Highlighted Year: Marc Bulger, 2003

Quarterback, St. Louis Rams

 Age: 26

3^rd season (2^nd active) in pro football & with Rams

College: West Virginia

Height: 6’3”    Weight: 215

Prelude:

Following a fine college career in which Bulger passed for 8153 yards and 59 touchdowns, he was chosen by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft. Cut during training camp he spent time on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad in 2000 before moving on to the Rams where he was not activated during the remainder of the year. Due to an injury to starting QB Kurt Warner in 2002 Bulger moved into the starting lineup with good results including wins in his first six starts although he missed time due to injuries as well. A good fit in the team’s high-powered offense, he passed for 1826 yards and 14 TDs. He remained the starter ahead of Warner in 2003.

2003 Season Summary

Appeared and started in 15 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 532 [4]

Most attempts, game – 46 at Chicago 11/16

Completions – 336 [3]

Most completions, game – 29 at Chicago 11/16

Yards – 3845 [3, 1^st in NFC]

Most yards, game – 378 at San Francisco 11/2

Completion percentage – 63.2 [6]

Yards per attempt – 7.2 [6]

TD passes – 22 [11]

Most TD passes, game – 3 vs. Green Bay 10/19

Interceptions – 22 [1, tied with Joey Harrington]

Most interceptions, game – 4 at Arizona 11/23

Passer rating – 81.4 [15]

300-yard passing games – 4

200-yard passing games – 13

Rushing

Attempts – 29

Most attempts, game – 6 (for 9 yds.) at Cleveland 12/8

Yards – 75

Most yards, game – 26 yards (on 4 carries) vs. Green Bay 10/19

Average gain – 2.6

TDs – 4

Scoring

TDs – 4

Points – 24

Postseason: 1 G (NFC Divisional playoff vs. Carolina)

Pass attempts – 46

Pass completions – 27

Passing yardage – 332

TD passes – 0

Interceptions – 3

Rushing attempts – 4

Rushing yards – 11

Average gain rushing – 2.8

Rushing TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

Pro Bowl

Rams went 12-4 to finish first in the NFC West. Lost NFC Divisional playoff to Carolina Panthers (29-23).

Aftermath:

Bulger followed up by passing for 3964 yards and 21 TDs while giving up 14 interceptions in 2004. He had another Pro Bowl season in 2006 when he again led the NFC by throwing for 4301 yards. Purely a pocket passer, Bulger spent eight active yeas with the Rams, and after his promising start with the club, his production decreased (and interceptions and sacks increased) in his remaining seasons. Overall Bulger passed for 22,814 yards and 122 TDs against 93 INTs. He was selected to two Pro Bowls.                    

                    

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

1976: Bengals Break Out in Third Quarter to Defeat Rams

The Monday night NFL game on November 8, 1976 featured two contenders, the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams, both of which were battling for control in their respective divisions.

The Bengals were 6-2 under first-year Head Coach Bill Johnson, successor to Paul Brown (the founding coach and still owner and GM), and seeking to remain ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Central. The offense featured the efficient passing of QB Ken Anderson while the defense, which already had an outstanding backfield that included CB Ken Riley and SS Tommy Casanova, was benefiting from the pass-rushing prowess of DE Coy Bacon. 

The Rams, coached by Chuck Knox, had a 6-1-1 record and were looking to pick up ground on the 49ers in the NFC West, which they had topped in each of the previous three seasons. While there was instability at quarterback, with James Harris the current starter, the running game, featuring HB Lawrence McCutcheon, was sound and the tough defense was effective against both the run and the pass.

It was a cold 27-degree night at Riverfront Stadium with 52,480 fans in attendance. On the first play from scrimmage, Coy Bacon clotheslined FB John Cappelletti of the Rams behind the line of scrimmage, causing a fumble that DT Bob Brown recovered for the Bengals. They were unable to cash in a few plays later, however, when Chris Bahr’s 44-yard field goal was nullified by a penalty and his second try from 50 yards missed the mark.

Cincinnati’s next possession ended with a punt and Pat McInally’s shanked kick traveled only 24 yards. That set up a 50-yard drive in seven plays by the Rams in which Cappelletti had runs of 9 and 17 yards and a pass interference penalty gave Los Angeles a first down at the Cincinnati 24. But after advancing to the two, the visitors couldn’t reach the end zone and settled for Tom Dempsey’s 19-yard field goal that nevertheless put them ahead by 3-0.

The Bengals had a breakaway run by rookie HB Archie Griffin canceled by a penalty and remained stymied on offense for the remainder of the half. Meanwhile, the Rams had another shot when they gained possession at midfield, but penalties kept them out of scoring range.

In the second quarter, the Rams put together a 13-play, 80-yard possession but, after reaching the Cincinnati 15, Lawrence McCutcheon was stopped for a three-yard loss on first down and the drive stalled. Dempsey booted a 23-yard field goal that extended the lead to 6-0. In their last series of the first half, LA reached the Cincinnati 28 but QB James Harris fumbled when sacked by Bacon, and while the Rams recovered, they lost 14 yards and were taken out of field goal range. The score remained unchanged at halftime.

The Rams outgained Cincinnati 173 yards to 57 in the first half, but had only two field goals to show for it. Ken Anderson was ineffective in the first 30 minutes, completing just two of 12 passes for five yards as the Los Angeles defense kept the receivers in check.

