John Hadl, Rams QB - RIP

[LARAMSinFeb.]

The Rams should’ve hauled a couple sb trophies out of the 70s. Too many weird, unfortunate things would happen come the playoffs.

 

[David Ray]

I became a true Ram fan in 73 at 7 in September. I loved John Hadl..RIP Big John it was a pleasure to watch you perform

Canton or bust

Somewhere in a room in Canton, Ohio, a small gathering of men will sit around a table during the third weekend of August and discuss the Hall of Fame candidacy of a number of players who have been out of the NFL for at least 25 years.

www2.ljworld.com

 

[Loyal]

I remember rattling down I-5 with my Dad driving the F-150 pick up and John Hadl passing the ball as relayed by the announcer.. It was a hot day but the breeze from the open windows was fine and it seemed like that 1973 season would be the best ever.... RIP John Hadl.

 

[den-the-coach]

Yeah crazy because Otto Stowe was the guy for the Cowboys early in the season and when he got hurt Drew Pearson took his place and had that winning catch in the playoffs. Rams DBs that year.... the weak spot. Steve Preece was like Taylor Rapp. Okay maybe not that bad.

So right about the Secondary of the Rams in 73, in 74 besides replacing Hadl with James Harris (Hadl hurt his back and his throws were never the same) the Rams replaced Steve Preece with Bill Simpson, which was a huge upgrade and CB Eddie McMillian with Al Clark.

 

[thirteen28]

Hadl was, if I remember correctly, the last QB to wear a number higher than 19. And that 21 jersey looked bad ass.

 

[den-the-coach]

Hadl was, if I remember correctly, the last QB to wear a number higher than 19. And that 21 jersey looked bad ass.

You’re damn right it did

 

[Tano]

So right about the Secondary of the Rams in 73, in 74 besides replacing Hadl with James Harris (Hadl hurt his back and his throws were never the same) the Rams replaced Steve Preece with Bill Simpson, which was a huge upgrade and CB Eddie McMillian with Al Clark.

Bill Simpson was awesome - what happened to 1979 - he wasn't on any team in 1979

 

[den-the-coach]

Bill Simpson was awesome - what happened to 1979 - he wasn't on any team in 1979

His knees could not hold up, he was injured in 79 and missed the whole season. Did end up with Knox & the Bills in 1980 and his last year was in 1982.

 

[Corbin]

Wow, i know little of Hadl outside he was a Rams QB in the 70’s. Absolutely love your stories about old Rams games, family and memories to Hadl etc, and how peoples Ramdoms started. Things that aren’t in any webpage that are lost with people you won’t know unless told from those that lived through it.

A big reason I miss Davefan51, he always explained old seasons/games/experiences in detail that you’d have no way of knowing otherwise.

These are a mystique and intrigue me greatly! Thankyou to those that shared! Maybe one day i will have the honor to pass part of your knowledge to future Rams fans.

 

[BonifayRam]

John Hadl has one of the best RB units & OL units working with him ever. Rams carried 7 RB's on the roster back then.

OL
Tom Mack
John Williams
Joe Scibelli
Charlie Cowan
Ken Iman
Rich Saul
Harry Schuh

RB
Lawrence McCutcheon
Les Josephson
Tony Baker
Jim Bertelsen
Cullen Bryant
Larry Smith

 

[David Ray]

His knees could not hold up, he was injured in 79 and missed the whole season. Did end up with Knox & the Bills in 1980 and his last year was in 1982.

If his knees hadn't broken down, I think he would have caught Bradshaw's pass with nothing but green grass in front of him on 20 JAN 1980.

 

[den-the-coach]

If his knees hadn't broken down, I think he would have caught Bradshaw's pass with nothing but green grass in front of him on 20 JAN 1980.

That was Nolan Cromwell, was it not?

 

[Tano]

That was Nolan Cromwell, was it not?

Yep - that was a great player too.

 

[den-the-coach]

Yep - that was a great player too.

Ironically Cromwell donned #21 as well.

 

[Allen2McVay]

If his knees hadn't broken down, I think he would have caught Bradshaw's pass with nothing but green grass in front of him on 20 JAN 1980.

Bill Simpson did not play in the 1979 Super Bowl. Elmendorf and Cromwell.

And, you're right. Cromwell should have had the interception.

 

[David Ray]

That was Nolan Cromwell, was it not?

Yes, the point was Cromwell dropped the ball. If Simpson had been the FS in that spot, I think the RAMS put away Pittsburgh.

 

[David Ray]

Bill Simpson did not play in the 1979 Super Bowl. Elmendorf and Cromwell.

And, you're right. Cromwell should have had the interception.

The point was Simpson would have had it, like the two picks he got in the playoffs the year before against Tarkenton.

 

[den-the-coach]

Yes, the point was Cromwell dropped the ball. If Simpson had been the FS in that spot, I think the RAMS put away Pittsburgh.

IDK, Cromwell was one hell of a safety too, but Simpson did have a knack for intercepting passes, that's for sure.

 

[Tano]

John Hadl has one of the best RB units & OL units working with him ever. Rams carried 7 RB's on the roster back then.

OL
Tom Mack
John Williams
Joe Scibelli
Charlie Cowan
Ken Iman
Rich Saul
Harry Schuh

RB
Lawrence McCutcheon
Les Josephson
Tony Baker
Jim Bertelsen
Cullen Bryant
Larry Smith

Tony TD Baker

One of the best running backs inside the 5 yard line

 

[Loyal]

IDK, Cromwell was one hell of a safety too, but Simpson did have a knack for intercepting passes, that's for sure.

Cromwell was a good to great safety, imo.