood also holds the Rams team cored for the most consecutive games (201). In fact, in 14 years in the NFL, he only missed a single game!
Indeed, the Rams have recently achieved their greatest success in the NFL. However, several players have played outstandingly, throughout the franchise’s history. Use St. Louis Rams merchandise to cheer on the team to another Super Bowl victory!
Missouri is the “Show Me” state, location for the Twin Cities and it is the headquarters for the St Louis Rams. This trail blazing NFL sports team has been quickening the pulse of fans for generations. The name and the stadium for the squad may have changed over the years, but the spirit and enthusiasm of the original Rams organization continues to be an inspiration. Today some of the boys that watched some of the original Rams in action are enthusiastically purchasing St Louis Rams tickets and returning to the stands with their grandchildren and great grandchildren by their side.
Although the club has had their up and down seasons, it has been constantly been one of the favorite sports teams for many football enthusiasts. Supporters rally around this team each year, and high sales figures are a given whenever there are any St Louis Rams tickets being offered. The dynamic plays and “Never Give Up” mentality demonstrated by the Rams can always bring the crowds to their feet.
Tracking the St Louis Rams Through History
1936 was the first year that this team played, and at that time, they were based in Cleveland, Ohio. This football team is considered to be close kin of another Cleveland Rams group that was once a member of the American Football League. When this Rams team reformed, it had only 4 of the original players and no member of the former management staff. For this reason, it was considered to be a new team.
Dan Reeves, the owner of the team in 1946, moved the football club to Los Angeles, California and the Rams became the first NFL club on the Pacific coast. The former Cleveland Browns were now known as the Los Angeles Rams. From 1980 to 1994, the team was moved to Orange County and played in Anaheim, California. By the time the 1995 season opened, the Rams moved to St Louis, Mo.
Introducing Pro Scouts
Surprisingly many of the team’s most devoted fans are often unaware that the Rams were the ones who began the practice of using football scouts. Eddie Kotal was an employee of the Rams in the 40s. He was the first one who began to check out potential talent and recruits throughout the United States as a pro scout. Kotal made a point of finding the best players no matter what college they were attending. One of his most prolific hunting grounds for new draft picks was at black colleges. Some of the legendary pro players could very well have gone completely unnoticed had it not been for Kotal’s involvement.
Rams are Ready to Rock the Field
During most of the years that the franchise has been in existence, this team has been one that attracted large numbers of fans. The 2009 season is anxiously awaited by many who have their St Louis Rams tickets already in their hands. An extra edge of excitement has been created by rumors of which highly touted college player will be selected when the Rams use their 2nd pick position in the draft. The Detroit Lions will get first shot at the long list of hopeful recruits but the Rams have several players in mind who can help strengthen their on-field play.
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The post 6 Key Players That Have Made the St Louis Rams “Ram-Tough” appeared first on Sports Insider.
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