The tables began to turn early in the third quarter. Harris fumbled while being sacked by DE Gary Burley and Ken Riley’s recovery gave the Bengals possession at the LA nine. Cincinnati quickly cashed in as FB Boobie Clark (pictured below) ran for a touchdown on the next play and Chris Bahr kicked the extra point to put the home team in the lead by 7-6.

The score off of the turnover ignited the Cincinnati offense. On their next series, the Bengals advanced 80 yards in six plays as Ken Anderson threw to Clark for 19 yards, had a 25-yard run, and followed up by firing a pass to TE Bob Trumpy, who split the safeties for a 30-yard TD. The extra point try failed, but Cincinnati’s lead was now 13-6.

The Rams were forced to punt from deep in their own territory and Cincinnati went 53 yards in seven plays on the next possession. Anderson completed passes to WR Billy Brooks for 14 yards and TE Bruce Coslet for 17 before a toss to Clark coming out of the backfield went the distance for a 17-yard touchdown. Bahr successfully converted this time and the Bengals were up by 20-6.

There was still plenty of time and the Rams had scoring opportunities in the fourth quarter. First, they reached the Cincinnati 14, but a second down pass by Harris intended for WR Ron Jessie bounced off the receiver’s hands and was intercepted by Tommy Casanova. On their next possession, the Rams advanced to the Cincinnati five, but again turned the ball over when McCutcheon fumbled and FS Bernard Jackson recovered.

Late in the game, and following a fumble by HB Tony Davis that LB Isiah Robertson recovered at the Cincinnati 38, LA finally reached the end zone three plays later. Harris completed passes to McCutcheon for 21 yards and to Jessie for a 17-yard TD. But Dempsey missed the point after, maintaining an eight-point spread, and the Bengals held on to win by a final score of 20-12.

The Rams led in total yards (342 to 299) and first downs (21 to 15). However, they also turned the ball over four times, to two by Cincinnati, and squandered too many scoring opportunities.

Ken Anderson overcame his slow start to complete 11 of 26 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns while giving up one interception, and was particularly sharp during Cincinnati’s scoring drives in the third quarter. Boobie Clark rushed for 70 yards on 16 carries that included a TD and added another score among his three catches for 30 yards. Billy Brooks also contributed three pass receptions for 44 yards.

For the Rams, James Harris was successful on 16 of 28 throws for 193 yards and a TD as well as an interception. John Cappelletti (pictured at right) topped the runners with 86 yards on 20 carries and Lawrence McCutcheon added 76 yards on his 20 attempts. WR Harold Jackson and Ron Jessie caught 5 passes apiece, for 75 and 59 yards, respectively, and Jessie scored LA’s only touchdown.

Cincinnati kept on winning and was at 9-2 before losing two straight contests, including the rematch with the Steelers. Both ended up at 10-4 and the Bengals, having been swept by Pittsburgh in the season series, found themselves in second place and out of the playoffs. As for the Rams, Coach Knox made a change at quarterback following the loss to the Bengals, replacing James Harris with Pat Haden. They went 4-1 the rest of the way to once again top the NFC West with a 10-3-1 record but, after edging the Cowboys in the Divisional playoff round, lost the NFC Championship game to Minnesota.

Ken Anderson didn’t lead the NFL in passing, as he had in 1974 and ’75, but he still had a respectable year as he threw for 2367 yards and 19 touchdowns, while giving up 14 interceptions, and had a passer rating of 76.9. He was selected to the Pro Bowl.

Highlighted Year: Isaac Bruce, 1996

Wide Receiver, St. Louis Rams

Age: 24 (Nov. 10)

3^rd season in pro football & with Rams

College: Memphis

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 178

Prelude:

In two seasons at Memphis after transferring from Santa Monica College, Bruce caught 113 passes for 1586 yards (14.0 avg.) and 15 touchdowns, including 74 for 1054 yards and 10 TDs in 1993. He was chosen by the Rams in the second round of the ’94 NFL draft and had a quiet rookie season, with 21 catches for 272 yards and three touchdowns, before missing the last four games with a knee injury. Bruce broke out in 1995 by catching 119 passes for 1781 yards and 13 TDs, showing off his deceptive speed.

1996 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 84 [12, tied with Wayne Chrebet]

Most receptions, game – 11 (for 136 yds.) vs. Washington 9/22, (for 229 yds.) at Baltimore 10/27

Yards – 1338 [1]

Most yards, game – 229 (on 11 catches) at Baltimore 10/27

Average gain – 15.9 [13]

TDs – 7 [19, tied with seven others]

200-yard receiving games – 1

100-yard receiving games – 5

Rushing

Attempts – 1

Yards – 4

TDs – 0

Passing

Attempts – 2

Completions – 1

Yards – 15

TD passes – 0

Interceptions – 1

Scoring

TDs – 7

Points – 42

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-NFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Rams went 6-10 to finish third in the NFC West.

