St. Louis Rams

Neal — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 15:59:11 +0000

The St. Louis Rams are one the oldest franchises in the NFL starting out in Cleveland in 1937. The Rams have had a up and down roller coaster of history from worst team in the league to the best almost over night. In their first six seasons the Rams never produced a .500 or better. In 1943 the Rams were put on the shelf do to man shortages because of World War II. When the Rams resumed their play they finally had a winning season in 1945 defeating the Washington Redskins 15-14 winning the NFL Championship. That games marked the end of the Rams stay in Cleveland and in when Dan Reeves, now owner, would move the team to Los Angeles in 1946. During the Rams first few years in L.A. they suffered serious financial loses do to the competition form the All American Football Conference, who had the Los Angeles Dons. After the AFC disbanded in 1949, the Rams were the only football team in town and improved greatly with winning seasons.The Rams would continue their success in the 1950′s winning four Western Division titles and winning another NFL Championships in 1951 defeating the Cleveland Browns 24-17 in front of nearly 70,000 people. The Rams were known for their high scoring exciting brand of offense with players like wide receiver Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch and quarterback Norm Van Brocklin.

The Rams would return to more successful season in the early 1970′s with what was called the “Fearsome Foursome” defensive line which included Deacon Jones, Merlin Olson, Lamar Lundy, and Rosey Grier. The Fearsome Foursome were all inducted into the Football Hall of Fame being among the greatest defensive lines in football history. The Rams would win five more Western Division titles from 1973-1977 and would appear in Super Bowl XIV in 1979 losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty 31-19.

The Rams would call St. Louis home in 1995 after being in L.A. for nearly 50 years. It wasn’t long before St. Louis would win their own NFL Championship. In 1999, the Rams essentially came from no where with unknown quarterback leading the way and becoming the leagues Most Valuable Player and all-time great running back Marshall Faulk. The Rams beat the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV 23-16. Warner had one of the best seasons for a NFL quarterback in history throwing over 4,000 yards and 41 touchdown passes. The Rams were called the “Greatest show on turf” being they had a hogh powered offense which included wide receiver Isaac Bruce and wide receiver Torry Holt. The Rams would repeat as NFC Champions two seasons meeting the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI. The Rams were heavily favored with all their offensive weapons but lost 20-17 in one of the biggest Super Bowl upsets ever.

Since their last Super Bowl appearance, the Rams have only made the playoffs twice with only one playoff win coming in 2004. The St. Louis Rams are in the rebuilding mode being they are at the bottom of league in many major offensive categories, it is a far cry from the “Greatest show on turf” earlier in the decade. The St. Rams play in the NFC South which included the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and New Orleans Saints who all have had changes within the last few seasons. Being its one of the weakest divisions in football the Ram have a the opportunity in the future to improve on their dismal present.

NFL » St. Louis Rams

St. Louis Rams