Aftermath:

Bruce was slowed by injuries in 1997 and ’98, appearing in a combined 17 games with diminished production. Healthy again in 1999, and with an improved supporting cast that included QB Kurt Warner and WR Torry Holt, he had the first of three straight Pro Bowl seasons, scoring 12 touchdowns among his 77 receptions for 1165 yards in ’99, pulling in 87 passes for 1471 yards and 9 TDs in 2000, and averaging a career-high 17.3 yards on 64 catches for 1106 yards in 2001. Bruce stayed with the Rams until 2007, compiling a total of eight thousand-yard seasons and leaving the club as the career leader in pass receptions (942), receiving yards (14,109), and TD receptions (84). He finished up with San Francisco in 2008 and ’09, giving him overall totals of 1024 catches for 15,208 yards, which ranked second all-time in NFL history, as well as 91 TDs. Bruce added another 44 receptions for 759 yards and four touchdowns in the postseason, all with the Rams. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and the Rams retired his #80.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

1953: Third Quarter Explosion Propels Rams to Win Against Lions

The Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions both had 4-1 records and were battling for control of the NFL’s Western Conference as they faced each other on November 1, 1953. The Lions were the reigning league champions, having topped LA in a playoff to win the conference in ’52, but more recently the Rams had beaten them in Detroit two weeks earlier.

Under Head Coach Hamp Pool, Los Angeles had a high-powered offense that featured the passing of QB Norm Van Brocklin, primarily to star end Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch, and the running of FB “Deacon Dan” Towler and HB Skeets Quinlan (pictured above). The Lions were coached by Buddy Parker and featured a rugged defense, with the line anchored by MG Les Bingaman and the opportunistic backfield led by safety Jack Christiansen. QB Bobby Layne provided leadership as well as passing ability to the offense and the stable of backs was a good one.

There was a then-record regular season crowd of 93,761 fans on hand at the Memorial Coliseum. The Lions had the opening possession and drove 78 yards in 11 plays, culminating in HB Doak Walker’s 38-yard field goal. The Rams responded by advancing into Detroit territory as Dan Towler had runs of 21 and 17 yards. But after reaching the 15, Jack Christiansen intercepted a throw by Norm Van Brocklin and ran it back 92 yards for a touchdown. Walker added the extra point and, in stunning fashion, the Lions were ahead by 10-0 midway through the opening period.

In the second quarter, the Rams put together a 10-play, 58-yard series. Van Brocklin completed three passes, two to Crazylegs Hirsch, and Skeets Quinlan ran effectively, finishing the drive with a five-yard run around end for a TD. Ben Agajanian’s try for the extra point was blocked, and the score remained 10-6 in favor of the visitors.

On LA’s next possession, Quinlan broke a 31-yard run to the Detroit 35, Towler carried for nine, and Van Brocklin threw to end Bob Boyd for 16 yards to set up an 18-yard field goal by Agajanian that made it a one-point game. However, HB Jug Girard took the ensuing kickoff and returned it 85 yards to the LA 15 before finally being caught from behind. Four plays later, Bobby Layne tossed a pass to end Leon Hart for a three-yard touchdown, Walker converted, and the Lions held a 17-9 lead that they took into halftime.

Los Angeles struck quickly in the early minutes of third quarter when Quinlan ran around end for a spectacular 74-yard touchdown. Agajanian’s kick again made it a one-point contest at 17-16. The Lions came right back with a 65-yard advance to the LA 6. However, Walker was stopped for a seven-yard loss and Layne, heavily pressured when attempting to pass, was intercepted by safety Herb Rich, who returned it 36 yards. While Detroit immediately got the ball back when DHB Jim David picked off Quinlan’s option pass and returned it 21 yards to the Los Angeles 43, two plays later LB Don Paul intercepted a Layne throw, returned it 15 yards, and lateraled to DHB Woodley Lewis who went the remaining 45 yards for a 60-yard TD. In dramatic fashion, the Rams were ahead by 23-17.

It got worse for the Lions on the next series when Layne was again picked off, and this time it was DHB Jack Dwyer returning it 31 yards for another touchdown. LA was in control by a score of 30-17.

Frustrations boiled over in the fourth quarter when the Lions became enraged due to an altercation between Jim David and LA’s Bob Boyd that led to David being ejected and, when players and coaches took to the field in protest, an additional 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Shortly thereafter, the Rams added to their lead when Van Brocklin connected with HB Vitamin T. Smith for a 54-yard TD and Agajanian converted. The Lions scored one more time late in the game with QB Tom Dublinski spelling Layne, driving 63 yards to a one-yard touchdown carry by HB Bob “Hunchy” Hoernschemeyer, but it was of no consequence as the Rams won by a final score of 37-24.

LA led in total yards (392 to 255) although the Lions had more first downs (19 to 14). The Rams ran the ball especially well, gaining 222 yards on 33 carries. Both teams turned the ball over four times apiece, with Detroit’s ultimately proving more costly.

Skeets Quinlan was the rushing star with 130 yards on 12 carries that included two touchdowns. Dan Towler (pictured at left) contributed 79 yards on 14 attempts and also had two pass receptions for 21 yards. Norm Van Brocklin completed 10 of 18 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown while being intercepted twice. Crazylegs Hirsch had four catches for 51 yards while Vitamin Smith gained 63 yards on his two receptions that included a TD.

For the Lions, Bobby Layne, who was harried by the LA defense, was successful on just five of 17 throws for 50 yards and a TD while giving up three interceptions. He also ran the ball for a team-leading 65 yards. In relief, Tom Dublinski was five of nine for 68 yards and was picked off once. Leon Hart topped the receivers with three catches for 29 yards and a touchdown.

“The turning point came in the third quarter when our defense really put the pressure on Layne and helped us make interceptions,” explained LA's Coach Pool.

The win put the Rams a game ahead of Detroit at 5-1, and seemingly in command in the Western Conference race, but they faltered, winning only one of their next four games (which included a tie). Detroit didn’t lose again and topped the conference with a 10-2 record while the Rams ended up third at 8-3-1 (the 49ers, who swept their season series with Los Angeles, placed second with a 9-3 tally). The Lions repeated as NFL Champions, defeating the Browns by a score of 17-16.

Skeets Quinlan ended up rushing for 705 yards on 97 carries, for a gaudy 7.3-yard average gain, and scored four rushing touchdowns. The yardage total ranked third in the league rushing standards, while Dan Towler was second with 879 yards on 152 attempts (5.8 avg.) and seven TDs.

1964: Third Quarter Surge Lifts Colts to Win Against Rams

The Baltimore Colts had a 2-1 record and were nine-point favorites as they hosted the Los Angeles Rams on October 4, 1964. The Colts were a revitalized team in their second season under Head Coach Don Shula. The key to the offense was 31-year-old QB Johnny Unitas (pictured above), generally recognized as the best in the league. Versatile HB Lenny Moore, trade bait during the previous offseason after a disappointing year in ’63, was again making big plays as a runner and receiver out of the backfield, and there were capable receivers in split end Raymond Berry and flanker Jimmy Orr, although Orr was nursing a muscle pull and was nearly pulled from the lineup for the LA game. The defense was showing signs of age but was still formidable. Baltimore was coming off of a 52-0 pounding of the Bears the previous week.

The Rams had not enjoyed a winning season since 1958 but were at 2-0-1 coming up against the Colts. They were coached by Harland Svare and had lots of young talent on the roster, including QB Bill Munson, the first round pick out of Utah State who was starting in place of the injured Roman Gabriel. FB Dick Bass, their top runner, was suffering the effects of a shoulder injury and while available against the Colts was not nearly up to form. The defensive line was impressive but the Rams were still very much in rebuilding mode.

There were 56,537 fans in attendance on an overcast day at Memorial Stadium. Baltimore struck first when, on its second play from scrimmage, Johnny Unitas ran out of the pocket to avoid DT Merlin Olsen and threw long to Jimmy Orr (pictured at right), who was covered by rookie CB Jerry Richardson, for a 46-yard touchdown. Lou Michaels added the extra point for the early 7-0 lead.

The Rams came right back following a 56-yard kickoff return by DB Bobby Smith that had them starting at the Baltimore 44. Bill Munson converted two third downs, one with an 18-yard pass to flanker Jim Phillips in a third-and-nine situation. FB Ben Wilson plunged the last yard for a touchdown and Bruce Gossett added the game-tying extra point.

The Colts again reached LA territory, but a 31-yard field goal attempt by Michaels was blocked by LB Jack Pardee. The game settled into a defensive battle from that point, with the Colts running only six plays in the second quarter. Los Angeles had a 53-yard drive that ended with Gossett kicking a 35-yard field goal and, with time running out just before the end of the first half, Munson threw to split end Carroll Dale to set up another Gossett field goal, this time from 32 yards. The visitors took a 13-7 lead into halftime.

In the third quarter, the Rams hurt themselves with a clipping penalty on a punt return and, forced to punt in return, gave the Colts favorable field position at their 44. Baltimore took advantage, scoring four plays later when Unitas again connected with Orr, who had gotten open along the sideline for a 43-yard touchdown. Michaels converted and Baltimore was ahead by 14-13.

Down by a point, it got worse for the Rams when a Munson pass was intercepted by CB Bob Boyd, who returned it 47 yards to the LA 12. The result, on the next play, was Lenny Moore running for a 12-yard TD and, with the successful Michaels point after, a 21-13 lead.

Baltimore’s defense shut the Rams down on their next series and, getting the ball back, Unitas went long to Orr deep in the end zone for a third touchdown, this time covering 35 yards. Michaels converted and, after being held largely in check in the first half, the Colts were ahead by 28-13 after three quarters.

In the fourth quarter, the Colts helped themselves by keeping the ball away from LA with a long drive that ran more than six minutes off of the clock. With less than five minutes remaining, the Rams finally scored again when Munson connected with Phillips for a 14-yard TD. Gossett’s point after narrowed the Baltimore lead to 28-20. But the Colts responded with a 66-yard series that concluded with Moore breaking away for a 32-yard touchdown, and that sealed the win by a final score of 35-20.

Baltimore led in total yards (389 to 257) and first downs (18 to 17). While the most spectacular plays were made through the air, the Colts also were far more successful at running the ball, outgaining Los Angeles by 160 yards to 52 on the ground. The Baltimore defense also recorded six sacks, while the Rams got to Unitas only once. LA gave up the game’s only turnover and it set up a score by the Colts during the crucial third quarter.

Johnny Unitas completed only 10 of 18 passes, but they were good for 232 yards and three touchdowns with none intercepted. Jimmy Orr, despite playing hurt, had 5 catches for 145 yards and all three TDs. Lenny Moore had one 46-yard pass reception and led the Colts in rushing with 86 yards on 13 carries that included two touchdowns.

For the Rams, Bill Munson (pictured at left) was successful on 18 of 32 throws for 256 yards and a TD as well as an interception. Jim Phillips caught 6 passes for 73 yards and a touchdown and TE Marlin McKeever gained 103 yards on his four pass receptions. Ben Wilson led what there was of a ground game with 25 yards on 16 attempts that included a short TD.

“Unitas killed us with the bomb,” summed up Coach Harland Svare for the Rams. “He always takes advantage of the breaks and that’s what makes him a great quarterback.”

The win put the Colts in first place in the Western Conference, and that is where they stayed. Baltimore reeled off eleven straight wins on the way to a 12-2 record. However, they were upset by the Cleveland Browns for the NFL Championship. The Rams slumped during the second half of the season and ended up at 5-7-2 for a fifth place finish in the conference.

Johnny Unitas passed for 2824 yards and 19 touchdowns with just six interceptions and led the NFL by averaging 9.3 yards per attempt. He was the consensus league MVP as well as a first-team All-NFL selection and was named to the Pro Bowl for the eighth straight year. Lenny Moore made good on his comeback by setting a NFL record with 20 touchdowns scored, 16 of them among his 157 carries for 584 yards, three while catching 21 passes for 472 yards (22.5 avg.), and one more on a fumble recovery. He also was a consensus first-team All-NFL choice and Pro Bowl selection.  Jimmy Orr caught 40 passes for 867 yards (21.7 avg.) and scored six TDs.

Bill Munson started eight games and threw for 1533 yards and 9 TDs while giving up 15 interceptions. He spent four seasons with the Rams but the last two were strictly as a backup to the more talented Roman Gabriel. Munson did have a long NFL career, spending significant time with the Lions as well as the Seahawks, Chargers, and Bills over the course of 16 seasons.

1946: Eagles Dominate Second Half to Defeat Rams in LA Debut

The Los Angeles Rams were making their West Coast regular season debut as they hosted the Philadelphia Eagles on September 29, 1946. They were coming off of a NFL Championship the previous year as the Cleveland Rams, also their first year under Head Coach Adam Walsh, who installed the T-formation and put QB Bob Waterfield in charge of it with outstanding results. Despite the success, owner Dan Reeves lost money and chose to move the franchise to LA. There were newcomers in HB Tom Harmon, a former Heisman Trophy winner, as well as HB Kenny Washington and end Woody Stode, the first African-American players to appear in the NFL since 1933.

The Eagles had gone 7-3 the previous year, barely missing the Eastern Division title, and one of their wins was against the Rams (the only defeat inflicted on them). Head Coach Earle “Greasy” Neale was assembling a good team that most notably featured HB Steve Van Buren and there were excellent linemen in MG Bucko Kilroy and tackles Al Wistert and Vic Sears. Philadelphia had added promising newcomers in halfbacks Bosh Pritchard and Russ Craft in addition to veteran C/LB Alex Wojciechowicz.

There were 30,553 fans in attendance at the Memorial Coliseum on a hot day with temperatures in the nineties. The Rams scored first, putting together a 75-yard drive in the first quarter, with the biggest play a pass from Bob Waterfield to HB Jack Banta that covered 24 yards. FB Pat West ran the last two yards for a touchdown and Waterfield added the extra point.

The Eagles responded with a 21-yard field goal by Roy Zimmerman to narrow the margin to 7-3. The Rams, moving effectively on the ground, reached the Philadelphia eight, but a holding penalty moved them back and a pass was intercepted by LB Ben Kish. The Eagles scored once more before the first quarter was over when Augie Lio booted a 42-yard field goal.

Early in the second quarter, West (pictured at left) broke away for a 72-yard gain down the middle to the Philadelphia eight. From there, FB Mike Holovak scored a TD, Waterfield converted, and the score remained 14-6 at halftime.

The Eagles started off the third quarter with a drive that resulted in Zimmerman kicking a 19-yard field goal to narrow the score to 14-9. The Rams lost Waterfield, who completed 6 of 9 passes in the first half, due to a rib injury suffered when hit hard by Bucko Kilroy while passing, and he played sparingly for the remainder of the contest. The Rams bogged down on offense as Jim Hardy and Kenny Washington, normally a halfback but being given a trial at quarterback, took turns behind center.

Philadelphia was on the move later in the period, and following a 24-yard run by Russ Craft, QB Allie Sherman (pictured at top) passed to end Larry Cabrelli for a 38-yard touchdown. Zimmerman added the extra point to put the Eagles ahead by 16-14.

Early in the fourth quarter, and following a turnover in which G Duke Maronic hit Holovak behind the line and grabbed the ball away from him, the visitors struck again. Sherman threw for another TD two plays later, this time to end Jack Ferrante that covered 28 yards, and Zimmerman’s point after put the Eagles ahead by nine points.

Midway through the final period, Waterfield re-entered the contest and completed a pass to end Steve Pritko but, after Holovak ran the ball down to the Philadelphia 20, the Rams came up empty. It proved to be their last gasp. The Eagles picked up two more points when Washington, attempting to pass from his own end zone, stepped out of bounds for a safety, and that was it. Philadelphia dominated the second half and came away with a 25-14 win.

The Eagles led in total yards (316 to 233) as well as first downs (16 to 15), topping Los Angeles both in rushing (141 to 116) and through the air (175 to 117). The Rams turned the ball over four times, to two suffered by Philadelphia, but the Eagles were penalized nine times, with six flags thrown on LA.

Allie Sherman was the most productive passer for the Eagles, hitting on 7 of 11 throws for 113 yards and two touchdowns while giving up no interceptions. Steve Van Buren, who had a quiet day running the ball from scrimmage with 33 yards, contributed kickoff returns of 54 and 46 yards.

For the Rams, Bob Waterfield ended up completing 7 of 13 passes for 78 yards with two intercepted. Jim Hardy was 2 of 12 for 23 yards and an interception and Kenny Washington completed just one of seven for 16 yards. Pat West, who left the game due to injury shortly after his long scoring carry, gained 83 yards on five rushing attempts that included a TD. As for Tom Harmon, he had a quiet debut, being held to negative yardage on three carries.

The Eagles won their next game before losing two and they ended up with a 6-5 record to place second in the Eastern Division. Los Angeles followed up with two wins and a tie on the way to going 6-4-1 and finishing second in the Western Division.

Allie Sherman, the future head coach of the New York Giants, was typically a backup and, for the year, ended up completing 17 of 33 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns while giving up three interceptions.

Bob Waterfield recovered to lead the NFL in pass attempts (251), completions (127), and TD passes (17, tied with Sid Luckman of the Bears) and, for good measure, in extra points (37). He received first-team All-NFL honors from the Associated Press and UPI.

Highlighted Year: Ron Brown, 1985

Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Rams

Age: 24

2^nd season in pro football & with Rams

College: Arizona State

Height: 5’11” Weight: 181

Prelude:

Brown was a track star who set an Arizona State record in the 100-meter dash while also playing football, where he was a defensive back for three seasons prior to switching to wide receiver in 1982. He caught 19 passes that year, but five of them were for touchdowns as he averaged 20.8 yards-per-catch. Chosen by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 1983 NFL draft, Brown delayed his pro football career in order to participate in the 1984 Olympics where he won a gold medal in the 4x100 meter relay event. He joined the Rams, who acquired his rights, for the ’84 season and caught 23 passes for 478 yards (20.8 avg.) and four TDs.

1985 Season Summary

Appeared in 13 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 14      

Most receptions, game – 5 (for 87 yds.) vs. Green Bay 11/24

Yards – 215

Most yards, game – 87 (on 5 catches) vs. Green Bay 11/24

Average gain – 15.4

TDs – 3

Rushing

Attempts – 2

Yards – 13

Average gain – 6.5

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 28 [19, tied with Clyde Duncan & Carl Monroe]

Yards – 918 [8]

Most yards, game – 184 (on 2 ret.) vs. Green Bay 11/24 (2 TD)

Average per return – 32.8 [1]

TDs – 3 [1]

Longest return – 98 yards

Scoring

TDs – 6

Points – 36

Postseason: 2 G

Kickoff returns – 3

Kickoff return yds. – 63

Kickoff return avg. – 21.0

Kickoff return TDs – 0

Pass receptions – 2

Pass receiving yards – 14

Average gain – 7.0

Pass receiving TDs – 0

(Statistics all accumulated in NFC Championship at Chicago)

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Sporting News

Pro Bowl

Rams went 11-5 to finish first in the NFC West. Won NFC Divisional playoff over Dallas Cowboys (20-0). Lost NFC Championship to Chicago Bears (21-0).  

Aftermath:

Brown spent the next four seasons on-and-off with the Rams, although he never again approached his 1985 kickoff return average. While having tremendous speed, Brown lacked reliability as a pass receiver and had problems with nagging injuries. He caught 25 passes for 396 yards (15.8 avg.) in 1986 and 26 for 521 yards (20.0 avg.) in ’87, totaling five TDs in what were his most productive pass receiving seasons. Facing protracted problems with negotiating a new contract with the Rams, Brown briefly retired in 1988 but, failing in an Olympic comeback, returned to the club during the season. He played for the Raiders in 1990, where he was shifted to cornerback, before returning to the Rams in ’91, his last year. Overall, as a kickoff returner he averaged 22.6 yards on 199 returns with four touchdowns. His pass receiving totals, all with the Rams, were 98 catches for 1791 yards (18.3 avg.) and 13 TDs. The 1985 season remained the only one in which he received All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

1963: Giants Trade Rosey Grier to Rams

On July 8, 1963 the New York Giants traded away one of the stalwart members of their defensive line by dealing DT Roosevelt “Rosey” Grier to the Los Angeles Rams for DT John LoVetere and a future draft pick.

The 6’5”, 290-pound Grier had been chosen by the Giants in the third round of the 1955 NFL draft out of Penn State. Except for the 1957 season, which he missed due to military service, Grier was part of an outstanding unit that included DT Dick Modzelewski and ends Andy Robustelli and Jim Katcavage. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection, received consensus first-team All-NFL honors in 1956, and gained at least some first- or second-team recognition after four other seasons. In 1962 Grier was an All-Eastern Conference choice by The Sporting News. Over the same course of time, the Giants consistently contended and won a NFL Championship while topping the Eastern Conference on five occasions. The tough and cohesive defense played a significant role in the club’s success.

However, there were concerns about age and the need for retooling. “At 31, Grier is about four years older than LoVetere,” explained New York’s Head Coach Allie Sherman. Sherman also expressed the desire to use the draft choice obtained from the Rams in dealing for a veteran running back, which failed to materialize (it ended up being a fourth-round choice in 1964 that was used to take Ohio State FB Matt Snell, who chose to sign with New York’s AFL club, the Jets).

In Los Angeles, Grier was reunited with a former Giants teammate, Harland Svare, who was now commencing his first full season as head coach of the Rams. He moved directly into the starting lineup alongside second-year DT Merlin Olsen and flanked by ends Dave “Deacon” Jones, in his third season, and Lamar Lundy, a 28-year-old veteran, putting Grier as the senior member in the midst of another formidable unit. But the remainder of the defense, while containing some good young players, was not so impressive, nor was the offense, and the team as a whole was coming off of a miserable 1-12-1 record in 1962, its fourth straight under .500. Svare had been promoted to head coach during the season.

The club improved to 5-9 in ’63 and the line, now containing Grier, remained the best part of the defense and led the NFL in allowing the fewest rushing yards in 1964, although the Rams finished once more with a losing record. Yet another disappointing year in ’65, in which Grier was beginning to show his age at 33 but was also still tough against the run, led to the dismissal of Svare and the hiring of George Allen, who had been an outstanding defensive coach with the Bears.

Under Allen’s guidance, the Rams improved to 8-6 in 1966 and were poised for further improvement. However, Grier went down with a torn Achilles tendon in the preseason that cost him the entire year and DT Roger Brown was obtained from Detroit to fill his place. LA went on to reach the postseason for the first time since 1955 with a gaudy 11-1-2 mark in ’67, and the “Fearsome Foursome” of Jones, Olsen, Brown, and Lundy played a key role in the success.

While it was anticipated that Grier would return to the Rams in 1968, he announced his retirement in July, moving on to a full-time entertainment career. Over the course of 11 seasons in the NFL, four with the Rams, he appeared in 141 regular season games and was a solid contributor to excellent defensive lines with two clubs. While sacks were not yet an officially-compiled statistic, Grier has been unofficially credited with 21 during his four active years with the Rams, with a high of seven in 1966.

As for the player the Giants obtained for Grier, the 27-year-old LoVetere (pictured at left), who was 6’4” and weighed 285 pounds, attended Compton Junior College but didn’t play football collegiately although he did play with distinction in the service for two years and was signed by the Rams in 1959. An early proponent of weight training, he was both strong and fast. LoVetere performed well, and in 1960 blocked five kicks, but ran afoul of Svare’s predecessor, Bob Waterfield, and lost his starting job.

LoVetere settled into Grier’s spot in the defensive line (he even wore the same number 76) and was named to the Pro Bowl as the Giants won a third consecutive Eastern Conference title in 1963. However, time finally caught up with the club and the bottom dropped out in ’64. It caught up to LoVetere as well, who appeared in just 12 games combined in 1964 and ’65 due to, first, a broken leg and then a knee injury that required surgery and proved to be career-ending.

1966: Rams Obtain Irv Cross from Eagles

On June 8, 1966, while the main focus of pro football followers was on the announcement of the AFL-NFL merger, the Philadelphia Eagles parted ways with Pro Bowl CB Irv Cross, who was sent to the Los Angeles Rams for DB Aaron Martin and HB/flanker Willie Brown.

It was the second trade by the Eagles to the Rams of a disgruntled defensive Pro Bowler during the turbulent offseason as discontent rose against Head Coach/GM Joe Kuharich. LB Maxie Baughan’s demand to be sent elsewhere was accommodated several weeks earlier. The 26-year-old Cross had been with the Eagles for five seasons, but threatened to quit unless traded.

Drafted by the Eagles in the seventh round out of Northwestern in 1961, Cross was thrust into the starting lineup when star CB Tom Brookshier suffered a broken leg in the eighth game. He intercepted two passes, recovered two fumbles, and suffered three concussions during the season. Cross remained in the starting lineup in 1962 and showed improvement as he intercepted five passes. By 1964, he was chosen to the Pro Bowl for the first of two consecutive seasons and was noted for his tackling ability as well as coverage skills. Thus far with the Eagles, he had intercepted 15 passes, one of which he returned for a 94-yard touchdown. He also was Philadelphia’s primary kick returner in ’65, running back 25 kickoffs for a 26.5-yard average and 14 punts at a 5.6-yard rate.

As for the players the Eagles received for Cross, Willie Brown was 24 and a third-year player who was drafted by the Rams in the third round in 1964 out of USC. He had primarily been used to return kicks and, as a halfback, rushed for 133 yards on 44 carries in ‘65. The Eagles had hopes of using him as a flanker. Aaron Martin, also 24, went undrafted out of North Carolina College and was signed by the Dallas Cowboys in 1964, who tried him on offense, but was released during the preseason after which the Rams picked him up. He started the ’65 season at cornerback and intercepted two passes before suffering a broken left arm in the fourth game that sidelined him for the remainder of the year.

The Rams, coming off of a 4-10 record (their seventh straight losing season) had a new head coach in the defense-minded George Allen, formerly an assistant under George Halas with the Bears (who did not let him go without a court battle). Allen inherited an excellent defensive line but the remainder of the unit needed bolstering. The addition of Baughan at outside linebacker was a plus and it was hoped that Cross could help in a defensive backfield that had one star in FS Ed Meador and inexperienced players at the other positions. 

Cross proved to be a good fit at right cornerback for the Rams, who improved to 8-6 in their first year under Coach Allen. He paired up well with young CB Clancy Williams on the other side and, while he intercepted only one pass, he returned it 60 yards for a touchdown, and continued to impress with his tackling.

Cross was with Los Angeles for three seasons, and with the outstanding defense leading the way, the Rams went 11-1-2 in 1967, reaching the postseason for the first time since 1955, and 10-3-1 in ’68. He intercepted a total of six passes and was also used to return kicks, averaging 7.5 yards running back 29 punts and 30.1 yards on 16 kickoff returns.

Cross was traded back to the Eagles in 1969 in the deal that brought All-Pro OT Bob Brown to LA. He was a player/coach in his final season, and after retiring as a player was an assistant coach in 1970 before moving to the broadcast booth. He became a fixture on "The NFL Today" on CBS from 1975 to ’89.  

As for the Eagles, the result of the transaction was disappointing. Willie Brown lasted one year with the club, catching no passes and returning a handful of kicks with mediocre results. Aaron Martin spent two seasons with Philadelphia, intercepted two passes and returned a punt for a touchdown, but was nothing special in the defensive backfield.

Highlighted Year: Bob Boyd, 1954

Offensive End, Los Angeles Rams

Age: 26

4^th season in pro football & with Rams

College: Loyola Marymount

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 200

Prelude:

Boyd was a versatile athlete in college (track & field and boxing as well as football) and was the NCAA champion in the 100-yard dash as a senior. Undrafted by the NFL, he signed with the Rams in 1950 and was a backup among a talented group of receivers during his first two seasons, catching a total of 18 passes for 348 yards (19.3 avg.) and five touchdowns. After missing the ’52 season due to military service, Boyd broke out in 1953 with 24 pass receptions for 548 yards and a league-leading 22.8 yards per catch.

1954 Season Summary

Appeared in all 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 53 [3] 

Most receptions, game – 8 (for 128 yds.) at Detroit 10/10, (for 131 yds.) vs. Chi. Bears 10/24

Yards – 1212 [1]

Most yards, game – 157 (on 5 catches) vs. San Francisco 10/3

Average gain – 22.9 [2]

TDs – 6 [11, tied with Dorne Dibble & Ray Mathews]

Scoring

TDs – 6 [20, tied with five others]

Points – 36

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP, NY Daily News

2^nd team All-NFL: UPI

Pro Bowl

Rams went 6-5-1 to finish fourth in the NFL Western Conference while leading the league in total yards (5187).

Aftermath:

Boyd’s production dropped in 1955 as he missed five games with a knee injury, ending up with just 22 catches for 383 yards (17.4 avg.) and three touchdowns. He played two more seasons, grabbing 30 passes for 586 yards (19.5 avg.) and 7 TDs in ’56 and 29 for 534 yards (18.4 avg.) in 1957. Overall, Boyd caught 176 passes for 3611 yards (20.5 avg.) and 28 touchdowns over the course of seven seasons and 79 games, all with the Rams. Noteworthy for the speed he brought to LA’s passing attack, the 1954 season was the only one in which Boyd received All-NFL and Pro Bowl honors.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Percentage, Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

Highlighted Year: Jim Benton, 1945

End, Cleveland Rams

Age: 29 (Sept. 25)

7^th season in pro football, 6^th with Rams

College: Arkansas

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 195

Prelude:

A star receiver at Arkansas, where he caught 48 passes for 814 yards as a senior in 1937, Benton was chosen by the Rams in the second round of the 1938 NFL draft. His 19.9-yard average on 21 catches as a rookie led the league and he topped the NFL with seven TDs among his 27 receptions in ’39, when he was a second-team All-NFL choice and selected to the Pro All-Star Game (predecessor to the Pro Bowl). Benton took a year off in 1941 to coach high school football in his native Arkansas, but he rejoined the team in ’42. Due to the Rams suspending play for a year in 1943, Benton played for the Chicago Bears and, while his numbers dropped off, he was a key receiver in clutch situations for the NFL title-winning club. He rejoined the Rams in ’44 and achieved new personal highs with 39 catches for 505 yards.

1945 Season Summary

Appeared in 9 of 10 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 45 [2] 

Most receptions, game – 10 (for 303 yds.) at Detroit 11/22

Yards – 1067 [1]

Most yards, game – 303 (on 10 catches) at Detroit 11/22

Average gain – 23.7 [3]

TDs – 8 [3]

300-yard receiving games – 1

100-yard receiving games – 5

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 3

Yards – 16

Average per return – 5.3

TDs – 0

Longest return – 10 yards

Scoring

TDs – 8 [5, tied with Ted Fritsch & Fred Gehrke]

Points – 48 [7, tied with Fred Gehrke]

Postseason: 1 G (NFL Championship vs. Washington)

Pass receptions – 9

Pass receiving yards – 125

Average yards per reception – 13.9

Pass receiving TDs – 1

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP, Chicago Herald-American, Pro Football Illustrated, NY Daily News

2^nd team All-NFL: INS, UPI

Rams went 9-1 to finish first in the NFL Western Division while leading the league in rushing yards (1714). Won NFL Championship over Washington Redskins (15-14).

Aftermath:

With the franchise moving from Cleveland to Los Angeles, Benton followed up his outstanding 1945 season by leading the NFL in both pass receptions (63) as well as receiving yards (981) in ’46. He was again a consensus first-team All-NFL selection. Benton played one more season for the Rams in 1947, catching 35 passes for 511 yards (14.6 avg.) and six TDs. Overall, over nine seasons he caught 288 passes for 4801 yards (16.7 avg.) and 45 touchdowns, with all but 13 receptions, 235 yards, and three TDs occurring while with the Rams. Benton was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection twice and received at least some second-team honors following two other seasons. He was chosen to the NFL All-1940s team selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well as the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. Benton’s NFL single-game record of 303 pass receiving yards lasted until 1985.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970